New England Patriots - Post-Free Agency Mock Draft 1.0
The New England Patriots have just about finished their spending-spree in free agency. While they have improved the team on both sides of the football, there is a lot of work left to do. The Patriots should be in position to add through the NFL Draft on April 24th and with a number of undrafted free agents after the draft ends on April 26th.
Free Agency Recap:
The big signings were on defense, as New England outbid a number of other suitors for Super Bowl hero Milton Williams to anchor the interior defensive line. If Christian Barmore gets healthy, he and Williams could be the most disruptive interior defensive linemen duo in the league. Additional depth came in Khyiris Tonga on a one-year deal.
New England signed Carlton Davis, a veteran cornerback, to a pricey, but not ridiculous, contract to air with sensational young cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Add in Marcus Jones playing the slot full-time and an intriguing trio of young corners for depth with Alex Austin, Marcellus Dial and Isaiah Bolden, and the position is solid.
Desperately needing an improved pass rush on the edge and a run-stuffing tackler, the Patriots landed solid edge rusher and a “Mike Vrabel Guy” from Tennessee, Harold Landry. On a one-year “prove-it” deal, they added K’Lavon Chaisson.
In the middle of the defense, former Raider Robert Spillane signed on to be a tackling machine. If Ja’Whaun Bentley is healthy, he pushes Jahlani Tavai back to a more appropriate super-sub/special teams role.
DEFENSE:
DL Milton Williams (free agent): Four-year, $104 million deal ($51 million fully guaranteed)
CB Carlton Davis (free agent): Three-year, $60 million deal
Edge Harold Landry (free agent): Three-year, $43.5 million deal ($26 million fully guaranteed; max value of $48 million)
LB Robert Spillane (free agent): Three-year, $37 million deal
Edge K’Lavon Chaisson (free agent): One-year, $5 million deal
DL Khyiris Tonga (free agent): One-year, $2.7 million deal
S Jaylinn Hawkins (re-signed) Terms not confirmed/released
S Marcus Epps (free agent) Terms not confirmed/released
On offense, the big signing was veteran free agent right tackle Morgan Moses. He may not have much tread on the tires, but he is a professional and still playing at a high level. Wes Schweitzer was also signed as a depth piece and someone to provide veteran leadership at guard. With new offensive line coach Doug Marrone and Moses and Schweitzer the offensive line should improve in 2025.
I was glad to see Austin Hooper back at a reasonable cost for another season. The veteran had good chemistry with rookie quarterback Drake Maye last season and with the plethora of cap space, it was inexcusable to let him walk away. Also, quarterback Joshua Dobbs is a veteran voice for Maye and Joe Milton in camp and on the sidelines.
The desperate need at left tackle remains unfilled, as does the need for a number one (and number two) wide receiver. The Patriots signed veteran Mack Hollins, but he’s a fourth or fifth receiver.
OFFENSE:
OT Morgan Moses (free agent): Three-year, $24 million deal (max value of $28.5 million)
WR Mack Hollins (free agent): Two-year, $8.4 million deal (max value of $10.4 million)
QB Joshua Dobbs (free agent): Two-year, $8 million deal ($3.8 million fully guaranteed)
TE Austin Hooper (re-signed): One-year, $5 million deal ($4 million guaranteed; max value of $7 million)
OG Wes Schweitzer (free agent): Terms not confirmed/released
DRAFT NEEDS:
Despite some spending in free agency, the Patriots missed out on some premium players at positions of need in free agency and the trade market. Working against New England is back-to-back 4-13 seasons and three different head coaches and coaching staffs in three consecutive seasons.
They tried to throw money at wide receiver Chris Godwin, but he stayed in Tampa. D.K. Metcalf had no intention of coming to New England via trade, and Tee Higgins was off the market. Davante Adams choosing between Sean McVay and New England was a no-brainer for the free agent receiver.
The offensive line market had Ronnie Stanley and then everyone else. Once Stanley re-signed with Baltimore before the start of free agency, the Patriots knew there were no starting left tackles available. They did well to pivot to Moses, although not getting ahead of the Bears and trading for a reunion with Joe Thuney to shore up the interior was a strange non-move.
