Patriots stunning draft trade prediction flips Ashton Jeanty for 1,300-yard receiver

Anyone who doesn't believe a surprise is a possibility for the New England Patriots' first-round pick anymore is sorely mistaken.

Sure, there's a good chance the Patriots select LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell fourth overall. But until that pick arrives and New England hears what other teams might be willing to give them for their selection, there should be no proclamations of certainty.

The most likely player that teams will covet with the Patriots' pick is running back Ashton Jeanty, who racked up 2,600 rushing yards as a junior at Boise State. But will any team want him badly enough to force New England's hand?

One NFL writer believes the Chicago Bears will be that team. And that same writer's prediction for the Patriots' eventual first-round selection is something of a surprise.

On Thursday, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso predicted that the Patriots would trade the fourth pick to Chicago for the 10th pick, then select Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to bolster the receiving corps around quarterback Drake Maye.

"The Patriots get a big-bodied "X" receiver for Year 2 of the Drake Maye era," Trapasso wrote of the McMillan pick.

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"Head coach Mike Vrabel would lean in this direction after his time in Tennessee with early-career A.J. Brown. Plus, New England gets one of Chicago's second-round picks (No. 39) and a 2026 second-round selection in the trade back."

McMillan, 22, put up 1,319 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this season for the Wildcats. He's 6-foot-5 with a 34-inch vertical, so his catch radius would be a major boon to Maye's confidence as a second-year passer.

Of course, this scenario would leave the Patriots without a surefire solution at left tackle. But depending on the return from Chicago, it may be hard to say no to extra picks.

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