The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books. The New England Patriots have added X players in this extremely important draft for the new Patriots administration headed by Mike Vrabel. The 2025 draft is the second major leg of the off-season's major strategic options that comprise the primary building blocks of the 2025 Patriots roster.
The first leg of the reconstruction by Vrabel was his very aggressive free agency period in which he signed several players, all of whom will likely be upgrades over the 2024 players at their respective positions. He earned high praise for the players he signed, but was docked points for one specific reason: not signing a left tackle.
Had he done that, the offseason would have started with a perfect score, and the draft we are now going to grade may have had a significantly different flavor.
Regardless, the second leg of the stool, the draft, has now been completed, and it's time to reflect upon the players chosen and how well Vrabel and Co. did navigating this year's class.
Grading every New England Patriots' 2025 draft pick
Round 1, Pick 4: The Patriots select Will Campbell, offensive tackle, LSU
With their critical No. 4 pick overall in the 2025 draft, Patriots leader, Mike Vrabel, stands pat and uses his first Patriots draft pick ever to add the draft's best offensive lineman, LSU's Will Campbell. Will was predicted by many prognosticators as the Pats' pick, and they got it right.
Campbell was rated by the eminent Pro Football Focus as the draft's best offensive tackle and sixth-best player overall. It was important for the Pats to land one of the six top position players in the draft, especially at a position of need. They did just that. You've hit the jackpot if you meet your top need and fill it with the consensus best player at that position available in the draft.
In selecting Campbell, Vrabel seems to have downplayed the controversy over the 6'6", 319-pound Campbell's lack of 3/8's of an inch in arm length. The NFL veteran, former player, and coach evaluated the player's play on the field and evidently did not find it lacking. protecting Drake Maye was paramount, and the Pats are already getting complimented on doing just that.
NFL.com wrote this about Campbell in their overview of the top offensive linemen and left tackle in the draft,
"Athletic left tackle prospect who's durable and battle-tested but has elements of high risk, high reward in his game. Campbell is a thumping run blocker who can clear out B-gaps with forceful down blocks and displace base blocks with his “strike and run” technique ... He has a jarring, heavy punch and can latch in to control the rep. However, he has short arms and when he’s beaten to first action, the footwork and technique go out the window, forcing him to scramble and survive to save the pocket. His play is determined, spirited and aggressive..."
Campbell is an addition who fills the Patriots' most glaring need like a glove. They sorely needed a top left tackle above any other need, and they filled it in style. While it's not a glitzy pick, filling your team's top need with the best in the draft at that position is an optimum pick that determines the grade.
Grade: A+
Round 2, Pick 38: The Patriots select TreVeyon Henderson, running back, Ohio State
After filling his most pressing need in the first round, Mike Vrabel stays with offense and fills another need by selecting dynamic running back from national champion Ohio State, TreVeyon Henderson. While not at the top of the Patriots' lists of need, it's a need nonetheless. The Pats had to bolster the running back room, and they did so with just the right style of back.
The 5'10", 202-pound Buckeye had a solid year in 2024. His numbers aren't gaudy but solid. He gained 1,028 yards with 10 touchdowns and a healthy 7.1 yards-per-carry average. His carries and yardage were limited not because of his ability but because he shared running back duties with another top back, Quinshon Judkins. He also rushed for over 1,000 yards and 14 TDs. Henderson caught 27 passes for 284 yards and another score.
Henderson's defining characteristic is an attribute the Patriots sorely lack: explosiveness. He's a dynamic back who can take advantage of creases and take the ball to the house on any given play. The only Patriot with that characteristic in 2024 was Marcus Jones, who was confined to defense, where it wasn't exploited. Henderson brings it on offense.
nfl.com sums up the exciting Buckeyes' back's qualities nicely in their Overview of the player,
"Henderson is capable of starring on third downs or biting off a bigger chunk as a three-down option. He has average size but above-average juice with good acceleration. He’s an average decision-maker inside and is not overly creative once confronted by the defense, but he has the pacing and subtle shiftiness to excel as an outside runner. He might be the best pass-protecting running back in this draft and is more than capable as a pass-catcher...."
He is fast, running a 4.43 forty-yard dash at the Combine, shifty, and a home run threat. He can catch the ball as a third-down back, and importantly, is a terrific and willing blocker in the passing game. Think of Henderson as bigger, much faster, and only slightly less elusive than former dynamic Patriots runner Dion Lewis.
