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The Patriots have a chance to land an immediate starter this week.
For a team that’s won 4 games in back-to-back seasons, that’s desperately needed. At this point, Mike Vrabel’s team has been upgraded in free agency. However, they still lack blue-chip prospects and true building blocks.
The Patriots need young players who will help turn this franchise around.
There’s no better place to start than the 2025 NFL Draft. Last year, the Patriots appeared to have several swings and misses. However, it looks like they nailed their top pick with quarterback Drake Maye.
This year, it’s imperative that the Patriots get it right with the No. 4 overall pick.
Throughout the history of the NFL Draft, there have been some very good players selected with this pick. Highlights include Reggie White, Walter Payton, Charles Woodson, and John Hannah. This marks the third time the Patriots will pick at No. 4. Along with Hannah, the team drafted Will McGinest in 1994 with this pick.
Here’s a look at the 10 best fits for the Patriots at No. 4.
Hunter is a unicorn. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner would instantly slot in as the Patriots No. 1 receiver. He’d also provide depth behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis at cornerback. Hunter would be a marquee attraction with Drake Maye in training camp. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear likely he’ll be on the board when the Patriots are on the clock.
The Patriots reinforce their defensive line with Milton Williams and Harold Landry. Carter would still instantly become the Patriots best pass rusher. He profiles as a Pro Bowl edge rusher and might be the best player in this class. The Patriots finished last in the NFL in sacks last season. Carter would rectify that problem – if he’s available, which seems unlikely.
Here’s where need comes into play. The Patriots biggest roster hole is at left tackle. Campbell is the best left tackle in this draft. He’s been a dominant tackle since high school and started there as a true freshman at LSU. Campbell also has outstanding character as he was named a captain twice, including as a sophomore. There’s been a lot of debate about his arm length, but Campbell makes too much sense for the Patriots.
If Vrabel wants someone to come in and help change the culture inside Gillette Stadium, Walker might be the best guy. He was an outstanding leader at Georgia and is coming off a year where he was the nation’s best collegiate linebacker. He is seen as a tweener – too big for a prototypical inside linebacker and smaller than an average edge rusher. Walker, however, would give Vrabel a versatile chest piece.
If the Patriots want to shoot for the moon, they could look at someone like Membou. He’s an outstanding athlete and was dominant at times for Missouri last season. He’s shorter (6-foot-4) than your typical tackle and that’s why he played guard in high school and was recruited as a guard. Membou has over 33-inch arms and has high potential. The question is if he can move from right tackle to left tackle, which he’s never played.
If the Patriots truly want to draft the best player available, they should look at Jeanty. He profiles as a Pro Bowl running back, who’s drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. If the Patriots draft Jeanty, he’d become one of their best offensive weapons. He’d create a dynamic running back due with Rhamondre Stevenson. At No.4, he’d also become the tenth highest-paid running backs in the NFL next season.
There’s an argument to be made that Graham could also be the best player on the board when the Patriots are on the clock. He was an outstanding defensive tackle at Michigan. He profiles as an interior pass rusher that could pester opposing quarterbacks. He’d provide top-end depth with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Graham is considered undersized, but he’s a great athlete and plays with aggression.
If the Patriots want to weaponize the offense, they could draft arguably the best pass catcher in this draft. Warren did it all at Penn State. He was the ultimate offensive weapon last season. He finished with 104 receptions, 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. Warren has drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski and Jeremy Shockey. He has the ceiling of a Pro Bowl tight end – and quarterback security blanket
You can’t discount how bad the Patriots need a left tackle. It’s imperative that the team solves this issue and finds someone to adequately protect Maye. Banks started at left tackle for the last three seasons for Texas. Last year, he won the Lombardi Award for the nation’s top offensive lineman. Like Campbell, some believe Banks will ultimately move to guard. His play, however, suggests whoever drafts him should try him first at tackle.
Last week, Vrabel told a story of scouting Danielle Hunter. He had 1.5 sacks his last year at LSU but was an elite tester. After being drafted in the third round, Hunter is a five-time Pro Bowler and had 99.5 sacks in nine seasons. That story is relevant because Stewart is an elite tester who only had 1.5 sacks last season for Texas A&M. He has the traits but not the production. Could Vrabel take a flyer on a high-upside prospect after seeing how Hunter’s story unfolded?
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For a team that’s won 4 games in back-to-back seasons, that’s desperately needed. At this point, Mike Vrabel’s team has been upgraded in free agency. However, they still lack blue-chip prospects and true building blocks.
The Patriots need young players who will help turn this franchise around.
