A few days ago we reported how the Patriots view their options with the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As long as two quarterbacks are selected in the top three, New England is assured of getting one of the elite prospects in this draft in Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. After years of bad drafting under Bill Belichick, the Patriots are in the midst of a huge rebuild of the talent base of their roster. Hitting on their day-two picks is crucial to starting a turnaround in New England. In speaking with team sources, it sounds like the initial preference is to target the trenches with their second-round pick.
At the top of the second round, New England likes some of the offensive line options that could be there at pick 38. Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons and N.C. State offensive tackle Anthony Belton are two edge blockers that they like. The Patriots also like Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. While some teams have significant character concerns with Green, the Patriots sound comfortable with him after meeting with him at the combine and the background report from their scouts. New England does not sound too like some other edge rushers for that pick, like Oregon’s Jordan Burch or Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen.
In my latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, I have the Patriots adding a pass rusher to help Mike Vrabel’s defense after landing Hunter in the first round. Fortunately for New England, they have a proven evaluator in Eliot Wolf leading their scouting side and Wolf had a strong draft in his first year with the Patriots. The Tennessee Titans drafted well in the Vrabel years as well, so New England fans can be optimistic that they have the leadership in place to draft well and rebuild the franchise into contenders in the AFC.
