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Even with the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, things haven't changed for the New England Patriots ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.
They still need help at receiver, and a glaring hole remains at left tackle. The defensive overhaul in free agency has been exceptional, but the offense has more questions than answers.
Of course, the Patriots are sitting pretty with the No. 4 overall pick of the draft. They also have an early second-round pick that might as well count as a late first. The pieces are there to make the offense more than respectable in the 2025 season.
It could require Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf to get aggressive on the draft board. They've already shown they clearly aren't afraid of making big moves, considering their sense of urgency in free agency.
That same level of aggression should continue on draft night. Here's our latest seven-round mock draft for the Patriots:
The Patriots need help at offensive tackle, and LSU's Will Campbell should be a major consideration with this pick, unless Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter are available. Picking the best available player on the board should outweigh any need for New England.
Hunter joining Stefon Diggs would completely transform the Patriots' offense. Quarterback Drake Maye would suddenly have two receivers capable of separating and making plays. It would be a night and day change from the lackluster receiving options Maye had last season.
Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. is arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft. However, there's a chance he could slide down the board and create a trade-up scenario for the tackle-needy Patriots.
This is a best-case scenario with the team taking an elite receiving weapon early and doubling up late to still get a top-tier option at tackle. If things fall this way, Patriots fans will leave happy on Day 1 knowing the team addressed the two biggest needs on the roster.
The offensive tackle position in New England was too bad to feel comfortable with one solution. So the Patriots double-dip here by selecting Boston College's Ozzy Trapilo.
The combination of Kelvin Banks Jr. and Trapilo is a massive depth chart upgrade over last season. It also gives the team a solid Plan B option if someone gets injured. Trapilo is a gritty blocker with starter potential in the trenches.
There is too much talent at tight end for the Patriots to completely pass on selecting one in this draft.
Granted, they could have also gone with a running back in this spot, but personally, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to move on from Rhamondre Stevenson, who is still a talented back.
Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr. joining an offense with Stefon Diggs and Travis Hunter would be fun right out of the gates. Fannin is a matchup nightmare and a legitimate playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could do some scary things with a player like that in his offense.
The Patriots could still use help on the edge, even after their many defensive acquisitions. Don't be surprised if they go the veteran route, particularly with players like Matthew Judon and Za'Darius Smith still on the free agent market.
They probably still won't waste an opportunity to add a young pass-rusher through the draft. In this mock draft, they settle on Miami edge rusher Tyler Barron, a tone-setting defender who wins with skill over God-given abilities.
There's no flash to his game, but he's a consistent player capable of wreaking havoc as a pure pass-rusher from time to time.
Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II was a cheat code in 2023. He racked up 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns in one season.
However, he regressed significantly in 2024, and it ultimately led to his plummeting draft stock. It doesn't help matters that he's coming out of a deep running back class. He's a violent downhill runner with the ability to serve as a strong depth option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
There's also serious upside for him as a future starter if Stevenson continues to struggle.
Florida's Jason Marshall Jr. is a sticky cornerback with the ability and confidence to man-up and win one-on-ones.
He's a tough press corner who would benefit greatly from playing behind two top-tier NFL defensive backs in Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.
Adding Marshall to an already talented cornerback room should set up a highly competitive summer in the defensive backfield.
Oregon State's Joshua Gray has incredible potential due to his ridiculous athleticism at the guard position. The Patriots should already be set with Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson and Cole Strange.
But getting a player with Gray's potential and developing him behind the scenes could pay off in a major way. Gray is one of the more intriguing late-round fliers on the draft board.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 7-round mock draft: Patriots keep loading up after Stefon Diggs move
Continue reading...
They still need help at receiver, and a glaring hole remains at left tackle. The defensive overhaul in free agency has been exceptional, but the offense has more questions than answers.
Of course, the Patriots are sitting pretty with the No. 4 overall pick of the draft. They also have an early second-round pick that might as well count as a late first. The pieces are there to make the offense more than respectable in the 2025 season.
It could require Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf to get aggressive on the draft board. They've already shown they clearly aren't afraid of making big moves, considering their sense of urgency in free agency.
That same level of aggression should continue on draft night. Here's our latest seven-round mock draft for the Patriots:
Round 1, pick No. 4: Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado
The Patriots need help at offensive tackle, and LSU's Will Campbell should be a major consideration with this pick, unless Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter are available. Picking the best available player on the board should outweigh any need for New England.
Hunter joining Stefon Diggs would completely transform the Patriots' offense. Quarterback Drake Maye would suddenly have two receivers capable of separating and making plays. It would be a night and day change from the lackluster receiving options Maye had last season.
TRADE! Round 1, pick No. 25: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Patriots get: No. 25 pick
- Houston Texans get: No. 38 pick, No. 77 pick
Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. is arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft. However, there's a chance he could slide down the board and create a trade-up scenario for the tackle-needy Patriots.
This is a best-case scenario with the team taking an elite receiving weapon early and doubling up late to still get a top-tier option at tackle. If things fall this way, Patriots fans will leave happy on Day 1 knowing the team addressed the two biggest needs on the roster.
Round 3, pick No. 69: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
The offensive tackle position in New England was too bad to feel comfortable with one solution. So the Patriots double-dip here by selecting Boston College's Ozzy Trapilo.
The combination of Kelvin Banks Jr. and Trapilo is a massive depth chart upgrade over last season. It also gives the team a solid Plan B option if someone gets injured. Trapilo is a gritty blocker with starter potential in the trenches.
Round 4, pick No. 106: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
There is too much talent at tight end for the Patriots to completely pass on selecting one in this draft.
Granted, they could have also gone with a running back in this spot, but personally, I wouldn't be in such a hurry to move on from Rhamondre Stevenson, who is still a talented back.
Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr. joining an offense with Stefon Diggs and Travis Hunter would be fun right out of the gates. Fannin is a matchup nightmare and a legitimate playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could do some scary things with a player like that in his offense.
Round 5, pick No. 144: Tyler Barron, EDGE, Miami
The Patriots could still use help on the edge, even after their many defensive acquisitions. Don't be surprised if they go the veteran route, particularly with players like Matthew Judon and Za'Darius Smith still on the free agent market.
They probably still won't waste an opportunity to add a young pass-rusher through the draft. In this mock draft, they settle on Miami edge rusher Tyler Barron, a tone-setting defender who wins with skill over God-given abilities.
There's no flash to his game, but he's a consistent player capable of wreaking havoc as a pure pass-rusher from time to time.
Round 7, pick No. 217: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II was a cheat code in 2023. He racked up 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns in one season.
However, he regressed significantly in 2024, and it ultimately led to his plummeting draft stock. It doesn't help matters that he's coming out of a deep running back class. He's a violent downhill runner with the ability to serve as a strong depth option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
There's also serious upside for him as a future starter if Stevenson continues to struggle.
Round 7, pick No. 220: Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida
Florida's Jason Marshall Jr. is a sticky cornerback with the ability and confidence to man-up and win one-on-ones.
He's a tough press corner who would benefit greatly from playing behind two top-tier NFL defensive backs in Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.
Adding Marshall to an already talented cornerback room should set up a highly competitive summer in the defensive backfield.
Round 7, pick No. 238: Joshua Gray, G, Oregon State
Oregon State's Joshua Gray has incredible potential due to his ridiculous athleticism at the guard position. The Patriots should already be set with Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson and Cole Strange.
But getting a player with Gray's potential and developing him behind the scenes could pay off in a major way. Gray is one of the more intriguing late-round fliers on the draft board.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 7-round mock draft: Patriots keep loading up after Stefon Diggs move
Continue reading...
