Now that the 2025 NFL Draft is officially over, the Patriots have finalized their trade of quarterback Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys. They had initially received a fifth-round pick, which would become No. 171, but they engaged in several trades that turned it into more picks further down the line.
The team first completely traded out of the fifth round by sending No. 171 to the Lions for picks 182 and 228. That gave them their only sixth rounder and a second seventh rounder and led them to select Miami kicker Andres Borregales, the best at his position in the 2025 class.
Although it is debated if drafting a kicker is worth it for any team, the Patriots desperately needed to address their special teams after the struggles they've dealt with at kicker over the past five or more years, specifically since letting Stephen Gostkowski and Nick Folk go. Borregales fits that need immediately and could be their starter for the long haul.
The Patriots later traded down again, this time with the Chiefs, by sending pick 228 for picks 251 and 257, with the latter being Mr. Irrelevant.
Patriots get their money's worth out of their initial lone draft pick from trading quarterback Joe Milton III
Once it was finally their time on the clock, the Patriots selected long snapper Julian Ashby from Vanderbilt with pick No. 251. It's an interesting pick, considering they have long rostered Joe Cardona, and he has been a captain on the team previously.
Since remaining loyal to any longtime Patriots doesn't appear to be a priority, this could mean the end is near for Cardona in New England.
From @LanceZierlein on Julian Ashby: "Undersized but highly accurate snapper with good operation quickness in getting the ball to his punter. Ashby appears to be the best long snapper in the draft class, but he might have to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent."
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) April 26, 2025
Later, they crowned defensive back Kobee Minor from Memphis the 2025 NFL Draft's Mr. Irrelevant, hoping he can turn out as good as Brock Purdy for the 49ers. That might be a big wish, but how great would it be to find another gem so late in the draft?
The #Patriots draft Memphis CB Kobee Minor at No. 257 overall, making him Mr. Irrelevant.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) April 26, 2025
- 5-11, 188
- Ran a 4.56 in the 40
- 38 tackles, 0 INTs, 2 FF, 6 PBUs last season
- Previous stops at Indiana (9 starts) and Texas Tech (23 games played)
- Projected UDFA https://t.co/jFhPTTtBUQ
Minor adds more depth to the team and has the ability to be used in different positions on the field. That is a huge plus for the Patriots' defense, which is hoping to put together a lockdown secondary for the 2025 season.