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The New England Patriots had more holes than Camp Green Lake heading into the offseason. However, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and the front office made major improvements in free agency and created a solid foundation ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.
Championship teams are truly built through the draft. It's all about intense scouting, making correct evaluations and picking the right players to contribute on both sides of the ball. Losing Tom Brady hurt the Patriots badly, but the team has been crippled by multiple bad drafts.
This will be their chance to right the ship by drafting the right players and getting the franchise back to a competitive state. They already have a promising, young franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and Vrabel has created one of the more experienced and talented coaching staffs in the league.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler simulated a seven-round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams. We're going to review and grade each of his mock picks for the Patriots.
The Patriots desperately need help at left tackle, and LSU's Will Campbell is arguably the best offensive tackle in the entire draft class. With Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter both gone at No. 4, this is one of the safest picks for the Patriots on Day 1.
Grade: A
Who says the Patriots are done at receiver? Brugler has them selecting Iowa State's Jayden Higgins, who could serve as a big-bodied, downfield receiving target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. This would be another solid pick for a Patriots team showing some aggression right out of the gates in addressing the offensive holes on their roster.
Grade: A
Some people might not love this pick, but I can see the rationale behind it. Garrett Bradbury wasn't great in Minnesota, and there are more questions than answers surrounding the depth at center after the team released longtime captain David Andrews. Jared Wilson could give the team long-term stability along the offensive front.
Grade: B
This pick feels like a reach to me. Once again, I get the thinking behind the decision. The team signed Milton Williams to a blockbuster deal in free agency, but Christian Barmore remains questionable after being diagnosed with blood clots last summer and missing most of the 2024 season. Ty Robinson could be a nice addition up front, but there were other prospects on the board that I liked more at this point in the draft.
Grade: C
RJ Harvey would give the Patriots that explosive element in the offensive backfield, but he'd be starting off as the third option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. This draft pick might have been better used on players like Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker or Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, both of whom were still on the board when this pick was made.
Grade: C
The Patriots clearly need help on the edge, and South Carolina's Kyle Kennard is a plug-and-play talent. He could find success right out of the gates as purely a pass rusher with plenty of room left to grow. This is a potential impact player who could make a difference on Day 1.
Grade: A
This is a great draft class for tight ends, and the Patriots would do well to add one to their roster. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are both 30 years old, and New England could use another young tight end for the future. Mitchell Evans won't wow with his athleticism, but he was a consistent blocker and reliable receiving option for the Fighting Irish last season.
Grade: B-
I love the idea of an offensive line-heavy draft for the Patriots. Their ultimate goal should be about beefing up the trenches and protecting Drake Maye. It should also be about improving the run game. They still have two solid, capable backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. Having an underrated player with Garrett Dellinger's potential on their roster would help in the long run.
Grade: C+
Ryan Fitzgerald is one of the best kickers on the draft board, and he should be on the Patriots' radar. Veteran kicker Joey Slye signed with the Tennessee Titans in the offseason, and John Parker Romo is currently the only kicker left on the roster.
Grade: B+
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Grading every pick in Dane Brugler's 7-round mock draft for Patriots
Continue reading...
Championship teams are truly built through the draft. It's all about intense scouting, making correct evaluations and picking the right players to contribute on both sides of the ball. Losing Tom Brady hurt the Patriots badly, but the team has been crippled by multiple bad drafts.
This will be their chance to right the ship by drafting the right players and getting the franchise back to a competitive state. They already have a promising, young franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and Vrabel has created one of the more experienced and talented coaching staffs in the league.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler simulated a seven-round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams. We're going to review and grade each of his mock picks for the Patriots.
Round 1, No. 4: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots desperately need help at left tackle, and LSU's Will Campbell is arguably the best offensive tackle in the entire draft class. With Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter both gone at No. 4, this is one of the safest picks for the Patriots on Day 1.
Grade: A
Round 2, No. 38: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Who says the Patriots are done at receiver? Brugler has them selecting Iowa State's Jayden Higgins, who could serve as a big-bodied, downfield receiving target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. This would be another solid pick for a Patriots team showing some aggression right out of the gates in addressing the offensive holes on their roster.
Grade: A
Round 3, No. 69: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia
Some people might not love this pick, but I can see the rationale behind it. Garrett Bradbury wasn't great in Minnesota, and there are more questions than answers surrounding the depth at center after the team released longtime captain David Andrews. Jared Wilson could give the team long-term stability along the offensive front.
Grade: B
Round 3, No. 77: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
This pick feels like a reach to me. Once again, I get the thinking behind the decision. The team signed Milton Williams to a blockbuster deal in free agency, but Christian Barmore remains questionable after being diagnosed with blood clots last summer and missing most of the 2024 season. Ty Robinson could be a nice addition up front, but there were other prospects on the board that I liked more at this point in the draft.
Grade: C
Round 4, No. 106: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
RJ Harvey would give the Patriots that explosive element in the offensive backfield, but he'd be starting off as the third option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. This draft pick might have been better used on players like Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker or Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, both of whom were still on the board when this pick was made.
Grade: C
Round 5, No. 144: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
The Patriots clearly need help on the edge, and South Carolina's Kyle Kennard is a plug-and-play talent. He could find success right out of the gates as purely a pass rusher with plenty of room left to grow. This is a potential impact player who could make a difference on Day 1.
Grade: A
Round 5, No. 171: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
This is a great draft class for tight ends, and the Patriots would do well to add one to their roster. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are both 30 years old, and New England could use another young tight end for the future. Mitchell Evans won't wow with his athleticism, but he was a consistent blocker and reliable receiving option for the Fighting Irish last season.
Grade: B-
Round 7, No. 220: Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU
I love the idea of an offensive line-heavy draft for the Patriots. Their ultimate goal should be about beefing up the trenches and protecting Drake Maye. It should also be about improving the run game. They still have two solid, capable backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. Having an underrated player with Garrett Dellinger's potential on their roster would help in the long run.
Grade: C+
Round 7, No. 238: K Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State
Ryan Fitzgerald is one of the best kickers on the draft board, and he should be on the Patriots' radar. Veteran kicker Joey Slye signed with the Tennessee Titans in the offseason, and John Parker Romo is currently the only kicker left on the roster.
Grade: B+
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Grading every pick in Dane Brugler's 7-round mock draft for Patriots
Continue reading...
