He believes Abdul Carter could take New England's defense to "another level." The post Mel Kiper Jr. has Patriots selecting Penn State star at No. 4 appeared first on Boston.com.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 31: Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a second half touchdown with Tyler Morris #8 while playing the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Michigan football set a program record with 13 NFL draft picks last season and this year could lead all NCAA teams in first round selections.

Offensive line is a priority for the Dolphins, but it’s hard to argue with Mel Kiper’s solution for the massive hole in Miami’s secondary.

The Bengals have bigger needs, regardless. The next pick in Kiper’s mock is a guard prospect in Armand Membou. The one after that is a safety, Nick Emmanwori. A few picks later, top tight end Colston Loveland. Later in the round? Pass-rusher Nic Scourton.

In the latest mock from our Christian D’Andrea — a top-five mini-mock — he had the Browns taking Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders at quarterback. But in Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock of the year for ESPN, he had Sanders’ teammate Travis Hunter going to Cleveland and Sanders going to the New York Giants at No. 3.

With the regular season behind the New England Patriots, the team is now shifting its focus to free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. Some have wondered if the Patriots would take a wide receiver or left tackle with the No.

The New England Patriots need to surround young quarterback Drake Maye with a much better offensive line and more high-end talent at the skill positions on offense going into next season, but that doesn’t mean they should totally ignore defense with the No.