Barth’s Patriots Mock Draft 1.0: Starting up front
Kicking off the official start of the 2025 NFL offseason with our first seven-round Patriots mock draft of the year.
With Super Bowl LIX now in the books, the 285 games of the 2024 NFL season have come and gone. The entire league is now officially on to the 2025 offseason.
The Patriots, of course, have already been busy with offseason activities. After the firing of Jerod Mayo immediately following their season finale in early January, the organization has rebuilt nearly its entire coaching staff – with new head coach Mike Vrabel also taking over final say on roster decisions.
Having that control, Vrabel and the front office staff have a lot of work ahead of them. Last year the Patriots’ overall roster talent was among the worst in the league.
Given that, there’s a number of different ways this Patriots offseason can go. Just about every position is a need, and some positions need more than one quality player.
That kind of open-endedness at this point makes this mock draft even more challenging than usual. The first mock draft of the year is usually the toughest because with so much ahead including free agency, the NFL Combine, and more, we have to work off of a number of assumptions. There’s more that goes into that this year than any season in recent memory.
Keeping that in mind, here are some guesses/assumptions that were made going into this Patriots mock draft (some others will be mixed in throughout the player descriptions as needed)…
- The Patriots make significant additions in the veteran market at positions where there’s the most talent available. That includes a pass rusher, free safety and boundary cornerback in free agency, and a wide receiver either via free agency or a trade. At the same time, they’re not able to make a notable addition from a weaker veteran tackle class.
- Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise leave in free agency after being among the few veterans not to get extensions last year, then playing decreased roles during the season. Austin Hooper remains with the team. Christian Barmore is back as well after dealing with blood clotting issues last year.
- Only one quarterback goes in the top three picks. Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are both off the board by the time the Patriots are on the clock.
One other assumption/projection will be making is the exact spot of the Day 3 picks. Currently Patriots own a fourth round pick, fifth round pick, and three seventh round picks. Those picks won’t be exactly slotted until the NFL officially awards compensatory picks (which usually happens in mid-March). In the meantime, we’ll be using the OverTheCap.com comp pick projections. The Patriots themselves are not projected to have any comp picks.
Alright, enough housekeeping. That brings us to the fourth overall pick. Let’s get started with Patriots Mock Draft 1.0…
Round 1, Pick 4:
OT Will Campbell, LSU
The assumptions continue right off the top here. Campbell looks like the most talented offensive lineman in this draft. He’s very advanced technically for a player who will be a 21-year-old rookie, and has the power and play strength to match at 6-foot-6, 323 pounds. Experts also praise his leadership ability.
But, the question is exactly where he’ll play in the NFL. He started for three years at left tackle at LSU, but there are some concerns that his arm length could have him moving inside to guard.
General consensus is that to play tackle in the NFL, players need to have an arm length of at least 33 inches in order to have the proper reach to defend the edge. Experts estimate Campbell to come it right around and potentially under that number when he’s officially measured at the NFL Combine (OL measurements will be Sunday, Mar. 2 this year, mark your calendars accordingly).
This benchmark has led to successful college tackles moving inside to guard in the NFL. One notable recent example is Peter Skoronski, who measured in at 32 1/4-inch arms in the 2023 draft. However players right on the line can stay at tackle with enough ability – there was speculation Rashawn Slater would have to move to guard after measuring in with exactly 33-inch arms in 2021, but he’s become a star tackle for the Chargers.
Campbell’s measurement will dictate his position and draft stock, but for now we’ll assume he hits that 33-inch mark. Campbell himself is doing the same – Dane Brugler of The Athletic shared last month he’s continuing to train as a tackle leading up to the draft.
It’s possible that by the time our next Patriots mock draft rolls around after the Combine Campbell’s arm measurement could come up short, and we’ll adjust then. But pending that Campbell has all the tools to be the plus-caliber left tackle the Patriots have been looking for for almost a decade now.
Trade!
Patriots get:
–24th overall pick (1st round)
Vikings get:
–38th overall pick (2nd round)
–77th overall pick (3rd round)
After selecting Drake Maye third overall last year, the Patriots weren’t ready to be done in the first round of the draft. They reportedly tried to trade back into the first round for both tackles and receivers, but ultimately couldn’t get a deal done.
This year, with more trade chips at their disposal, they make the move by sending their own second round pick and the pick they got from the Matthew Judon trade to Minnesota. The Vikings are a likely partner for such a trade, given they currently hold just four picks in this year’s draft and are projected to get just one more comp pick.
The deal mirrors a couple of trades from recent drafts, such as a 2022 deal between the Jets and Titans and the trade the Patriots made in 2020 with the Chargers when they moved out of the first round.
Round 1, Pick 24 (from MIN):
EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
During his introductory press conference Vrabel was asked about his priorities for the offseason and early in his answer mentioned being able to “protect” the quarterback and “disrupt” opposing quarterbacks. The Patriots checked one of those boxes with their first pick, now it’s time to check the other.