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick 77: The Patriots select Kyle Williams, wide receiver, Washington State
In the third round, with pick No. 69, the Patriots select another player whose top characteristic is explosiveness: Washington State's receiver Kyle Williams. The 6'0, 185-pound Williams had a solid 2024 with 70 catches for 1025 yards and 14 touchdowns. Like Henderson, he has a nose for the end zone, something the Patriots didn't sniff nearly enough in 2024.
Williams can be an X-outside receiver, a great asset, especially if Stefon Diggs isn't 100 percent by opening day. Coupled with Diggs, he'll provide a wide receiving duo the Patriots haven't seen in years or even decades. His top asset is an outstanding separation ability. He gets open, explodes out of his cuts, and gets off to the races.
The Bleacher Report staff had this to say about his top characteristics,
"Kyle Williams adds alignment versatility along with route running and open-field speed...
Williams's short-area quickness is pivotal to his success against press-aligned defensive backs. He throws hard jabs, steps and speed-releases, quickly working past his defender. His approach to defeat press alignment is detailed by attacking the defenders’ base and leverage. Williams enters his routes with good urgency and sinks his hips at the top of routes to create separation...
"Due to his separation and grass-finding abilities, Williams creates positive throwing opportunities for his quarterback..."
Grade: A-
Round 3, Pick No. 95, the Patriots select Jared Wilson, center, Georgia
(The Patriots traded their initial No. 77 pick to the Panthers for picks 85 and 146 and then sent No. 85 to the Chiefs for pick 95 and a 2026 fourth-rounder)
In round three, the Patriots revert to the Bill Belichick-style of the trading down tactic and do so twice. They wind up with a third-round pick, No. 95 from Kansas City and a Chiefs fourth-rounder in 2026. In so doing, they leave several interesting players on the board in pass-rusher, Princely Umanmielen, wide receiver, Jaylin Noel, and right tackle, Emery Jones Jr.
With the KC pick, the Pats take Georgia's starting center, the 6'3", 310-pound Jared Wilson. As with their three previous picks, the selected player is at a position of need and a consensus, highly-rated one at their position. A bit undersized, Wilson compensates with huge, vice-like hands at 10.75".
He's Pro Football Focus's top-rated center in the draft and NFL.com's top-rated athlete among centers, having run a remarkable 4.84 forty-yard dash at the Combine. What Wilson lacks in pure mass, he makes up for in athletic ability.
The Draft Network staff sums up his abilities nicely,
"In protection, Wilson is everything you want from a center. He understands the importance of body presence when he’s working in a protection slide, but also has disciplined eyes to diagnose pressures. His grip strength is incredible. When he latches onto opponents, there is simply nothing they can do to shake him..."
Grade: A-
Round 4, Pick No. 106, the Patriots select Craig Woodson, Safety, California
In the fourth round, with a pick acquired from Dallas, the Patriots made their first defensive pick, Craig Woodson, a 6'0', 200-pound safety from California. Woodson was Pro Football Focus's 13th-rated safety in the 2025 draft and their 167th player overall. He had 70 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions in 2024.
nfl.com had Woodson projected as a fifth-round pick. Here's what they say about the Golden Bears' safety,
"Woodson is an athletic down safety with easy hips and good change-of-direction quickness. He’s a quick thinker and reactor to route combinations and quarterback actions. His make-up speed is average and he has a tougher time blanketing big targets. He’s ready and willing in run support but lacks the stopping power and block take-on of a typical box safety. Woodson can play on special teams and should compete for a job as a dime safety.
Since he was drafted with pick No. 106, this is the Patriots' first pick that could be considered somewhat of a "reach", or a player being overdrafted. In addition, safety is a position of lesser need than several others. The team still needs a young edge player (Jack Sawyer from Ohio State was available), a young developmental tight end, a defensive tackle, another wide receiver, a left tackle (or two), and maybe even another running back.
Grade: C+
Round 5, Pick No. 137, the Patriots select Joshua Farmer, defensive tackle, Florida State
(The Patriots traded their initial 144th and 238th picks to the Seattle Seahawks for pick No. 137 in the fourth round)
With the 137th pick in the fourth round acquired from Seattle, the Patriots select Joshua Farmer, defensive tackle from Florida. The Patriots need a defensive tackle and traded back into the fourth round to select the 6'3", 305-pound Farmer. He had a nice season in 2024 for the Seminoles. He notched 32 total tackles, eight for a loss, and a solid four sacks.
