Patriots
The Patriots are in desperate need of reinforcements at both offensive line and wide receiver.
After months of scouting reports, video breakdowns, on-field tests, and rumors, the 2025 NFL Draft is finally here.
And with nine picks at their disposal, Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel, and the rest of the Patriots’ top brass have an opportunity to add several lineup regulars to a rebuilding roster.
While all eyes will be on what New England will do with the No. 4 pick, the Patriots should be able to target impact talent in both the second (No. 38 overall) and third rounds (No. 69, No. 77) as well.
With the first round expected to get underway at 8 p.m. Thursday, here’s our mock draft of what New England will do with their nine selections.
Round 1, No. 4 overall: OT Will Campbell, LSU
It’s not the flashiest pick. But it’s the most logical one for the Patriots.
With both Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter off the board by the time New England lands on the clock, the Patriots address their most pressing need by taking the top tackle prospect in this draft class in Will Campbell.
For all of the discourse surrounding Campbell’s arm length and his viability as an elite tackle at the NFL level, Campbell’s resume speaks for itself.
A three-year starter at LSU, Campbell relinquished just four sacks in his college career, per Pro Football Focus — earning All-American honors in 2024 after getting knocked for just two sacks while matching up against elite competition in the SEC.
New England has its quarterback of the future in place with Drake Maye. Now, they need to build a foundation around him. Campbell falls in line with that approach, even if taking a tackle with a top-five pick won’t snag a lot of headlines.
Round 2, No. 38 overall: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
If the Patriots are looking to protect Maye and build an effective offensive grouping for the long haul, New England might be well-served bolstering their O-line with one of the top guards available in this draft class.
While the 6-foot-4 Jackson projects to be a left guard at the NFL level, he further elevated his value this past season at Ohio State after replacing injured starting left tackle Josh Simmons midway through the season.
Slotting Jackson next to Campbell would seemingly solidify the left side of New England’s offensive line, while also pushing Cole Strange into a competition with Garrett Bradbury for the starting center position.
Add in the free-agent signing of Morgan Moses and the return of Mike Onwenu at his ideal spot at right guard, and New England suddenly has the makings of a very steady offensive line moving forward with Maye in place.
Round 3, No. 69 overall: WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
Now the fun begins.
After addressing the team’s most pressing need by shoring up the O-line, New England aims to give Maye some much-needed weapons in 2025.
The 5-foot-10 Noel may not be the most imposing wideout in this draft class. But the former Cyclones standout has the production — and the speed — to develop into a dynamic slot receiver.
Noel is already coming off of a senior season where he amassed 80 catches for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns — while also turning heads at the NFL Scouting Combine by posting a 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash.
Even with his profile as a slot receiver, Noel isn’t exactly just a short-yardage target either — as he averaged 14.9 yards per catch in 2024.
Noel received plenty of praise from former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer last week on NBC Sports Boston.
“When I first turned this guy on to watch, I said, ‘This is a faster Amon-Ra St. Brown,’” Hoyer said of Noel. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s explosive, he’s fast, he’s physical.”
Round 3, No. 77 overall: WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
After targeting a dangerous slot option in Noel, the Patriots add a dynamic “X” receiver with their other third-round selection in Williams. Even though Williams (6-foot-0, 186 pounds) doesn’t boast the profile of a boundary wideout, he routinely torched defensive backs in 2024 — recording 70 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Given Maye’s arm strength, a player like Williams could develop into a dangerous deep-threat target given his knack for separating from opposing DBs.
“Williams is quick to uncover near the line or win downfield — he posted an outstanding success rate (58.3 percent) on throws of more than 20 yards in 2024,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote of Williams, who he projected to be a potential “WR2/3 for an NFL offense”.
Round 4, No. 106 overall: RB RJ Harvey, UCF
The 5-foot-8 running back could develop into an effective third-down back in New England as a shifty playmaker with plenty of make-and-miss ability.
A former QB until he arrived at UCF, Harvey quickly developed into an effective playmaker with the Golden Knights — setting a school record with 45 total touchdowns.
Harvey has the tools in place to become a home-run hitter in New England’s offense. As noted by Brugler, 23.3 percent of Harvey’s carries this past season resulted in a gain of 10 or more yards — tops in the entire FBS.
Round 5, No. 144 overall: TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Tight end isn’t necessarily a top priority for New England with both Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper expected back. But plucking a prospect like Evans could stand as a worthwhile investment.
Evans didn’t exactly stuff the stat sheet on a run-heavy Irish offense (43 catches, 421 yards, three touchdowns), but the 6-foot-5 tight end can do a bit of everything at the next level as a receiving threat and capable blocker.
Keeping him further down the depth chart could also benefit him, as is still working his way back from an ACL tear in 2023.
Round 5, No. 171 overall: CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
A defensive back out of Rutgers? Who knew Bill Belichick was still calling the shots in Foxborough.
Even if Belichick is now coaching the Tar Heels, a Patriots team in need of some high-character personnel on their defense would stand to benefit from adding a team captain like Longerbeam to their roster moving forward.
The 5-foot-11 corner has some durability concerns, but Longerbeam boasts impressive speed (4.39 40-yard dash) and strong defensive instincts that allowed him to routinely befuddle QBs at the collegiate level (42 passes defended over the last four seasons).
Round 7, No. 220 overall: K Andres Borregales, Miami
With John Parker Romo standing as the de-facto starting kicker at this stage in the offseason, New England needs to add some competition ahead of training camp. As such, New England targets one of the top kickers in this draft class in Borregales — who sported a 94.7 percent field goal percentage last season with the Hurricanes.
Round 7, No. 238 overall: C Drew Kendall, Boston College
In a draft where New England places a premium on the offensive line, the Patriots close things out by selecting a local product in Kendall.
A Norwell native and son of former NFL offensive lineman Pete Kendall, Kendall became a three-year starter with the Eagles — earning All-ACC first-team honors last season. He allowed five pressures on 350 pass protection snaps with BC in 2024.
Even with Bradbury and Strange already on the roster, Kendall would serve as valuable insurance up front with a high upside.
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