Newly hired New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel faces an important decision with the No. 4 overall pick this spring, and the latest 2025 NFL Draft projection has the franchise addressing the pass rush.

There is plenty to change for the new regime after a 4-13 season under former head coach Jerrod Mayo.

New England finished second-to-last in the league in total offense and dead-last in passing offense in 2024. While 2024 No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye showed promise as a rookie quarterback, the North Carolina product was without a clear No. 1 wide receiver.

Star tight end Hunter Henry led the team with 674 receiving yards and tied wideout DeMario Douglas for the team lead in receptions (66).

New offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could use a talented option to help Maye and the passing attack.

However, in Blake Brockermeyer’s latest mock draft for CBS Sports, the Patriots turn to the best player available in Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter.

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images In this scenario, Brockermeyer projects Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter landing to the Cleveland Browns at No. 3 overall, taking away arguably the top pass catcher in the class. It’s important to note that New England holds nine total picks and could add a talented receiver later in the draft if Carter is in play at No. 4.

After all, the unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year could be a major piece to getting things back on track. “The Patriots need to improve at the line of scrimmage on both sides, and Abdul Carter is an ideal place to start,” Brockermeyer wrote. ”

He is one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the draft and has barely scratched the surface of his potential.

Carter combines elite speed, twitch and explosiveness with polished counters and a devastating spin move.

He could be the steal of the draft and a game-wrecker in New England.” The Patriots finished 22nd in total defense under coordinator DeMarcus Covington and will begin a new era under former Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams.

Carter (6-foot-3, 252 pounds) led the nation in tackles for loss (24) with 12.0 sacks for a Penn State team that won a program-record 13 games and made the College Football Playoff semifinals.

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Additionally, Carter now has the second-best odds to become the No. 1 overall pick behind Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

Vrabel and Co. still have time left in the pre-draft process before making their first draft pick of the new regime. Vrabel and members of his staff are present at the Senior Bowl this week, with the combine (Feb. 27-March 2) around the corner.

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26.