Following another gut-wrenching loss, New England's fourth one-possession defeat of the season, the Patriots have found their way up to No. 6 in the latest NFL Draft order for 2025.
Drake Maye remains a bright spot for the 3-8 Pats, receiving high praise from Rams' head coach Sean McVay after Los Angeles outlasted New England 28-22 on Sunday. With the way the season has trended, it's almost certain that the Patriots will be able to take a high-impact player at the top of the draft.
While New England could stand pat at No. 6, in this mock draft, the Patriots take a gamble, trading the pick to a divisional rival while still getting their target in the process.
New England Patriots 2025 mock draft after Week 11
TRADE!
With needs at both wide receiver and offensive tackle, this trade seems like a massive gamble for the Patriots, but adding the 2026 first-rounder to a team rebuilding around Maye is the way to go here. Also, one can be confident the Patriots will go hard after a wide receiver in free agency, potentially Tee Higgins. Even if New England secures a WR via free agency, adding another one through the draft is not out of the realm of possibility.
In this instance, however, the Patriots make way for the Dolphins to select yet another playmaker for their offense in Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty, the highly sought-after running back from Boise State.
The Pats have to wait patiently, as six picks later, they have a potentially franchise-altering decision to make. Staring New England straight in the face are Kelvin Banks, Jr. (OT, Texas) and Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri).
Round 1: No. 12 pick
While tempting to go with a playmaker at No. 12, the Patriots can't ignore a potential franchise left tackle in Banks, who has already been projected in the top 10 to the Pats. Getting Banks at No. 12 is a steal, and New England cannot pass that up.
Banks has started all ten games at left tackle for an explosive Texas offense that ranks 18th in the country in total offense and 13th in scoring offense. With the 6-4" and 320-pound anchor at LT protecting Quinn Ewers' blindside, Texas ranks 12th in the nation in passing offense this season.
He is a semifinalist for the 2024 Lombardi and Joe Moore Awards, and there is a good chance he will take home some hardware at the end of this season.
Round 2: No. 38 pick
If you thought Banks at No. 12 was a steal, wait until you see Pearce waiting for New England at No. 38 overall. Pearce was once mentioned as the 2025 Draft's No. 1 overall prospect and has been mentioned as high as the Patriots' No. 1 overall pick. With none of the top receivers remaining at the top of the second round, this pick is a no-brainer for the Pats.
Standing 6-5 and weighing 243 pounds, Pearce is a force on the edge. He's recorded a career-high 30 tackles this season for 8-2 Tennessee to go along with 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble with two regular season games left on the schedule.
He's a semifinalist for both the 2024 Bednarik and Lombardi Awards. With Deatrich Wise Jr. set to become an unrestricted free agent, Pearce could be picked to join forces with Keion White to take the Pats' pass rush to the next level.
Round 3: No. 70 pick
The steals keep coming with the Patriots' third pick of the 2025 draft, No. 70 overall in the third round. With a young left tackle in Banks already in the bag, New England beefs up the offensive line even more by taking Alabama offensive guard Booker.
At 6-5, 325 pounds, Booker is built like a tackle but has made his living at guard. He played both right and left guard during his career but spent the majority of his time at left guard. He's started 10 games in 2024, including one at left tackle, which shows his flexibility on the line. It's been no secret that Maye has been running for his life in 2024.
Adding Banks and Booker could help Maye achieve his full potential and help the Pats take steps toward becoming a championship team.
Round 3: No. 84 pick
With their bonus pick coming from the Matthew Judon trade, New England opts to boost their interior defensive line with the Oregon standout Harmon. The 6-5, 310-pound defense tackle has started ten games this season for the No. 1 team in the country, recording 36 tackles and three sacks from his interior position.
The Patriots have Christian Barmore, who just returned after dealing with health issues, signed through 2028. Adding another force on the inside to pair with the duo of White and Pearce on the edge would quickly make the Patriots' defense championship-worthy.
Going through three rounds without selecting a wide receiver won't make Patriots fans too happy on the surface. However, if they find their WR in free agency and can make both lines a force in the trenches, the wins and, gasp, championships could return to Foxboro sooner than later, and all will be right again at 1 Patriot Place.