How are they using their anti-trust power? They own he product and put the content out to bid for broadcast rights. In the case of the NFL network they decided to put their product on their own channel. If an MSO/CATV provider doesn’t want to carry their channel then that’s the provider’s decision. The games are what cause demand for the channel.
What team doesn’t have use for a 1st rounder? That pick has real value either to select a player for a deficient position or as an asset to trade. This year the Pats could have drafted a CB with the #7, a LB with the 31st pick then taken another player like a LB/OL with their second round pick. Losing that pick hurts more than you know. Last year