At No.4, the Patriots are obviously expected to draft a top left tackle, like LSU’s Mason Graham, to support Drake Maye. Or, if luck is on their side, they could even land Penn State’s Abdul Carter. But there’s another way the Patriots could possibly help their first-year Pro Bowl QB. By drafting a pass catcher—that doesn’t necessarily need to be a receiver. With Stefon Diggs already in the receiver room, the Patriots don’t have a glaring need for a receiver for now. However, they could still bring a top pass catcher and give Maye an extra offensive weapon to throw at in his sophomore year. The one we are referring to is this year’s No.1 tight end hailing from Penn State.
Tyler Warren is being viewed as a top-10 draft prospect because of his monstrous stats last year. Having spent 5 years playing for the Nittany Lions, Warren snagged the John Mackay Award in his final year of college. 104 catches for 1,233 yards and 8 TDs—Warren was simply stoppable on the air. Even on the ground, Warren showed his incredible build and athleticism. Adding 218 rushing yards and 4 TDs for the Lions. Having already drawn comparisons to the Patriots’ legendary TE Rob Gronkowski, Warren is getting some serious attention.
He can not only run nightmarish routes for opposition defenses. But Warren can also block and use his size and quickness to his advantage like Gronk used to do. That’s why the Patriots Talk Podcast even called Warren for an exclusive interview. Sitting down with Tom E. Curran, Warren talked candidly about his probable QB in the NFL, Drake Maye. “People have said that we might be kind of wired similarly and be similar in some type of way. I think he’s a great quarterback, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him,” Warren said.
Tyler Warren on #Patriots QB Drake Maye:
“People have said that we might be kinda wired similarly… I think he’s a great quarterback and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
Warren adds that he has heard good things about Maye behind-the-scenes.
( Patriots Talk Podcast) pic.twitter.com/D3cdEXUEax
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 12, 2025
Well, those comparisons came on the basis of a simple guy persona that Warren and Maye carry around themselves. Both aren’t too social media savvy. They just like to play football and focus on doing it the right way. Considering the Patriots’ new OC Josh McDaniels had huge success with Gronk and Tom Brady in New England, maybe he could do the same with Maye and Warren. But the real question is, are they willing to take him?
Given that they already have Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper in their ranks, Warren’s place in the TE room needs to be determined. Obviously, he could add another versatile layer to the Patriots’ offense with his safe hands and strong legs. However, the final verdict lies on Mike Vrabel. While Vrabel ponders on the prospect of giving Maye a reliable tight end like Tom Brady had, they could capitalize on the Saints’ troubles. Derek Carr’s possible season-ending injury may change the Patriots’ draft plans.
Is Derek Carr’s injury a boon in disguise for the Patriots?
On Friday, Ian Rapoport’s bombshell report that Derek Carr may have suffered a broken shoulder didn’t just force the Saints into changing their draft plans. After choosing to restructure Carr’s $150M contract, the Saints probably thought they could ride out another storm with him. However, before that storm could even breach the shores of Louisiana, Carr had possibly eliminated himself. He is right now pondering whether to have surgery or not, throwing the Saints on the lookout for a QB.
Sep 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) shown on the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
So, with the Saints in search of an urgent replacement, they might get a helping hand from the Pats. Jordy McElroy of the Patriots Wire believes a draft-day trade between the Saints and the Patriots could possibly happen. “They currently own the No.9 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. And if Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders isn’t a top-three pick. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they start eyeing a possible trade with the New England Patriots to move up to No.4 on the draft board to get him,” McElroy wrote in his report. Considering the Patriots are in the hunt for a tackle or a receiver, an argument could be made.
If the Pats see Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter both off the board by the time they are on the clock, this trade could probably happen. Moving down the board with the Saints at No.4, New Orleans can easily get their QB. As for the Patriots, they will land multiple picks and No.9 overall. It could still be enough for them to get a top tackle or receiver while also filling other gaps on the roster. But will this trade happen? Well, it depends upon the Browns and the Giants. Their choice at No.2 and No.3 will dictate whether the Saints get their Sanders or the Pats their Carter or Hunter.
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