The Patriots appear to have assembled one of the strongest classes from the 2025 NFL draft.
The 2025 NFL draft was a big event for the New England Patriots. After adding several key players in free agency, the draft was viewed as the avenue for the Patriots to fill in their remaining holes and begin building a young core around franchise quarterback Drake Maye. After three days of action, New England ended up making 11 selections, and they have quickly emerged as arguably the biggest winner from the entire draft.
The Patriots needed help at several spots entering the draft. Their offensive line, particularly the left tackle spot, was easily their biggest need, but that wasn’t the only spot they had to fill. Wide receiver, defensive end, and defensive tackle all were positions that needed reinforcements, and head coach Mike Vrabel made it clear ahead of the draft that he felt the team needed help at running back.
Through seven rounds, the team managed to bring folks in to help at each of these spots, which is precisely what they needed to do. Furthermore, they managed to move up and down the board to ensure that not only were they filling their needs, but they were also drafting for value. When all was said and done, the Patriots put together the most impressive draft class of any team across the league in 2025.
The Patriots shored up their top needs and drafted for value
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with Patriots owner Robert Kraft courtside during the second half of game two of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic at TD Garden.
Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Of course, it’s important to note that there’s a big difference between winning the draft on paper, and actually winning the draft. The guys the Patriots selected still have to go out and perform, and several of the guys selected won’t pan out, because it’s nearly impossible to hit on every single selection you make. However, New England made the moves they needed to make during the 2025 draft, and that’s all you can ask for.
It started with the No. 4 overall pick, where the Pats made the pick they were widely expected to make when they selected LSU football left tackle Will Campbell. In the eyes of many evaluators, Campbell was the best offensive line prospect in this draft class. While there are concerns about his arm length and his ability to play left tackle in the NFL, beggars can’t be choosers. The Patriots needed a left tackle, and Campbell was the best option available. With no trades materializing, Campbell was the best option for New England with this pick.
You don’t win the draft with one selection in the first round, though, and the Patriots know that better than any team in the league. They nailed their first-round pick in 2024 when they selected Maye to be their quarterback of the future, but pretty much every other pick they made did not pan out for them. That could still change, but again, it goes to show that you can only make so much of a draft class before the players take the field.
There are some big differences between this draft class and last year’s, though. New England made a series of head-scratching picks (Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round and Caedan Wallace in the third round were both considered reaches), and they barely made an impact as rookies. This time around, though, the team focused on maximizing the value of their picks, rather than simply drafting for need.