New England faces a real conundrum in the 2025 NFL Draft. In a class with two clear top-tier prospects (Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter) and just one quarterback scene as a clear top option (Cam Ward) the team has the fourth overall pick. The Patriots may be stuck picking the best of the next tier, one that is clearly worse in quality and with no clear best option.
Word around the NFL Combine has been that the Patriots intend to build through the line of scrimmage. The team had arguably the worst offensive and defensive lines in the league last season, and both position groups clearly need an influx of talent. That will surely come with a three-pronged approach: trades, free agency, and the draft.
One quick note: After each pick, I have also listed a prospect’s consensus rank according to the NFL Mock Draft Database, which helps put the selections into some contest. So, with that said, let’s get right into it. These rankings are sure to move quite a bit in the next few weeks as media boards are readjusted with player testing and NFL intel.
Round 1
1-4: RT Armand Membou (Missouri | No. 15): Yes, on paper this looks like a reach right now. And yes, Membou is a right tackle. Bear with me for a moment.
Membou is one of this class’s risers. He turns 21 this month, and he broke out in 2024 in his second year as a starter at right tackle for Missouri. Membou also destroyed the Combine this week, testing in the 97th percentile in his 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. And unlike LSU’s Will Campbell, his arms also exceeded the commonly-used 33-inch threshold.
While consensus boards still have him ranked at 15, don’t be surprised if that changes quite a bit in the next few weeks. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler mentioned that he would be “absolutely in the conversation to be OL1 for several teams” right now, while Hayden Winks from Underdog Fantasy had him as high as No. 4 on his board already.
While left tackle has drawn the headlines for New England, the play at right tackle was actually worse last year. No player allowed more pressures or more sacks than right tackle Demontrey Jacobs, who was also penalized four times. Membou would provide an instant upgrade at that spot with the potential to be one of the best right tackles in the NFL.
TRADE: New England trades 2-38 and 5-145 to Baltimore Ravens for 1-27 and 7-205.
1-27: LT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon | No. 29): If you were concerned about left tackle, breathe a sigh of relief. New England moves back into the first, jumping the Kansas City Chiefs to select the left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon.
Conerly Jr. is still just 21 years old, and he played well on the blind side the past two seasons for the Ducks. While his tape isn’t as polished as Membou’s, he’s still an elite athlete with the traits to play left tackle at a high level in the NFL. He allowed just nine pressures in 494 opportunities in 2024 per PFF.
Round 3
3-69: ED Kyle Kennard (South Carolina | No. 77): After spending four years at Georgia Tech, Kyle Kennard broke out in 2024 with 11.5 sacks at South Carolina to lead the SEC. Kennard has long arms and a quick twitch that gave offensive linemen fits last season. That included Will Campbell, who had his worst game of the season against him.
The five-year edge defender still needs more polish and can get washed out against the run, but the production is undeniable. He would figure in as a rotational player in passing downs with the possibility of becoming a three-down player if he could create penetration against the run.
TRADE: New England trades 3-77 and 7-222 to New Orleans Saints for 3-93 and 6-186: The Patriots trade down in the third round to move up a bit on Day 3.
3-93: WR Tory Horton (Colorado State | No. 98): Horton was one of my guys last year, but he decided to go back to college for one more year. Unfortunately, he lasted just six games before injuring his knee and missing the rest of the season.
Horton is back in form now, excelling at the combine with a 4.41 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2 1/2, good for the 93rd percentile for that size. He also measured in the 85th percentile with his 37.5-inch vertical.
Horton played in an RPO and screen heavy offense, so he has growing to do against press and with his route tree. That said, he produced at a great clip with over 1,000 yards in both 2022 and 2023. Horton recorded more than 2.7 yards per route run in both seasons as well, and his ability as a deep threat is seen with an average depth of target over 10 yards in each of his last three seasons.
Horton is an explosive athlete with a big frame and great hands who is great after the catch. While he has a ways to go with his route running, he’s worth taking a chance on at this point in the draft.
(He also has three touchdowns as a punt returner and one as a passer.)
Round 4
4-105: RB Devin Neal (Kansas | No. 102): While he didn’t have the best testing at the combine, few backs have been as productive as Kansas’s Devin Neal. The four-year senior has been the top back for the Jayhawks for the last three seasons. He’s rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of them. Over the course of four years at Kansas, he’s totaled 4,343 rushing yards with 49 touchdowns on the ground. Add in 837 receiving yards and four receiving scores, and he has more than 5,000 yards from scrimmage in his college career.
Neal could provide a steady presence in the backfield behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, two backs with fumbling issues at points in their careers.
Round 6
6-186: DL Ty Hamilton (Ohio State | No. 187): Hamilton has been a steady presence on the interior for Ohio State. He’s seen an increased role every season over five years with the team, starting all 16 games for the national champs last year. He doesn’t bring the most juice as a pass rusher, but he’s a strong run defender who should find a role in the rotation in the NFL.
Hamilton is a bit undersized, but he has the technical skill to translate. Hopefully with more development time, he can give me as a pass rusher.
Round 7
7-205: CB Jaylin Smith (USC | No. 197): Jaylin Smith is an undersized, versatile corner who had his best season as a senior last year. PFF gave Smith an 82.5 grade in coverage in 2024, a career best, and passers had a passer rating of 62.5 when targeting him.
Smith tested well with his speed at the combine, recording a 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash. He played every role in USC’s defense, spending time primarily in the slot in 2022 and 2023 before moving outside in 2024.
7-219: OG Connor Colby (Iowa | No. 222): After drafting two tackles high, the Patriots add to the interior late. The first thing you need to know about Iowa guard Connor Colby is that he has a rocking mullet. That alone gives him points in the locker room.
Colby tested very well at the combine, showcasing great movement skills and explosiveness. He played right guard in 2023 and 2024 after splitting time between left guard and right tackle in 2022. As a freshman, he played over 600 snaps at right guard.
Colby has been inconsistent as a pass blocker, but he was a great run blocker from his freshman year with the Hawkeyes.
7-240: TE Luke Lachey (Iowa | No. 247): The Patriots wrap up this mock with back-to-back Iowa players. Lachey has not been productive in his career with fewer than 900 yards receiving over five seasons, but you can never go broke taking a chance on Iowa tight ends.
Lachey tested well at the combine and brings good size. Hopefully, his best football is ahead of him.