On offense, outside of left tackle and wide receiver, the need would be another young tackle to develop and as many wide receivers as they can get their hands on. A receiving running back would be nice, as would a young tight end to develop as Hunter Henry and Hooper aren’t getting any younger. Also, how about young depth at center? Yeah, that’s a need.
On defense, New England could use another edge rusher to develop and a big nose tackle to stick in the middle of the 3-4 defense. A young linebacker would be nice, as would more depth at cornerback and safety, although there is some intriguing talent already.
Sadly, the only positions not mentioned were quarterback and running back, and a young back to develop behind Rhamondre Stevenson and a pass-catching/third-down back would be nice to have. With Eliot Wolf in the front office, don’t be shocked to see another quarterback drafted on day three, as loading up on quarterbacks was the calling card of his dad when he ran the Packers.
RANKED NEEDS:
Left Tackle
Wide Receiver
3-4 Edge Rusher/OLB
Nose Tackle
3-4 Defensive Tackle/End
Cornerback
Center
Guard
Interior Linebacker
Safety
Running back
Quarterback
Mock Draft 1.0
As some background, I am using the Pro Football & Sports Network Mock Draft Engine. It will suggest trade, allow trades, but only for draft picks in 2025 and 2026 (no players). However, it is the most accurate of the different mock draft machines online I’ve used over the last decade as far as ranking players and drafting for needs for the other 31 teams.
Patriots’ 2025 Draft Picks (Nine Total Picks):
Round 1: No. 4 overall
Round 2: No. 38
Round 3: No. 69
Round 3: No. 77 (from Atlanta)
Round 4: No. 106
Round 5: No. 144
Round 7: No. 217 (from Tennessee),
Round 7: No. 220,
Round 7: No. 238 (from LAC)
2025 NFL Draft date and time:
Day 1, Round 1: Thursday, April 24, beginning at approximately 8 p.m. ET.
Day 2, Rounds 2 and 3: Friday, April 25, beginning at approximately 7 p.m. ET.
Day 3, Rounds 4 through 7: Saturday, April 26, beginning at approximately noon ET.
Location: The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin (Lambeau Field, Titletown and the Resch Complex).
Mock Draft 1.0:
OK, on with the show! Tennessee is on the clock.
The draft starts with Tennessee being unpredictable. They snag Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State. Next is Cleveland with Cameron Ward, QB Miami (FL). Then with the Giants missing out on the top quarterback, they draft stubby arms Will Campbell, OT, LSU at third overall.
For the Patriots, they desperately need a left tackle, and after Campbell the position thins out. I am hoping they get a chance to draft Carter, and as a second option, Campbell. Edge is not the biggest need, but Carter is the best player in the draft not named Travis Hunter.
Armand Membou is a pure right tackle. New England signed Morgan Moses, and they have last year’s third round draft pick from Penn State, Caeden Wallace, they can develop at right tackle. The next left tackle is Kelvin Banks from Texas, but he’s more of a mid-first round pick. Taking him at four overall is not getting value.
Round 1: No. 4 overall:
The phone is ringing with impressive dual-threat WR/CB Travis Hunter available. Jacksonville is offering a 2026 second round pick to move up from fifth overall. The Raiders and Tom Brady are calling offering their second round pick (37th overall) to move up from sixth overall. Finally, the Bengals at 17th overall are calling, but although they’re offering their first, second, third, fourth and a 2026 2nd round pick to move up 14 spots, giving up this pick is hard to do.
I counter-offered Jacksonville the fourth overall pick to move back one slot but asking for their 2025 second round pick, and sweetened the deal with a pick swap in the third round for them to move back. They declined.
Cornerback and wide receiver are both needs, but let’s face it: Hunter is the best cornerback and probably the second-best wide receiver in the draft. New England doesn’t need him to start at cornerback immediately, but he can play 30 or so snaps on defense as the third cornerback and step in as the number one wide receiver.