By drafting Green the Patriots get an athletic, twitchy, aggressive, high motor pass rusher who already has an advanced rush plan. Green led all of FBS last year with 17 sacks in 13 games.
Green is a little bit undersized for a prototypical edge rusher, but that’s not something that should dissuade this Patriots coaching staff from taking him. He checked in at the Senior Bowl at 6-foot-3, 251 pounds. That’s a similar build to Harold Landry, who led the Titans with 41.5 sacks during Vrabel’s tenure in Tennessee.
In New England Green would join a front with Keion White, Christian Barmore, Anfernee Jennings, and our projected free agent signing (Josh Sweat?). That group would be a little bit smaller than a typical Patriots front, but a group that would translate well to the Patriots’ reported new defensive system.
This scenario has Green falling to the 24th pick for the Patriots. That’s towards the lower end of his current projected range, but it’s very possible that Green will end up having a ‘small school slide’ similar to that of Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo (who, like Green, had an outstanding Senior Bowl) last year. Heading into the draft most projections had Mitchell going somewhere in the mid-teens, but he ended up dropping to 22nd to the Eagles.
Even if Green doesn’t fall, if the Patriots plan on taking an edge rusher with their second pick they’ll have options in this range. The 20-50 range is a sweet spot for pass rushers in this draft with players like Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau from Ohio State, Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M, Princely Umanmielen from Ole Miss, Landon Jackson from Arkansas, Kyle Kennard from South Carolina, and Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College.
Round 3, Pick 69:
LB Chris Paul, Ole Miss
Green fills one role in Vrabel’s defensive scheme, but there’s more additions that need to be made too. In addition to getting pass rushers, the Patriots will need to find an off-ball linebacker who can be a factor in coverage to play next to Ja’Whaun Bentley.
Two years ago that role was held by Mack Wilson, and the Patriots missed his presence last year. That role will only be bigger in 2025 and turn into more of a full-time position, so the team should show urgency in addressing the need.
They do so with a top-100 pick here, taking Paul in the third round. Paul was a two-year contributor at Arkansas before transferring to Ole Miss last year and playing in the middle of the Rebels’ defense. He has the athleticism to cover both running backs and tight ends, and showed improved ball skills last year with four pass breakups and an interception in 33 targets.
Paul’s instincts against the run will improve, but he has the range to play sideline to sideline. Plus, playing next to Bentley he’d have time to develop in that area.
Linebacker hasn’t been talked about as one of the Patriots’ top needs, but it’s certainly something worth addressing in the top 100 – especially if the Patriots have a good free agency. Barrett Carter from Clemson also got some consideration here.
Trade!
Patriots get:
–115th overall pick (4th round)
–158th overall pick (5th round)
Dolphins get:
–104th overall pick (4th round)
After netting one lost pick in their first trade, the Patriots get a pick back here. This deal is based on a trade between the Saints and Bears in 2023 that saw New Orleans send the 103rd overall pick to Chicago for picks 115 and 165.
Round 4, Pick 115 (from MIA):
OT Anthony Belton, North Carolina State
The Patriots start off Day 3 the same say they started the draft – by working on their offensive line. They do that by selecting Belton here.
Belton exclusively played left tackle at North Carolina State, where he was a three-year starter. However, at 6-foot-5, 345 pounds he projects much more as a right tackle in Josh McDaniels’ offense as a blocker whose power well surpasses his technical ability at this point.
That background makes Belton a unique fit for the Patriots. They could work on developing him on the right side, where he could compete with Caedan Wallace for the starting job. At the same time, as an experienced college left tackle he would also provide them with a depth option behind Campbell. Ideally he’d end up as the long-term starting right tackle, but having a true swing tackle as the third OT certainly has its value as well.
At the Senior Bowl (where he was one of the top performing offensive linemen) Belton worked at both tackle spots. He also got some reps at guard, potentially further expanding his versatility (it wouldn’t be surprising in the copycat NFL to see some teams try to find their own oversized guards after the success the Eagles had working Mekhi Becton inside this year).
Whoever drafts Belton will be getting a project player to begin his NFL career. For where the Patriots are though, if they land a definitive left tackle early in the draft, a project with Belton’s versatility and upside makes a lot of sense for them.
There was also some consideration to going with a running back in this spot. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots make a relatively big investment in the position – especially if they’re worried Rhamondre Stevenson’s ball security issues will carry over from last year. This is somewhat of a ‘sweet spot’ for running backs in this year’s draft with players like TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State, Cam Skattebo from Arizona State, Dylan Sampson from Tennessee, and Ollie Gordon from Oklahoma State all expected to go late on Day 2 or early on Day 3.
Round 5, Pick 145:
WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
The Patriots’ wide receiver need is much more quality than quantity at this point, having drafted four wide receivers over the last two years. DeMario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk will most likely be back on the roster in 2025, and Kayshon Boutte will have a good chance to stick around as a depth receiver as well. After making the major addition at the position in free agency in our scenario (Tee Higgins?), that room is getting pretty crowded. It’s not just about the number of players, but making sure there are enough snaps available for all the players to develop.