In their Overview of the player, they predicted him as a third-round value, and NFL.com had this to say about the big Seminoles' defensive tackle,
"Broad-shouldered interior defender worth consideration as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 interior lineman. Farmer needs to play as a two-gapper who muddies the pocket. He’s powerful, with long arms and strong hands. His anchor is average but should improve if he’s allowed to use that length to gain early control at the point of attack. There is nothing tricky about his rush, but he can jar blockers backward with a single punch..."
Grade: A-
With the 146th pick in the fifth round acquired in the trade with Carolina, the Patriots selected an edge, Bradyn Swinson from LSU. Swinson is another top need pick, a 6'4", 255-pound edge pass-rush specialist with long arms and big hands. Swinson had a terrific 2024, notching 58 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a solid 8.5 sacks.
Here's what nfldraftbuzz.com has to say about the big, LSU pass-rusher,
"When it comes to getting after the quarterback, Swinson shows special traits that will have NFL teams salivating. His explosive get-off and refined hand usage aren't just tools - they're weapons that will translate immediately against NFL tackles. The burst he shows attacking the B-gap and the savvy he displays setting up counters suggest a pass rusher who's ready to contribute from day one."
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick No. 182, the Patriots select Andres Borregales, kicker, Miami
(The Patriots traded their fifth-round pick No. 171 to the Detroit Lions for pick No. 182 in the sixth round and pick No. 228 in the seventh round.)
With the 182nd pick in the sixth round acquired in the trade with Detroit, the Patriots selected Andres Borregales, a kicker, from Miami. After losing free agent Joey Slye, the Pats looked to add another kicker. Borreales will compete with John Parker Romo. NFL.com had this to say about the former Hurricanes kicker:
"Four-year kicker who leaves Miami with a reputation for being accurate and clutch. The keys to Borregales’ accuracy are his repeatable stroke and consistent ball-striking. He doesn’t have a cannon for a right leg but he has enough power to hit from distance at an admirable clip. He has a good chance to win a pro job as a rookie.
Grade: B+
Round 7, Pick No. 220, the Patriots select Marcus Bryant, offensive tackle, Missouri
The Patriots continue to bolster their offensive line and select offensive tackle Marcus Bryant from Missouri. He played opposite first-round right tackle Armand Membou. The gigantic, 6'7", 320-pound Bryant will compete for the swing tackle role. His experience on both sides of the line could be an asset to Coach Vrabel, and he could be groomed to step in when Morgan Moses moves on.
nfl.com comments about the huge Missouri Tigers' tackle in their Overview of the player,
"Fifth-year senior with 42 career starts between SMU and Missouri. Bryant is a tall tackle whose upper-body strength and punch timing are critical in making up for his lack of natural knee-bend... Bryant has the tools to provide pass protection in the NFL, but he needs to keep working on the consistency of his technique."
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick No. 251, the Patriots select long snapper, Julian Ashby, Vanderbilt
(The Patriots traded their seventh-round, No. 228 acquired from Detroit to Kansas City for picks No. 251 and 257 in the seventh round. )
In the seventh round, pick No. 251 was acquired from Kansas City, and the Patriots selected long snapper Julian Ashby from Vanderbilt. Ashby will provide competition in camp for the current long-snapper, Joe Cardona.
Grade: B
Round 7, Pick No. 257, the Patriots select Kobee Minor, defensive back, University of Memphis
In the seventh round with the pick No. 257, acquired from Kansas City, the last pick in the NFL draft, the Patriots selected 2025's "Mr. Irrelevant", Kobee Minor, a defensive back from the University of Memphis. The 6'0", 190-pound Minor registered 38 total stops, seven tackles for loss, six passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two sacks. That's solid production from a seventh-round pick.
Grade: A
Those are the grades of every pick in the 2025 New England Patriots' draft. From this perspective, it was a masterpiece centered on drafting consensus players when they should be drafted at positions of need. It's one of the best in recent memory. With Mike Vrabel at the helm, the personnel dynamic in Foxborough has dramatically changed, resulting in an almost unheard-of grade for a Patriots draft.
OVERALL PATRIOTS' 2025 DRAFT GRADE: A