The New England Patriots entered this offseason with a ton of work to do. On the heels of a 20-year dynastic run, they have just eight wins total over the last two seasons and a -258 point differential.
There aren’t many bright spots from the 2023-2024 era, but drafting their number one cornerback, Christian Gonzalez, and their franchise quarterback, Drake Maye, are at least building blocks for the future. In this New England Patriots’ 2025 NFL mock draft, we looked at how they can add to this core.
New England Patriots 2025 Offseason
Ahead of the draft, the Patriots have had a culture-changing offseason. Jerod Mayo was a one-and-done head coach, replaced by another former Patriot, Mike Vrabel. Then, former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has returned to lead that side of the ball, and they brought in Terrell Williams to run the defense.
In free agency, the Patriots were busy. They focused on defense early and later offense, dramatically changing an inferior roster in 2024.
Stefon Diggs, WR
Milton Williams, DT
Harold Landry III, LB
Carlton Davis III, CB
Morgan Moses, OT
Robert Spillane, LB
Jack Gibbens, LB
Garrett Bradbury, C
Wes Schweitzer, G
Marcus Epps, S
K’Lavon Chaisson, DE
Mack Hollins, WR
Khyiris Tonga, DT
Joshua Dobbs, QB
Despite the vast array of moves, the Patriots still have much work to do. In some ways, this simplifies their handling of this year’s draft: take the best available player and rebuild this roster. That’s the approach I applied in my mock draft, so let’s look at the results.
7-Round New England Patriots Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 4: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Carter falling to the Patriots at number four is the ideal outcome for them. Harold Landry has put up nice sack totals the last few years, but his pass-rush win rate was just 4.8% last season. Pass rusher is still a glaring hole in New England, and Carter should be an immediate solution for them on that.
Last year at Penn State. Carter tallied 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and forced two fumbles. Beyond those stats, he’s an explosive and talented player at a premium position, and luckily enough, it’s a position of need for New England. He is the obvious choice if he is there when the Patriots take their turn at the podium.
Round 2, Pick 38: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Fannin is one of those players you can find going at a wide range of spots. Most have him going somewhere in the second or third round, but I’m particularly high on him.
The 6’3, 241-pound tight end tallied 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Yes, you read that right. He led all of college football by almost 200 yards and even added nine carries for 7.2 yards per carry.
His blocking is the most glaring hole in his game, and that physicality in the pass game can slow him down. Because of this, he doesn’t project to be a three-down tight end in the NFL. That means landing with a team with two starting-caliber tight ends will allow him to do what he does best: be a passing game production machine.
The NFL network had a comp for him during the combine, Julius Thomas. If he can be 90% of what Thomas was at the height of his career, the Patriots’ weapons-starved offense will be thrilled.
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Round 3, Pick 49: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
The Patriots obviously need a left tackle, but they need bodies on the line in general. Viewed last year almost universally as a bottom-three unit, the Patriots have added some linemen in free agency but still have work to do.
The way this draft fell for me has them waiting until the third round to add help. Savaiinaea is a more than intriguing prospect, in my opinion. At 6’4 “, 324 pounds, and a 33 7/8” wingspan, he can add size and athleticism to the position. According to Next Gen Stats, his athleticism score was the 7th highest among tackles in this class.
He’s far from a perfect prospect; some speculate he may need to move to guard. While he has sound feet and good technique, he can be overpowered at times and struggle with a variety of pass-rushing moves. Savaiinaea must add some strength and rush recognition, but he should help the Patriots in 2025 and beyond.
Round 3, Pick 77: Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami-FL
Similar to the offensive line, the Patriots need to continue adding pass-catching options until something sticks. All Restrepo did in college was produce. Miami’s wide receiver history is well decorated, and after the 2024 season, one man stands alone at the top in receiving yards and total receptions: Restrepo.
As a route runner, he’s an absolute tactician, but his lack of speed and small stature could hurt him at the pro level. While I acknowledge Tom Brady no longer takes the helm in New England, many undersized Patriots have succeeded there in the past—Troy Brown, Wes Welker, and Julian Edelman, to name a few. If he’s there at 77, the Patriots should absolutely add him to the mix.
Round 4, Pick 110: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
I love Tory Horton as a mid-round pick in a draft lacking high-end wide receiver talent. Horton goes at 6’1 7/8″, 185 pounds and was another big-time collegiate producer posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023.
His strengths include speed, great downfield vision with the ball in his hands, and making high-end catches on the boundary. His weaknesses include a wiry frame and rounding his routes. He’s also coming off a knee injury that cut his 2024 season short.
Despite some questions, his upside is too good to pass up at this spot in the draft, and it will allow New England to add three top-producing college pass catchers in its first five picks.
Trade Details: New England sends pick Nos. 106 and 217 to the New York Jets for pick Nos. 110 and 145.
Round 5, Pick 144: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
After four straight offensive picks, the Patriots come back with a defensive pick here. Phillips is decently athletic but was not an overly productive player at the college level; he registered zero sacks.
Phillips is 6’2 “, 312 pounds, and can be explosive off the ball. He uses his strength to compensate for deficiencies in length. Mike Vrabel has said that the Patriots’ defensive line wants to be more attack-oriented this season, so Phillips will need to develop to be a real contributor. Learning from Milton Williams and Christian Barmore is an ideal place to do so.
Round 5, Pick 145: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
With the very next pick, I have the Patriots taking another tackle to add to the mix. Grant brings a lot of size to the table at 6’5, 311 pounds, and 34 3/4 arms. He’s strong and long, grades out well from an athleticism standpoint, and has good tape from the collegiate level.
Grant is considered a bit of a raw prospect, but multiple draft rankings have him as a top 100 talent this year. If he’s still sitting there at 145, this should be an easy pick for New England.
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Round 7, Pick 220: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
Hamilton is a seventh-round flyer who can add some depth for the Patriots. The 6’3, 299-pound Buckeye had his most productive season in his senior year, with 51 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Hamilton is a bit undersized, lacks versatility in his moves, and is not an elite pass rusher. Still, he can fire off the ball and is a strong run defender, so he’ll be a good depth piece and will have time to develop, joining a deep group in New England.
Round 7, Pick 238: Patrick Jenkins, DT, Tulane
Jenkins is another slightly undersized defensive tackle who lacks creativity in his pass rushes. That said, he was a productive player in college with 13 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 107 total tackles, and two passes defended in his final three seasons.
As the final pick in this mock draft, Jenkins will bring a high motor to New England and a proven ability to stop guys behind the line. He’s an upside pick in the draft at the end of day three, which is precisely what you’re looking for here.
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