New England Patriots 2025 NFL Draft Preview

The New England Patriots struggled in the 2024 NFL Season. Head Coach Jerod Mayo’s tenure is over, and former Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel takes the reigns for the 2025 NFL Draft. Vrabel inherits a weak roster, but one that has a potential franchise Quarterback in Drake Maye on it. A strong NFL draft this year could set the Patriots up to contend with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins in the AFC East sooner rather than later. Here is our 2025 NFL Draft Preview for the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots 2025 NFL Draft Picks

The New England Patriots have 9 draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

• Round 1: No. 4
• Round 2: No. 38
• Round 3: Nos. 69
• Round 3: No. 77 (from Falcons)
• Round 4: No. 106
• Round 5: Nos. 144
• Round 5: No. 171 (from Cowboys)
• Round 7: No. 220
• Round 7: No. 238 (from Chargers)

The Patriots selected Maye out of North Carolina third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye impressed last season, garnering a Pro Bowl selection. The Patriots traded Edge Matthew Judon before the start of the 2024 season for the 77th overall pick and received 171 overall from the Dallas Cowboys for backup QB Joe Milton III. That may not be the last of the Patriots trading 2025 NFL Draft picks.

Team Needs

The New England Patriots have quite a lot of team needs. Given the need to keep Maye upright and healthy for the franchise’s future, the offensive line has to be No. 1 and 2 on the Patriots list. The wide receiver position is a wasteland, with only Stefon Diggs of any note. New England has holes at edge rusher after losing Judon and pieces in the secondary.

They have so many needs that they should consider trading down in the first round. However, if either DB/WR Travis Hunter or Edge Abdul Carter falls to New England at 4, we may see a record for the fastest pick submission from Vrabel. If Colorado QB Shadeur Sanders is available at 4th overall, New England may have some suitors willing to move up in the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants. The Patriots would be able to get more ammunition to fill in their roster and should be able to grab a top-flight offensive tackle.

Mock Draft

• Round 1: No. 4: Will Campbell LT LSU
• Round 2: No. 38: Nic Scourton EDGE Texas A&M
• Round 3: Nos. 69: Jaylin Noel WR Iowa State
• Round 3: No. 77 (from Falcons): Wyatt Milum OT West Virginia
• Round 4: No. 106: Jacob Parrish CB Kansas State
• Round 5: Nos. 144: Mitchell Evans TE Notre Dame
• Round 5: No. 171 (from Cowboys) Ty Robinson DT Nebraska
• Round 7: No. 220: Connor Colby OG Iowa
• Round 7: No. 238 (from Chargers): Ben Sauls K Pittsburgh

Mock Draft Analysis

The New England Patriots invest heavily in the offensive line, with two picks in the first 3 rounds. Noel is the kind of smaller, speedy receiver able to work underneath that Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels loves. Evans is a versatile prospect at tight end, capable in the run and pass game. New England’s special teams coach mentioned they will target a kicker at some point in this year’s draft and Sauls has a ton of pro potential.

On defense, Scourton produced at Texas A&M with 15 sacks. The Patriots had the lowest sack total in the league in 2024. Parrish should help add depth to a secondary that needs it. Robinson is the prototypical tough, physical defensive lineman Vrabel requires on his rosters.

Final Thoughts

The New England Patriots are in a great spot in the 2025 NFL Draft. They may have a generational talent in Hunter or Carter fall into their laps. If not, they should be able to easily trade back and stockpile assets, while still adding protection and weapons for Maye. They’ll need all the talent they can draft to compete in the AFC East. The Bills and Dolphins are playoff-caliber teams and the New York Jets roster is as deep as any in the league. New England’s 2025 draft class could be the one that puts the Patriots back on top in the division.