Now that we're hitting the lull period of free agency, all eyes are on the 2025 NFL Draft and who the Patriots might pick, especially in the first round. It has been the dominating topic since it was clear they would have a top-5 pick, with most of the conversation surrounding the best receivers or left tackles of the incoming class.
That has inevitably made Colorado's Travis Hunter the top candidate to go to New England and be the weapon Drake Maye needs, even more so after the new regime did not sign that kind of receiver in free agency so far. It also highlighted LSU's Will Campbell to hold down the left side of the offensive line, which remains a problem after the first week of free agent signings.
Both would be a tremendous help on an evolving offense, but there's a good chance Hunter won't fall into the Patriots' lap at No. 4, and Campbell being drafted that high might be a bad move. So that might force them to look at different prospects for the improvement they need, which is what Mike Dussault of Patriots.com did in his latest mock draft.
However, Dussault's first-round pick might not be too popular among Patriots fans despite how impressive he was during his college career.
The Patriots surprise everyone and choose the best running back of the 2025 NFL Draft class in the first round
Although most of the focus has been on the Patriots taking a wide receiver early in the draft to help Drake Maye, Dussault's latest mock draft has them taking a different impressive weapon and instead adding a running back.
The roster might not need to prioritize that position so high in the draft, given that Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are on the team, but Dussault argues that it would be foolish to pass on the kind of talent that Ashton Jeanty contains and the impact he would make on the offense.
"Other potential fourth-overall picks would come with significant questions, but Jeanty seems the closest to a sure thing. As we've repeatedly discovered, it's hard to acquire elite weaponry, especially at the wide receiver position. Many would prefer to get that WR piece first for the Patriots, but in the meantime, a potential superstar running back is staring the team in the face. Ignore the noise of devalued running backs. Take the best one in the draft and give the offense an injection of excitement and big-play ability."
it's hard not to buy what he's selling, right?
Dussault makes a fair argument, and considering the value Jeanty could add to the offense, it's difficult to suggest otherwise. He might not be the receiver fans want, and that's fair, but the Patriots offense needs a boost no matter what, and that's something Jeanty encompasses.
In 2024 alone, he recorded 374 carries for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, all while averaging 7.0 yards per carry and 185 yards per game. On top of that, he was also a help in the receiving game, adding 23 receptions for 138 yards and a score; imagine that in the backfield for Maye to work with.
That might not be enough for most Patriots fans to accept taking a running back in the first round, though.