Patriots Shut Down Draft Trade Talks Involving Joe Milton III
Patriots Shut Down Draft Trade Talks Involving Joe Milton. Dealing quarterback Joe Milton III for a fifth-round pick could give the New England Patriots the leverage needed to secure an additional first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft — a valuable asset they could use to address their glaring need at left tackle.
The idea was floated by Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal, who believes that Ohio State’s Josh Simmons might still be available late in the first round. Giardi suggests that by packaging the 171st pick (acquired in the Milton trade) with the 77th pick (a late third-rounder) and their second-round pick at No. 38, the Patriots could realistically move up to around the 25th overall pick. That position could allow them to draft Simmons or perhaps Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., both promising tackle prospects.
Adding Simmons could be particularly appealing to head coach Mike Vrabel, who, as an Ohio State alum, recently spent time evaluating him. Despite questions about Simmons’ “football character,” Vrabel’s interest is clear.
Whether those concerns impact the Patriots’ draft board remains to be seen. But trading Milton to the Dallas Cowboys to improve draft flexibility has given Vrabel and general manager Eliot Wolf some intriguing options. Moving back into the first round would be a smart strategy — especially if the Patriots already use their No. 4 overall pick to strengthen one side of the line.
Still, it’s possible New England won’t need to trade up if they use their top-five pick on LSU’s Will Campbell, a player Vrabel has publicly endorsed as a pro-ready tackle. If that’s the case, the Patriots could stick with their current draft order and target a wide receiver or edge rusher at the top of Round 2.
Giardi proposes a bolder scenario, however: selecting Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 4 pick. Carter, a high-upside defensive weapon, could offer elite pass-rushing potential — even after the Patriots added talent through free agency.
Alternatively, Colorado’s Travis Hunter — a two-way phenom at receiver and cornerback — is gaining traction as a potential Patriots target. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman believes Hunter could provide immediate support for second-year QB Drake Maye, regardless of where he lines up.
Landing Hunter, then trading back into the first round for an offensive lineman, would be a big win for the Patriots’ new leadership. In that light, parting with Milton — despite his raw arm talent — makes strategic sense.
Patriots Took Calculated Risk on Milton Trade
Trading Milton wasn’t without pushback. A sixth-round pick last year, Milton flashed elite physical tools that had him eyeing a starting job. But that mindset clashed with the team’s development plan for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
As Albert Breer of The MMQB told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Hardy, the Patriots aren’t seeking a QB competition — they’re looking for support for Maye. Breer added that the same message was communicated to veteran backup Joshua Dobbs, who joined the team to be the clear No. 2.
In the end, the Patriots essentially recouped the sixth-round pick they used on Milton. Whether that trade ends up criticized or praised depends on how effectively Vrabel and Wolf turn it into a meaningful draft-day upgrade. If they can parlay that value into a game-changing two-for-one draft scenario, it may be remembered as a savvy move by a regime looking to build a new foundation.
