The New England Patriots are expected to be one of the more aggressive teams in free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. They need to address multiple areas of need, and Drake Maye’s surprisingly fast emergence as a franchise quarterback has sped up the clock for the front office.
It’s a unique spot to be in as a rebuilding organization that is also in a win-now mode. The Patriots can’t afford to drag their feet through the offseason with minor upgrades on both sides of the ball.
One look at what the Washington Commanders achieved this season with Jayden Daniels at quarterback should spark a sense of urgency in New England. The Commanders went from missing the playoffs for three straight years to the NFC Championship Game in the 2024 season
One incredible offseason could turn the Patriots back into a perennial contender. It all starts with free agency, where I expect the team to address the wide receiver position and reload on the offensive line. They might even add another talented cornerback to play across from Christian Gonzalez.
This 2025 NFL mock draft gets a bit chaotic with multiple trades in the first round. Here’s who the Patriots came away with in our latest mock piece:
TRADE!
In this mock draft, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter wasn’t available at No. 4, and the Patriots decided to swing a blockbuster trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett instead.
Garrett is arguably the best defensive player in the NFL, and he’d be a major difference-maker along the defensive front for the Patriots. His presence would open things up for other playmakers and significantly improve the pressure rate against opposing quarterbacks.
I know Browns fans are hoping for multiple first-round picks, but they could be disappointed in a hypothetical trade. Garrett is an elite playmaker at a premium position, but he is also 29 years old with two years on his existing contract.
Getting the No. 4 overall pick from the Patriots would ensure the Browns have two picks in the top-four to restock their roster with at least two high-end draft prospects
Patriots get: DE Myles Garrett
Browns get: 2025 first-round pick (No. 4)
TRADE! Round 1, Pick No. 25: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Patriots see an opportunity to climb back up the draft board late in the first round to get their franchise left tackle, Ohio State’s Josh Simmons. It is unlikely Simmons will slide too far down the draft board, even after a season-ending knee injury.
This isn’t a deep draft at the tackle position, and other teams will be looking to pounce on a high-upside blocker like the former Buckeye. The Patriots could continue to put a band-aid on the situation through free agency or go out and get a cornerstone talent to protect their young quarterback’s blindside for years to come.
Patriots get: 2025 first-round pick (No. 25)
Texans get: 2025 second-round pick (No. 38), 2025 third-round pick (No. 77)
Round 3, Pick No. 69: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
It’s still up in the air on whether Christian Barmore will be 100 percent by the start of the 2025 season. The Patriots could turn to South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders as a backup plan to play alongside Davon Godchaux on the defensive front. Sanders is a second-round talent with the potential to be an interior game-wrecker. He’s a high-motor playmaker with the leverage and power to create rush opportunities up the gut.
Round 4, Pick No. 105: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The Patriots could use more speed at the linebacker position, and they manage to address that issue by taking UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger in the fourth round. Schwesinger is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker who chases down ball-carriers. He’s a solid option for a team looking to create a more aggressive defense that plays at a fast pace.
Round 5, Pick No. 145: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
Austin Hooper was on a one-year deal, and Hunter Henry isn’t getting any younger. The Patriots choose youth at tight end with this pick instead of kicking the can down the road.
Luke Lachey comes from a program in Iowa with a long history of turning out great NFL tight ends. He won’t wow anyone from an athletic perspective, but he’s a high-IQ player who consistently puts himself in the right position to make plays.
Round 7, Pick No. 219: J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
Ole Miss defensive tackle J.J. Pegues was one of the best players left on the board. He’s a powerful interior enforcer to help shore up the struggling run defense for the Patriots. At the very least, he could develop into a strong rotational piece if Christian Barmore misses time or the team decides to move on from Davon Godchaux’s contract.
Round 7, Pick No. 222: Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
This isn’t a deep wide receiver draft, but there are a few worthy fliers late. Louisville’s Ja’Corey Brooks would fall in that category.
His run with the Alabama Crimson Tide was cut short due to a shoulder injury, but he bounced back in a big way by eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving with Louisville. But was that because he was facing easier competition?
Brooks is a bit of an enigma who could pay off big for whatever team is willing to give him an opportunity.
Round 7, Pick No. 240: Xavier Truss, G, Georgia
Xavier Truss is a powerful run-blocker who comes from a Georgia program that faced some of the best defensive teams in the nation last season. In a perfect world, the Patriots would be starting Mike Onwenu and either Cole Strange or a much-improved Layden Robinson at both guard positions. Truss could be a solid developmental and depth piece option for New England.
