The 2025 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, and who the Patriots will take in the first round is among the hottest topics in the league. They have plenty of great options, but how the first three selections pan out will ultimately dictate their fate, which isn't the most favorable position to be in and something the fans are not thrilled about.
New England continues to be the favorite to land either LSU left tackle Will Campbell, who has been in the news a lot recently due to arm measurements, and Heisman Trophy-winning CB/WR Travis Hunter from Colorado.
Either would fill a void on offense that wasn't entirely dealt with (or at all) in free agency, making it difficult to argue against the Patriots choosing them.
However, in a new mock draft conducted by former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum, the Patriots are drafting a different tackle at No. 4, which has created controversy in the days since its publication, mainly because it involves selecting a right tackle instead.
Ex-NFL executive has the Patriots drafting a right tackle in the first round
In many of the latest mock drafts, there is a scenario where the Patriots may not have the opportunity to select Hunter at No. 4, as he could be chosen by one of the teams ahead of them on the draft board. That has forced those making the mocks to adapt and introduce other solid options for them with their first round pick, which seems to be the route Tannenbaum took in his new draft for ESPN.
Instead of going with the obvious and popular choice in Campbell, he has the Patriots take Armand Membou out of Missouri. The impressive right tackle has risen in the ranks over the past few weeks and would be a great addition for New England, with just one issue that Tannenbaum thinks can be easily addressed.
"Last season, the Patriots were 31st in pass block win rate (50.9%), and their 52 sacks allowed tied for the fifth most. So that's my focus. Membou played in 36 games and started 30 at Missouri, and he allowed one sack last season. I believe he can shift from right tackle to left tackle, too. He moves really well and shows solid hand placement. He's also very explosive, posting the best broad jump (9-foot-7) and second-fastest 40-yard dash (4.91 seconds) of all offensive linemen at the combine.
The idea of new Pats coach Mike Vrabel taking a tackle reminds me of Jim Harbaugh selecting Joe Alt in his first draft with the Chargers, and I think bringing in Membou would be a similar tone-setting pick."
If Membou could legitimately switch from the right to the left side and be the Patriots' starting left tackle, then this pick might not be so bad. It appears many analysts and draft experts believe he could accomplish that with ease. That isn't necessarily the confidence the team should rely on, but it does hold some weight.
However, they have tried this far too many times in the past, with the 2024 season being the latest example of failure. It would seem like a safer bet to go with the player who has already played at left tackle, which would put Campbell at the top of the list.
There is a chance that his arm length will be a problem, though, as it has been for other teams evaluating tackles. That could move Membou ahead of him, and based on his production in college, it's hard not to like what he could bring to the Patriots.