
The New England Patriots came out of the 2024 NFL Draft with a franchise quarterback, the first major piece in the storied franchise’s turnaround. It’s now time to build around Drake Maye, and while free agency will help, it is even more imperative to build a young foundation around him. Our Patriots mock draft will examine one way New England can use the 2025 NFL Draft to lay the framework for a perennial contender.
Round 1, 4th overall: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

LSU Tigers offensive lineman Will Campbell merits consideration here, but his arm length is below the threshold for quality left tackles in the NFL. He can be a great guard, a potential perennial Pro Bowl selection, but that might not be worth taking at the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, New England grabs All-American defensive lineman Mason Graham.
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Graham – 6-foo-3 and 296 pounds – offers so many of the qualities Mike Vrabel wants to define his team. He delivers a relentless motor. He’s also technically sound as an interior disruptor, both with how he uses his hands and his ability to win with leverage. Putting him alongside Christian Barmore on the defensive line would greatly help New England’s ability to win battles in the trenches. It also creates a foundation that will make getting to the QB for sacks easier for Patriots’ edge rushers.
Round 2, 38th overall: Donovan Jackson, OT, Ohio State

The New England Patriots offensive line was truly abysmal last season – 31st in ESPN pass-block win rate (51%) and 32nd in run-block win rate (67%) – and it can’t be addressed any later than Round 2. While Donovan Jackson primarily played guard in college, he shined at left tackle in the College Football Playoff. He also moved great for his size (6-foot-4 and 315 pounds) at the NFL Combine, providing even more reason to think he could stick at offensive tackle. Even if he has to kick back inside to guard, New England would potentially be landing a premium starter on the interior. Plus, Jackson knows the work it takes to win a championship and that’s the kind of culture setters Vrabel and the Patriots want in the building moving forward.
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Round 3, 69th overall: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

An early theme of our Patriots mock draft is taking players who have won a championship. It’s not dictating who the team picks, but it is a reflection on the characteristics Vrabel is trying to bring into the building. Plus, Ohio State Buckeyes edge rusher Jack Sawyer stepped up in big moments – 4.5 sacks in College Football Playoff – so he’s proven capable of rising to the occasion. As for his talent, the 6-foot-4 edge defender wins with power, effort and intelligence. The lack of prototypical length or athleticism prevents him from being a top-50 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he can be an excellent complementary piece on a Patriots defensive line that would also feature Mason Graham.
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Round 3, 77th overall: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

With Mike Onwenu the only starter on the Patriots offensive line worth keeping around, another top-80 pick is spent on the position. Boston College lineman Ozzy Trapilo opened his college career at left tackle, but moved to the right side in 2023 and became a highly-end starter in his final two seasons. The 6-foot-7 right tackle offers ideal size for the position and he moves exceptionally well given his frame. He’s better in pass protection than he is as a run blocker, so he is someone New England could feel confident starting as a rookie to protect Maye. With added muscle and better technique, he could be an above-average pass blocker at right tackle.
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Round 4, 106th overall: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Christian Gonzalez – 71.7 QB rating and 55.7% completion rate allowed when targeted – proved he can be a top-shelf No. 1 cornerback. Now, New England needs to find a quality starter for the other side of the field. Kansas defensive back Cobee Bryant doesn’t have ideal size (6-foot) for a perimeter corner, but he makes up for it with his length and instincts. He stood out during the East-West Shrine Bowl and has been praised for his football IQ. While he might have to be kept away from big-bodied receivers to be most effective, that’s what the Patriots have Gonzalez for. This could be an excellent tandem for New England in a few years.
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Round 5, 145th overall: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois

Only a few of the Patriots team needs can be addressed in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. We prioritized the trenches, while wide receiver can be addressed in free agency. In the fifth round, the team could land Pat Bryant. Standing at 6-foot-2, Bryant demonstrated a willingness to fight through contact and make contested catches in college. He can also align at multiple spots, using his strength and intelligence to get open in the short and intermediate areas. He’s not a big-play threat, but Maye could certainly benefit from having a wideout who can make tough catches and will move the chains.
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Round 7, 219th overall: Jimmy Horn Jr, WR, Colorado

Jimmy Horn Jr. is going to likely slide in the 2025 NFL Draft due to his size (5-foot-8), but he can absolutely carve out a role in the NFL. At the NFL Combine, Horn Jr. had the fastest top speed (19.81 mph) during the gauntlet drill thanks to both his speed and ability to track the football. he could immediately be a return specialist for New England and his elusiveness in open space could make him a gadget player and eventual slot receiver in Josh McDaniels’ system.
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Round 7, 222nd overall: Joshua Gray, OG, Oregon State

Oregon State offensive lineman Joshua Gray provides more depth for New England. He spent most of his college career at left tackle before the program moved him inside to guard this past season. It was going to be his best path to reaching the NFL, so he already has an early jump on learning the position. Gray was also a team captain at Oregon State, providing another quality presence in the Patriots locker room who could serve as a backup guard in 2025.
Round 7, 240th overall: Andres Borregales, K, Miami

We’ll round out our Patriots mock draft with arguably the best kicker in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Andres Borregales earned All-ACC honors twice to end his college career and he’s coming off his best season. In 2024, Borregalas converted 94.7 percent of his field-goal attempts and he’s gone 6-for-8 from 50-plus yards out over the last two seasons. Not only is Borregales accurate, including from distance, he also has a track record for coming through in clutch situations.