Former Patriots RB addresses Ashton Jeanty NFL Draft rumors

Barring a surprising development, the New England Patriots will be able to pick from Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham when New England is called to spend the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

While former Patriots running back Damien Harris seems to believe that giving Drake Maye a dynamic weapon such as Jeanty would be a positive as it pertains to the second-year quarterback's development, Harris also understands the Patriots likely won't go down such a road. 

"I was fortunate enough to be president of the Ashton Jeanty fan club all season," Harris said at a recent event, as shared by Karen Guregian of MassLive. "What a phenomenal running back he is. But it’s very hard to draft guys very high at that position just because there’s a lot of wear and tear…I do think with that first pick, you do something to help Drake Maye, whether it’s protecting him, whether it’s getting him another weapon, that should be the priority."

For a piece published Monday morning, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller ranked Jeanty as the third-best overall player in this year's class behind Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. Neither Carter nor Hunter is expected to be available for New England at pick No. 4. 

Guregian added that the Patriots probably will "be content" with drafting a running back other than Jeanty outside of the draft's first round. As one unnamed AFC head coach told ESPN's Ben Baby for an article posted on Monday, "elite quarterbacks, receivers and edge rushers take precedence over other positions, including running backs" as it pertains to top-tier draft picks in the modern NFL.

Patriots reporter Mark Daniels of MassLive suggested on Monday that the club won't add another interior defensive lineman to the roster with the fourth pick of the player-selection process. On Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPN explained why first-year New England head coach Mike Vrabel may want to choose Campbell over Membou.

"He is viewed by some rival coaches and executives as a Vrabel-type player because of his toughness and high-end intangibles, with the only question if he fits better as a tackle (which he played exclusively in college) or guard (where some project him due to his 33-inch arm length as measured at LSU's pro day)," Reiss said about Campbell.

Jeanty may prove to be a star playmaker who sells a ton of jerseys as a rookie, but New England simply has a more glaring need up front. If the Patriots are among the teams that reportedly "are unbothered" by Campbell's arm length, they likely will lose little sleep over taking him at choice No. 4 on April 24.