The 2025 NFL Draft process is wrapping up, and the New England Patriots have the chance to fill out the rest of their roster. The front office needs to find a blindside blocker for Drake Maye and add explosiveness on offense. With the fourth overall pick and an abundance of high draft picks, the Patriots could position themselves as playoff contenders with a solid class.
New England Patriots Mock Draft: Filling Top Needs
Round 1, Pick 4: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The likelihood of blue-chip talent like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter falling to fourth overall is as low as possible. The Patriots may look to trade back and get more value to fill the glaring hole at left tackle, but there likely won’t be any suitors. This may force the front office to take a chance on a prospect many aren’t certain will stick at left tackle.
Will Campbell and his arm length. It has been a popular topic throughout the entire draft process. Campbell’s arm length measured 33 inches at his pro day, but was just below that mark at the combine in March. Even if he is required to move inside to guard, the Patriots need an offensive lineman with the kind of movement skills Campbell possesses. He will start in the NFL for a long time and could be a monumental addition to the future of Drake Maye.
Round 2, Pick 38: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Stefon Diggs and Drake Maye will make quite the duo on offense, but the Patriots lack reliable receivers deeper down the depth chart. The second round will be a perfect spot for the front office to find a reliable option to contribute alongside Diggs. There aren’t many true X receivers in this draft class, but Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins fits that bill.
Higgins doesn’t win with athleticism, but his footwork is quicker than a lot of wide receivers in this draft class. He understands how to win throughout the route and create separation against both man and zone coverage. He would give Drake Maye a reliable target as Higgins excels at catching the ball away from his body and making the routine catches.
Round 3, Pick 69: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
The Patriots made some heavy defensive investments in free agency. Milton Williams and Harold Landry should help boost what was the worst pass-rushing unit in the NFL last season. New England doesn’t need to hit a “home run” when selecting an edge rusher in this draft, but they could benefit from finding a young, explosive pass rusher.
If it weren’t for less-than-ideal measurables, Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart would probably be a first-round selection. His first-step quickness will help him beat blockers on the outside, and there aren’t many prospects with a higher motor than Stewart. The Patriots could help him become a more nuanced rusher or just deploy him more as a blitzer, given the explosiveness in his game.
Round 3, Pick 77: Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia
The center position was a mess in New England last year after David Andrews suffered a season-ending injury. With his departure and the struggles Ben Brown had as a starter last season, the Patriots need to address this position. Garrett Bradbury, whom the front office signed later in the offseason, has shown signs of regression and could be an unsteady starter next season. The offense needs an additional option.
Jared Wilson has the movement skills to be a special center at the NFL level. He can get out in space and block for the running back, or he can explode off the line of scrimmage to initiate contact. Wilson will need refinement to be a more technically sound player. He struggles with anticipation and calling out protection, but his tools will give him the chance to be a long-term NFL center.
Round 4, Pick 106: Jamaree Caldwell, IDL, Oregon
Many anticipate Mike Vrabel to deploy a nose tackle in his first season as the Patriots’ head coach. Right now, that duty would fall upon Khyiris Tonga, who has just seven starts in his NFL career. New England will need depth at the position if they hope to utilize a rotation rather than rely on Tonga or one specific player.
Jamaree Caldwell has the chance to be a special nose tackle. Not only does he clog the A-gap, but he has the kind of lateral quickness to chase down plays to the outer parts of the field. His shorter arms will prevent him from quickly disengaging from blocks, but he can hold his own against double teams. The Patriots could rotate Caldwell and Tonga to contribute alongside Keion White, Christian Barmor,e and Milton Williams.
Round 5, Pick 144: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
The linebacker group has been overhauled in New England. Ja’Whaun Bentley was released while the front office brought in Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens. Instead of the usual run-stuffing, hard-hitting linebackers, the Patriots defense will focus more on pass prevention with more athletic players at the position.
Clemson’s Barrett Carter is the perfect linebacker for the Patriots to select in this draft class. He is too raw to start right away, but has the kind of tools to contribute as a versatile chess piece on defense. In man coverage, he can stick with running backs out of the backfield or cover receivers out of the slot. His physicality will always be below-average given his frame and size, but the Patriots could allow him to develop before stepping onto an NFL field.
Round 5, Pick 171: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
The Patriots don’t have a home run hitter in their backfield. Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t consistently produce big plays, but both contribute in different ways. Stevenson is the thumper of the backfield running inside the tackles, while Gibson is more of the outside runner and third-down receiver. New England needs a runner with the potential to take a handoff 20-plus yards.
Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten is among the most explosive running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. He ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the combine and showcased game-breaking speed on tape. His one-cut ability is incredible to watch, and with the kind of speed Tuten possesses, safeties must take near-perfect angles to track him down. Vision and ball security issues question how reliable a player he can be at the next level. The Patriots could limit his carries while relying on him for big plays in certain moments.
Round 7, Pick 220: Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
The Patriots have swung and missed on a number of deep-threat wide receivers in recent years. From Tyquan Thornton to Nelson Agholor, New England has failed to find a receiver who can consistently contribute downfield. There are a number of late-round prospects that fit this mould ,and if the offensive staff can develop them, Drake Maye could have an exciting deep threat.
Florida’s Chimere Dike would bring a package of athleticism, versatility, and game-breaking speed to New England. He doesn’t have the usual size of a deep threat receiver, but his separation skills allow him to get behind the defender with ease. If Dike can clean up his hands and become better at extending outside of his frame, he could become more than just a depth receiver for the Patriots.
Round 7, Pick 238: Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh
New England is yet to add a kicker this offseason after losing Joey Slye to the Tennessee Titans. If the season started today, the Patriots’ kicker would be John Parker Romo, who has appeared in just four NFL games. One would have to think that, one way or another, the team will bring in another kicker to challenge him or potentially win the starting job.
Pittsburgh’s Ben Sauls possesses one of the strongest legs in this draft class. He made two kicks from 57 yards last season and would’ve made one from 59 if he hadn’t pulled the kick. Sauls has never missed an extra point, has experience on kickoffs, and is known for making game-winning kicks. The Patriots could use their last draft selection to bring in a kicker, whether that is Sauls or somebody else, to form a kicker competition in training camp.