Pick: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Round 2: No. 38:
I am already kicking myself for not trading back into the first round after wide receiver Luther Burden III lasts until 28th and goes to the Lions. Then edge rusher Mike Green goes to Philadelphia and tackle Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota goes to the Browns with the first pick of the second round.
The top prospects still available are:
Tyleik Williams (DT Ohio State), Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss), OT Oregon
Josh Conerly Jr. (OT Oregon), Cameron Williams (OT Texas), Jonah Savaiinaea (OT Arizona), Donovan Jackson (OG Ohio State)
Tre Harris (WR Ole Miss), Harold Fannin Jr. (TE Bowling Green)
Carson Schwesinger (LB UCLA), Trey Amos (CB Ole Miss), Xavier Watts (S Notre Dame)
Jalen Milroe (QB Alabama), and Omarion Hampton (RB North Carolina)
The phone keeps ringing. San Francisco is offering a fourth round pick to move up from 43rd overall. Dallas is offering a future 3rd round pick to move up six spots (and want a seventh round pick back). Neither offer moves the needle.
San Francisco has two third round picks, so I counter with asking for the lower third-round pick (80th overall) and their first of three seventh round picks (227th overall). They reject it.
Savaiinaea and Williams are both right tackles. Conerly is the only left tackle with a grade in this area. Without any trade value to move down, it makes sense to stay ahead of the Bears (also looking for tackle help) at 39th and 41st overall and get the left tackle of the present and future.
Conerly has great agility and movement to go with experience on the left side. He’s an impact blocker in the run game using that footwork to get out and punish defenders on the second level. His arm length and wingspan are both acceptable. He’ll have growing pains and needs to clean up some technique in the passing game, but he’s good enough to win the job in camp and start immediately.
Pick: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Round 3: No. 69
Left tackle and wide receiver married need and value with the first two picks, so New England has two boxes checked off with two picks in the third round. No one seemed interested in moving up for this pick, so the Patriots have some options.
The top prospects available are:
T.J. Sanders (DT South Carolina), Darius Alexander (DT Toledo), Alfred Collins (DT Texas)
Xavier Restrepo (WR Miami (FL), Jaylin Noel (WR Iowa State) Jalen Royals (WR Utah State),
Mason Taylor (TE LSU)
Emery Jones (OT LSU)
Barrett Carter (LB Clemson), Kyle Kennard (EDGE South Carolina)
Denzel Burke (CB Ohio State), Kevin Winston Jr. (S Penn State)
Quinshon Judkins (RB Ohio State), and TreVeyon Henderson (RB Ohio State)
New England just needs more talent at wide receiver, even with Travis Hunter. Hunter fills a need on the outside, but with Josh McDaniels back at offensive coordinator, the offense he favors leans heavy on the slot wide receiver.
Demario Douglas has been good, but not great, in the slot. As much as I like Xavier Restrepo, Jaylin Noel from Iowa State has been storming up the draft rankings. He has decent size, incredible short-area quickness, and ran a sub 4.40 forty-yard dash while showcasing his athleticism at the combine.
Add in that he can return kicks and punts to take pressure off Marcus Jones, and the pick makes too much sense.
Pick: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Round 3: No. 77 (from Atlanta)
Right back on the clock again. The Jets are calling. I hang up without listening. Fuck the Jets.
Top Prospects Available:
T.J. Sanders (DT South Carolina), Darius Alexander (DT Toledo)
Xavier Restrepo (WR Miami (FL), Jaylin Noel (WR Iowa State), Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
Mason Taylor (TE LSU), Quinshon Judkins (RB Ohio State)
Emery Jones (OT LSU)
Barrett Carter (LB Clemson), Kyle Kennard (EDGE South Carolina), Chris Paul Jr. (LB, Ole Miss), Ashton Gillotte (EDGE Louisville)
It has been heavy on offense with the first three picks (with Hunter expected to be a starter at wide receiver and third cornerback). Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins got scooped by the Eagles one pick prior. Sanders and Alexander fit a need on defense, but neither have ideal size for the nose.