Still, the Patriots use a Day 3 pick to add some explosiveness to the room. Williams was a late riser in the draft process, breaking out in 2024 with 70 catches for 1,196 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games. He’s one of the more well-developed route runners in this class both on a physical and mental level, and can create after the catch as well. In college Williams lined up both in the slot and outside and should be able to do the same in the NFL at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds.
Williams will go a little later in the draft than his skillset dictates due to the fact that he is an older prospect and has just one major year of production. He may not have the upside to be a coverage-dictating receiver, but the Patriots should be getting that guy in the veteran market. Instead he projects as a strong complementary piece along with Douglas and should have a chance to do so right away given his age and current level of development.
Round 5, Pick 158 (from MIA):
C Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
McLaughlin shares many of the tools physically and mentally that other centers who have succeeded in Josh McDaniels’ offenses in the past have had. His game has continuously improved over his three years as a starter – two at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State last year. He’d likely be a top-100 pick in this draft had he not turn his Achilles in late November.
With David Andrews planning on returning but year-to-year at this point the Patriots should start thinking about his replacement but don’t need to rush. Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, and Ben Brown are options in that pipeline but McLaughlin would give them a more proven option. He could develop behind the scenes and learn from Andrews this year, then be in position to take over the job next year when healthy.
Round 7, Pick 220 (from TEN):
RB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
It’s a deep running back class, so the Patriots can certainly afford to wait at the position. Most years a player like Edwards would be a top 200 pick, maybe even top 150. However teams will be weary of his lack of production after he failed to follow up on a promising 2022 season in either 2023 or 2024.
Edwards certainly seemed to help himself at the Senior Bowl where he wasn’t just one of the best backs on the field but displayed a well-rounded game making plays running the ball and as a pass catcher. If the Patriots are going to go back to the early-down/passing-down back dynamic under McDaniels, Edwards projects as a player who could play a Rex Burkhead-like role providing depth in both spots.
NOTE: The Patriots originally acquired this pick when they traded away Nick Folk prior to the 2023 season.
Round 7, Pick 223:
DT Cam Jackson, Florida
The Patriots continue building up in the trenches and get themselves a high-upside project player in Jackson. Jackson checked in at the Senior Bowl at 6-foot-6, 339 pounds but plays more like a speed rusher than a true nose tackle. His explosive first step and high motor make him a handful for offensive linemen and potential three-down player in the NFL.
His game has a ways to go technically, and didn’t have a ton of production in college (2.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss over 36 games as a starter the last three years between Memphis and Florida). He’s probably a year or two away from making a regular impact at the NFL level, but given the new Patriots coaching staff’s history developing defensive linemen he’d be a good investment especially this late in the draft.
Round 7, Pick 241 (from LAC):
DB Mac McWilliams, UCF
The Patriots wrap up their 2025 draft in the secondary. In our scenario the Patriots signed a second boundary cornerback with size to play opposite Christian Gonzalez (Carlton Davis?), so this pick is more about depth.
In college McWilliams split time between playing in the slot and on the boundary, in four years at UAB before transferring to UFC last year. At 5-foot-10, 181 pounds with good fundamentals, ball skills, and physical nature McWilliams should be able to play both spots in the NFL as well. He’d give the Patriots a backup in the slot for Marcus Jones, with the potential to factor in on the outside too in certain matchups. His ball skills and instincts may also give him a chance to play some free safety in a rotational role next to whoever the Patriots sign there (Camryn Bynum?). He can also play on special teams.
NOTE: The Patriots originally acquired this pick in a pick-swap trade with the Chargers involving J.C. Jackson in 2023
Not addressed
As mentioned at the beginning, the Patriots have more to address right now than can be done in one draft. There are some other positions that the team would still need to find answers for either in free agency or as UDFAs, and/or make priorities next year. Those positions include…
Quarterback: Drake Maye and Joe Milton return at the top of the depth chart, but the Patriots will at least need a camp arm and may want a third quarterback available during the season. This could certainly be a UDFA. (Potential UDFA: Seth Hennigan, Memphis)
Guard: The Patriots have a number of guards to work with after drafting six interior offensive linemen over the last three drafts. However, most were drafted for a West Coast scheme. Adding another player to compete for the left guard spot who was picked by this coaching staff would make some sense. (Potential UDFA: Thomas Perry, Middlebury)
Defensive tackle: In particular, a primary run-stopping tackle. Cam Jackson could be that player but is raw. The team may be able to get a player who is a better pure run defender now, but has less ceiling without a pass rush upside. (Potential UDFA: Joseph Evans, UTSA)
Kicker: An Alex Barth mock draft without a kicker? Trust me, I’m surprised too. However, given the current outlook at the position it might make more sense for the Patriots to bring back Joey Slye or another veteran free agent to compete with Parker Romo and maybe a UDFA for the job rather than use a draft asset at the position for the second time in three years. Plus, there aren’t many kickers in this draft with experience in inclement weather. If there is a player to watch, it’s Ben Sauls from Pitt.
