The NFL draft has come and gone, and the Patriots received heaps of praise for their work in selecting their rookie class, led by fourth-round pick Will Campbell.
Between that and an aggressive offseason by Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel in bringing in quality free agents like Stefon Diggs and Carlton Davis III, the Patriots' roster is already superior to the unit that staggered to its second consecutive 4-13 record last season.
Drake Maye finally has help, and outside of Buffalo, Baltimore, and Kansas City, there don't appear to be too many dominant teams in the AFC, and with the Jets and Dolphins loaded with question marks, the AFC East could shape up to be a rock fight next season.
Is a playoff run out of the question for the 2025 Patriots? Can Diggs stay healthy and be the top receiver that Maye needs?
4 bold post-draft predictions for the 2025 New England Patriots
1. The Patriots will make the playoffs
While that is quite an optimistic prognostication for a team that has gone 8-26 over the last two seasons, being in the AFC's postseason chase can undoubtedly be an acceleration for a team that's still a piece or two away from being a Super Bowl contender. Think back to 1994, when the Patriots went from 5-11 to 10-6 and the playoffs in Bill Parcells' second year. That would qualify as a successful season.
For one thing, New England's schedule isn't exactly the murderer's row it was a season ago, with only five games against teams (Buffalo twice, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Pittsburgh) that made the playoffs in 2024.
New England's non-conference schedule features the NFC South, arguably the weakest division in the league, the woeful New York Giants, and 2024 last-place teams Las Vegas and Cleveland. The Jets are typically good for at least one win, so if the Patriots can get seven wins out of that list of opponents and a few upsets, contending for a Wild Card berth is not impossible.
It's optimistic to believe the Patriots can win nine or 10 games if everything clicks.
2. TreVeyon Henderson will contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year
When it came to running backs in this year's draft, the hype rightfully surrounded Ashton Jeanty, but the Patriots may have gotten one of the biggest steals of the second round in taking Henderson.
Henderson is a living, breathing matchup problem thanks to his speed and ability to play on every down and catch the ball out of the backfield.
If you want to be a successful running back in New England, you'd better be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, and Josh McDaniels will undoubtedly use Henderson in that role. Don't be surprised if he surpasses Antonio Gibson for the No. 2 running back role in training camp.
3. Drake Maye won't take as much punishment
The Patriots' offensive line is already miles better than it was a year ago, and if Campbell can be a successful left tackle, the No. 4 overall pick will be the final piece of the puzzle.
Vrabel believes games are won and lost in the trenches, and Maye must have been in heaven watching the draft, seeing the upgrades the Patriots made around him. Addressing the center position with the selection of Jared Wilson in the third round is another major move after New England moved on from David Andrews this offseason.
Wilson is a versatile guy who can also play guard, but that move will keep Cole Strange at his natural position, and New England now has the guys to protect Maye.
4. Stefon Diggs will have a 1,000-yard season
Is that asking a lot from a 31-year-old receiver coming off a torn ACL?
Maybe. But Diggs has the talent to do it, and McDaniels has the scheme and the quarterback to ensure it happens.
Diggs remains a deep threat and a matchup problem. You can bet he has a chip on his shoulder after his season ended prematurely in 2024, and that could be bad news for the Patriots' opponents.