In this year’s draft, the New England Patriots found themselves on the receiving end of such a play. The Patriots had their sights set on South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette, but the Buffalo Bills ensured that their divisional rivals wouldn’t land their desired target.
New England Patriots Draft Strategy and Unfulfilled Ambitions
After selecting quarterback Drake Maye as the third overall pick, the Patriots focused their second-round strategy on providing Maye with a solid target. They eyed South Carolina’s Xavier Legette, hoping he’d still be available when they selected at No. 34.
But the Buffalo Bills swooped in to trade down with the Carolina Panthers, who took Legette at No. 32, dashing New England’s hopes. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, “The Patriots were hoping that one receiver either fell to them in the second round at the No. 34 spot or was available via a trade-up was South Carolina’s Xavier Legette.
With Legette off the board, New England traded down to No. 37, selecting Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk instead. While Polk was rated among the top receivers on their draft board, it was clear that the Patriots had higher hopes for Legette.
A Test of Timing and Control
The Patriots learned a hard lesson in how little control teams truly wield when they’re not on the clock. Their preference for Legette was overruled by the Bills’ savvy maneuvering. This isn’t an uncommon story in the NFL Draft, where timing and negotiation are crucial factors.
In a notable example, the Philadelphia Eagles engineered a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to select Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith right before the New York Giants could grab him in 2021. The Patriots are only the latest team to fall victim to this strategy.
“With the 5th Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, The New England Patriots select; Luther Burden III , WR, Missouri pic.twitter.com/tVXI6a8GRt
— RodeoLuvr (@RodeoLuvr) April 30, 2024
Ja’Lynn Polk Silver Lining for the New England Patriots
Although New England missed out on Legette, the team still managed to secure an exciting prospect in Ja’Lynn Polk. In his final season at Washington, Polk tallied 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns, helping the Huskies reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Polk’s stats and potential chemistry with Drake Maye offer the Patriots promising offensive depth, even if he wasn’t the team’s first choice.
Xavier Legette’s Potential in Carolina
Xavier Legette, meanwhile, enters a Carolina Panthers team eager for offensive upgrades. Legette, who had a standout season at South Carolina with 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns, will join a receiver corps featuring Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen. His immediate impact is expected to help bolster a struggling offense and aid quarterback Bryce Young’s development.
Looking Forward
The rivalry between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills will only intensify following this draft saga. The Patriots will be watching closely to see how Legette performs in Carolina, while they’ll work to integrate Polk into their offensive scheme. For now, this NFL Draft story serves as a reminder that a team’s plans can be undone in the blink of an eye by a savvy opponent.
