That means Milton could be preparing to make his first appearance in an NFL regular season game. On the Patriots’ list of inactives, there were a total of six players ruled out for the game, including cornerback Christian Gonzalez and tight end Hunter Henry.

Joe Milton III passed for a touchdown and ran for another in his NFL debut, and the New England Patriots cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft with a 23-16 win over the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills.

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 have been called out consistently for beating the Buffalo Bills in the season finale and losing the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. Quarterback Joe Milton III, who played for most of the game,

Joe Milton III offered his perspective on fans criticizing the Patriots for not losing their final game of the season.

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton, a sixth round selection by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, made his first career pro start in the final week of the 2024 regular season. Milton led the Patriots to a 23-16 win against the Buffalo Bills.

The New England Patriots entered last weekend with the first-overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but their 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills dropped them down to fourth in the draft order. Patriots fans who coveted that top selection,