The New England Patriots leapfrogged the New York Giants in the pecking order after the Giants earned a 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. New York’s win, along with New England’s 40-7 shellacking at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers, positions the Patriots to clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft should they lose to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18.

Naturally, the Patriots’ climb to the top selection has shaken up mock draft projections everywhere. New England spent the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on quarterback Drake Maye, and with the North Carolina product playing well in his first season, the Patriots aren’t going to spend the top selection on a quarterback.

That opens the door for prospects like Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Penn State’s Abdul Carter to draw consideration atop the draft. It also will create the possibility of a trade down should any quarterback-needy team, like the Giant or Las Vegas Raiders, fall in love with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Miami’s Cameron Ward or even a high-upside prospect like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.