After watching a bunch of South Carolina games last season, I am surprised to see Kyle Kennard still on the board. I had him top-50 after his 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in his one season at South Carolina after transferring from Georgia Tech. Kennard has that big edge rusher size and sets the edge and disrupts in the run game. Add that length to get to the quarterback, and this is a no-brainer.
Pick: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Round 4: No. 106:
Two of my favorite players from college football are still available at this point in the draft and are at the top of my draft board and I’m going to pass over them both. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers would be a luxury pick with three quarterbacks on the roster already. Running back is not a huge need, but Arizona State’s powerful running back Cameron Skattebo is right there.
Two interesting offensive tackles who caught my eye are also near the top of the board. Oregon had Ajani Cornelius lined up on the right side opposite Conerly and he’s a solid tackle who could start down the road. Local Boston College tackle Ozzy Trapilo is also near the top of my draft board. He’s an excellent pass blocker but definitely is not a road grader in the run game. He needs some weight but is intelligent and a solid technician.
Let’s get another offensive lineman here. It is a big enough need to double-up, and we’ll double up on Oregon tackles with right tackle Ajani Cornelius and get another duck in the row.
Pick: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
Round 5: No. 144:
With no picks from here at the beginning of round five until round seven, I was desperately trying to turn this pick into a trade back for an additional pick in the sixth round. No luck. Green Bay had plenty of picks but no interest in adding another fifth round pick.
No problem, a developmental nose tackle is at the top of my draft board and I’m rushing my draft card to the podium. New England needs some beef inside and Maryland’s Jordan Phillips is a true nose tackle with length and size. He can disrupt in the backfield and eat gaps in the run game.
He is young (redshirt sophomore declaring for the draft) and needs to be coached up, but Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams will love his attitude and engine. He has all the tools, but is very raw.
Pick: Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
Round 7: No. 217 (from Tennessee)
Waiting 73 picks is a long time to sit and think about seventh round draft picks. I made some attempts to trade up with Las Vegas and San Francisco, but no interest.
No problem. Penn State inside linebacker Kobe King is still available. He’s likely a two-down mike linebacker in the pros, but those players have value. He has good size, and reads and reacts as well as anyone else in the draft in the run game. That’s pretty good value in the seventh round.
Pick: Kobe King, LB, Penn State
Round 7: No. 220:
All that time to wait and back on the clock three picks later.
This draft is deep at running back, and an intriguing prospect is there in round seven with Michigan running back Kalel Mullings. A former linebacker, he offers immediate special teams value and could be goal line and third/fourth down specialist.
He’s not much of a pass receiver, but he doesn’t fumble and runs low to the round and is powerful. He found the end zone 12 times last year and rushed for almost 950 yards.
Pick: Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
Round 7: No. 238 (from LAC)
Somehow I made it to the end of the draft without any trades. I’m amazed at my restraint.
One last pick for the offense. In a draft deep with tight end talent, I’m grabbing one before it is too late. Thomas Fidone from Nebraska is intriguing. He’s athletic, has good hands and excellent length. He didn’t get used much at Nebraska, but they were a mess and fired their offensive coordinator during the season (Matt Rhule was head coach? Well, after what he did in the NFL with Carolina that explains it!).
Fidone missed two seasons with knee injuries and only played two years. He needs a lot of time in the weight room to get NFL ready, but in the seventh round the only players worth drafting are developmental projects and Fidone fits the bill.
Pick: Thomas Fidone, TE, Nebraska
DRAFT RESULTS:
4. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
38. Josh Conerly Jr., LT, Oregon
69. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
77. Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
106. Ajani Cornelius, RT, Oregon
144. Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
217. Kobe King, LB, Penn State
220. Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
238. Thomas Fidone, TE, Nebraska
Final Thoughts:
The best and most special player in the draft at fourth overall, a pair of Oregon tackles, help in the passing game, a pass rusher, and a bunch of developmental players to help out hopefully in 2026 or 2027.
The Patriots need a couple of immediate starters and young players to develop and build around to contribute in the future on both sides of the ball. This isn’t a fix it all in one year kind of draft, but that’s not realistic at this point with the state of the New England roster. This is a draft to build for future success.
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