There’s no better place to start than the 2025 NFL Draft. Last year, the Patriots appeared to have several swings and misses. However, it looks like they nailed their top pick with quarterback Drake Maye.
This year, it’s imperative that the Patriots get it right with the No. 4 overall pick.
Throughout the history of the NFL Draft, there have been some very good players selected with this pick. Highlights include Reggie White, Walter Payton, Charles Woodson, and John Hannah. This marks the third time the Patriots will pick at No. 4. Along with Hannah, the team drafted Will McGinest in 1994 with this pick.
Here’s a look at the 10 best fits for the Patriots at No. 4.
1. Travis Hunter, receiver/cornerback, Colorado
Hunter is a unicorn. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner would instantly slot in as the Patriots No. 1 receiver. He’d also provide depth behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis at cornerback. Hunter would be a marquee attraction with Drake Maye in training camp. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear likely he’ll be on the board when the Patriots are on the clock.
2. Abdul Carter, edge rusher, Penn State
The Patriots reinforce their defensive line with Milton Williams and Harold Landry. Carter would still instantly become the Patriots best pass rusher. He profiles as a Pro Bowl edge rusher and might be the best player in this class. The Patriots finished last in the NFL in sacks last season. Carter would rectify that problem – if he’s available, which seems unlikely.
3. Will Campbell, tackle, LSU
Here’s where need comes into play. The Patriots biggest roster hole is at left tackle. Campbell is the best left tackle in this draft. He’s been a dominant tackle since high school and started there as a true freshman at LSU. Campbell also has outstanding character as he was named a captain twice, including as a sophomore. There’s been a lot of debate about his arm length, but Campbell makes too much sense for the Patriots.
4. Jalon Walker, edge rusher, Georgia
If Vrabel wants someone to come in and help change the culture inside Gillette Stadium, Walker might be the best guy. He was an outstanding leader at Georgia and is coming off a year where he was the nation’s best collegiate linebacker. He is seen as a tweener – too big for a prototypical inside linebacker and smaller than an average edge rusher. Walker, however, would give Vrabel a versatile chest piece.
5. Armand Membou, tackle, Missouri
If the Patriots want to shoot for the moon, they could look at someone like Membou. He’s an outstanding athlete and was dominant at times for Missouri last season. He’s shorter (6-foot-4) than your typical tackle and that’s why he played guard in high school and was recruited as a guard. Membou has over 33-inch arms and has high potential. The question is if he can move from right tackle to left tackle, which he’s never played.
6. Ashton Jeanty, running back, Boise State
If the Patriots truly want to draft the best player available, they should look at Jeanty. He profiles as a Pro Bowl running back, who’s drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. If the Patriots draft Jeanty, he’d become one of their best offensive weapons. He’d create a dynamic running back due with Rhamondre Stevenson. At No.4, he’d also become the tenth highest-paid running backs in the NFL next season.
7. Mason Graham, defensive tackle, Michigan
There’s an argument to be made that Graham could also be the best player on the board when the Patriots are on the clock. He was an outstanding defensive tackle at Michigan. He profiles as an interior pass rusher that could pester opposing quarterbacks. He’d provide top-end depth with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Graham is considered undersized, but he’s a great athlete and plays with aggression.
8. Tyler Warren, tight end, Penn State
If the Patriots want to weaponize the offense, they could draft arguably the best pass catcher in this draft. Warren did it all at Penn State. He was the ultimate offensive weapon last season. He finished with 104 receptions, 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. Warren has drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski and Jeremy Shockey. He has the ceiling of a Pro Bowl tight end – and quarterback security blanket
9. Kelvin Banks, tackle, Texas
You can’t discount how bad the Patriots need a left tackle. It’s imperative that the team solves this issue and finds someone to adequately protect Maye. Banks started at left tackle for the last three seasons for Texas. Last year, he won the Lombardi Award for the nation’s top offensive lineman. Like Campbell, some believe Banks will ultimately move to guard. His play, however, suggests whoever drafts him should try him first at tackle.
10. Shemar Stewart, edge rusher, Texas A&M
Last week, Vrabel told a story of scouting Danielle Hunter. He had 1.5 sacks his last year at LSU but was an elite tester. After being drafted in the third round, Hunter is a five-time Pro Bowler and had 99.5 sacks in nine seasons. That story is relevant because Stewart is an elite tester who only had 1.5 sacks last season for Texas A&M. He has the traits but not the production. Could Vrabel take a flyer on a high-upside prospect after seeing how Hunter’s story unfolded?
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