Patriots
The Patriots have a number of interesting choices to show to with the No. 4 choose.
The Patriots misplaced out on the prospect to select first total in an NFL Draft for the primary time since 1993 following a Week 18 win over the Payments.
However even after squandering that chance, New England ought to nonetheless be in prime place so as to add a blue-chip expertise to their roster with the fourth choose within the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Right here’s a take a look at a number of of New England’s potential targets after they go on the clock in late April.
Travis Hunter, Colorado — CB/WR
It stays to be seen if Hunter — arguably probably the most gifted prospect on this draft class — will even be obtainable at No. 4. But when the Titans, Browns, and Giants (who maintain the primary three picks) both prioritize quarterbacks or different areas of the depth chart, there stands a slim probability {that a} distinctive blue-chip expertise like Hunter could possibly be obtainable for New England.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner mapped out such a situation in his newest mock draft, with each the Titans (Miami QB Cam Ward) and Giants (Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders) taking signal-callers — and the Browns choosing LSU sort out Will Campbell at No. 2.
Hunter took dwelling the Heisman Trophy this season by stuffing the stat sheet on either side of the ball — reeling in 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns for Colorado, whereas additionally posting 4 interceptions and 11 move breakups because the crew’s No. 1 cornerback.
Given the quantity of obtrusive holes and lack of expertise on New England’s roster, including a participant with Hunter’s skillset and flexibility can be very interesting. Even when it’s unlikely he’d play heavy reps at each wideout and nook on the NFL stage, Hunter might develop right into a lockdown nook subsequent to Christian Gonzalez — whereas additionally contributing on offense in sure packages.
He will not be a franchise No. 1 wideout on the NFL stage, however Hunter could possibly be a dynamic playmaker when referred to as upon — particularly if the Patriots exit and add one other prime goal for Drake Maye like Tee Higgins.
Abdul Carter, Penn State – Edge
By way of pure expertise and potential, Carter is perhaps the subsequent most suitable choice for New England after Hunter.
Sure, the Patriots’ most urgent want is perhaps on the offensive line. However a pass-rushing drive like Carter might shortly turn into a dynamic playmaker and foundational piece on New England’s protection in file time.
New England’s regressing protection had a number of points in 2024, particularly when it got here to placing stress on opposing QBs. The Patriots completed dead-last within the league with simply 28 sacks on the season, whereas additionally tying with the Browns for the second-lowest mark within the league with simply 0.7 takeaways per recreation.
An explosive athlete with the mandatory body (6-foot-3, 259 kilos) to outmuscle opposing tackles, Carter has racked up 11 sacks, two compelled fumbles, and 22 tackles for loss this season at Penn State.
“The Patriots miss out on the primary total choose, however compensate by touchdown the very best EDGE within the class in Abdul Carter,” SB Nation’s Joseph Acosta mentioned of Carter in his newest mock draft. “A freak mix of burst and explosiveness, Carter has the fluidity to drop in protection, or rush the passer, the place the Patriots sorely need assistance. I’m not too excessive on this OL class, so grabbing the very best defender obtainable at a place of want is a lift.”
Will Johnson, Michigan – CB
Very similar to Hunter, Johnson stands within the prime tier of cornerbacks on this draft class — and would give New England an elite nook duo subsequent to Gonzalez.
Johnson was restricted to simply six video games this season on account of harm, however his athleticism, greater body (6-foot-2, 202 kilos), and instincts whereas locking down receivers and anticipating passes from QBs might make him a expertise too good to move up for New England.
Even along with his harm points in 2024, Johnson was a drive as a sophomore throughout Michigan’s run to a nationwide title in 2023. He was named Nationwide Championship Defensive MVP Award after choosing off Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. within the championship recreation at NRG Stadium.
https://twitter.com/brockheilig/standing/1866872894271238429
“Johnson’s ability set instantly improves the Patriots’ means to defend the move and enhances their total protection,” Bleacher Report analyst Cory Giddings mentioned of Johnson’s match with New England.
Mason Graham, Michigan – DT
Defensive tackles, very like offensive linemen, aren’t precisely the flashiest alternatives — particularly in terms of top-10 picks.
However Graham tasks as a one-man wrecking crew in the midst of the D line — able to stuffing the run whereas collapsing pockets round a quarterback.
Graham could possibly be a drive if paired on the identical line with Keion White, whereas the unsure standing of Christian Barmore transferring ahead might immediate New England to focus on a possible substitute in Graham.
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham recorded 46 tackles and three.5 sacks final season with Michigan.
“The Patriots entered Week 18 projected to have the No. 1 total choose, however a surprising victory over the Buffalo Payments pushed them three spots decrease and but nonetheless value head coach Jerod Mayo his job,” Fox Sports activities’ Rob Rang wrote in his mock draft. “Whoever his substitute will likely be — former Patriots linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is rumored to be a candidate — will acknowledge Graham’s expertise. Paired with blossoming star Keion White, the Patriots might have the makings of a dominant defensive position.”
Will Campbell, LSU – OT
The Patriots have their quarterback of the long run in Drake Maye. Now, they should defend him.
Upgrading the offensive line is perhaps probably the most urgent offseason goal for Eliot Wolf and the remainder of New England’s prime brass.
New England allowed 52 sacks this season — the fifth-most within the NFL, and probably the most sacks allowed in New England over one 12 months since 1999.
Whereas there are some questions over Campbell’s arm size and whether or not or not he’s higher suited to be a guard on the subsequent stage, he established himself as arguably probably the most constant sort out within the SEC this previous season.
“New England gained its finale, but it surely might need misplaced a variety of leverage within the course of,” Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz mentioned in his USA Right now mock draft. “The Patriots are actually behind a number of quarterback-hungry groups, thereby limiting their prospects for a commerce again that would have helped them enhance their draft capital whereas nonetheless securing a prime offensive lineman or receiver.
“Because it stands, they’ll deal with their most urgent downside by grabbing Campbell, a consensus All-American who could possibly be the stabilizing presence this shaky entrance lacks.
Kelvin Banks, Jr., Texas – OT
Lots can change between now and April in terms of the draft leaderboard.
As such, there stands an opportunity that Banks might leapfrog Campbell as the highest sort out on this draft class.
Banks gained the 2024 Outland Trophy because the nation’s greatest inside lineman, despite the fact that he has now performed 39 straight video games at left sort out for the Longhorns. Very similar to Campbell, the 6-foot-4 Banks has been projected by some draft evaluators as a guard on the NFL stage.
“Kelvin Banks Jr. was my OT1 over the summer time and nothing’s modified. He’s athletic, has good ft, performs with steadiness and energy and makes use of his fingers effectively. He’s higher in pass-pro than the run proper now, but it surely’s shut — and he’s solely going to get higher,” CBS Sports activities’ Ryan Wilson mentioned in his mock draft.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – WR
Past defending Maye, the Patriots are going to need to get him some weapons.
New England had arguably the worst receiving corps within the league in 2024, with DeMario Douglas ending with probably the most receiving yards amongst Patriots wideouts with 621. The final time a Patriots wideout posted 1,000 yards in a single season was Julian Edelman in 2019.
A giant-bodied wideout like McMillian might instantly step in as Maye’s prime goal in 2025. In 12 video games this season with Arizona, McMillain reeled in 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns.
“The 6-foot-6, 210-pound receiver showcases shades of Mike Evans and Drake London, with clean actions for his measurement and exceptionally sturdy fingers,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema mentioned of McMillan in a mock draft launched final month.
Join Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking information and evaluation delivered to your inbox throughout soccer season.
