"Those guys are playing for their jobs." The post Brian Hoyer: Don’t expect Patriots, NFL players to ‘tank’ for draft picks appeared first on Boston.com.

Joe Milton scored two touchdowns after relieving a healthy Maye in the first quarter to push the Patriots to a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. As a result, though, the Patriots will hold pick No. 4 in the 2025 NFL Draft. A loss to the Bills would’ve given New England the No. 1 pick.

The cost of the New England Patriots' Week 18 win was the loss of a No. 1 pick. Joe Milton III went 22-of-29 for 241 yards with two total touchdowns on

The New England Patriots entered Sunday with a strong chance to earn the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Hosting the Buffalo Bills (who openly planned to rest their starters) at Gillette Stadium, the Pats just needed to lose one more time this year in order to have their pick of all the top prospects.

In the 2025 draft class, Boise State star Ashton Jeanty is good, but the Titans won’t be using the No. 1 pick on a running back. Instead, the focus shifts to the quarterback position. Does Tennessee see any of the QBs in this class worthy of the top pick? Does ownership put pressure on the front office to draft a quarterback?

Which position should the Patriots prioritize with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? Check out ESPN's latest mock draft projection.