Could New England double-down on defense to open the draft?
The Patriots badly need to improve their offense this offseason, but one NFL draft guru currently has New England using its first two 2025 picks on the other side of the ball.
ESPN’s Matt Miller on Monday released a new two-round mock draft, and he projected the Patriots to make a surprise pick at No. 4 overall. After Abdul Carter (Tennessee Titans), Travis Hunter (Cleveland Browns) and Cam Ward
(New York Giants) went off the board in the top three, Miller tabbed Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham to New England.
“Graham is a fiery, active interior pass rusher with great technique and the burst needed to be a difference-maker at the 3-technique,” Miller wrote. “Graham, third-year defensive end Keion White and standout interior lineman Christian
Barmore (currently out because of blood clots) would be a nice starting point for (Mike) Vrabel and his new defense.”
Miller chose another Big Ten defensive standout for the Patriots at No. 38: defensive end Jack Swayer, who is coming off an outstanding run with Ohio State that culminated with a national championship
Vrabel could continue to rebuild a defense that finished 29th in EPA per play,” Miller wrote. “I expect the Patriots to address their offensive holes in free agency, paving the way for Sawyer to start immediately at right defensive end and be a reliable three-down player from Day 1 on the other side of the ball.
As Miller noted, New England has more than enough salary cap space this offseason to retool its offense through free agency, where the franchise could acquire a game-changing wide receiver and sure-fire offensive tackle. Such signings could lead to the Patriots favoring defense in the draft, and an ex-linebacker like Vrabel probably would have no qualms with that strategy.
