Patriots predicted to make blockbuster trade with Saints to land Shedeur Sanders in NOLA

The New England Patriots have the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. They could move down in the draft if they see an opportunity to add picks and still land a player they want.

The Patriots' No.4 pick has become more valuable as reports of the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants passing on Shedeur Sanders have started to surface. That means the fourth overall pick could be the pick to target if a team like the New Orleans Saints wants to trade up and secure a quarterback. USA Today's Christian D'Andrea predicted the Patriots would make this trade to move down to No.9:

• Patriots receive: No.9 overall pick, No.40 overall pick and 2026 third-round pick
• Saints receive: No.4 overall pick and 2026 fourth-round pick

"With the Giants passing on a quarterback with the No. 3 pick, the Saints could wait and see if Sanders slips to the ninth overall pick," wrote D'Andrea. "But the New York Jets have only a stopgap solution behind center with Justin Fields and select two slots before the Saints are scheduled. General manager Mickey Loomis is in need of a spark to revive a moribund franchise (and undo some of the damage his salary cap gymnastics have created), he deals past the Jets and helps a depleted Patriots franchise add young talent later in the draft."

The Saints would be moving up five spots to secure Sanders as their franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, D'Andrea predicted the Patriots would select Will Campbell at No.9. Many mock drafts have Campbell going to the Patriots at No.4.

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"Instead of taking Campbell at No. 4, the Patriots get him at No. 9 ... along with a bonus top-40 pick and a favorable 2026 mid-draft pick swap," wrote D'Andrea. "That's the ideal scenario if the worst-case draft order takes Hunter and Carter off the board before their pick comes due. While it means missing out on a dynamic talent like Warren, it still serves Drake Maye in a valuable way."

However, in this scenario, they would move down five spots and still get him. They would also be adding another pick early on Day 2, which they could use to add a another pass catcher for Drake Maye.

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