The No. 4 spot on the draft board is still a premium draft selection, and the Patriots will have a crack at one of the top-four players in college football. It might make them less likely to trade the pick now out of fear of missing on a potential game-changer right out of the gates.

The NFL's 18 teams that missed the playoffs can turn their attention to the draft. How might the top picks play out come April?

Speaking of having a man—the Patriots, and whoever will be coaching them, need to build around last year’s third overall pick Drake Maye. So, this pick could send the 22-year-old some much-needed protection or a much-needed go-to target.