The New England Patriots have turned the page on the failed Jerod Mayo era, bringing in former Super Bowl champion Mike Vrabel in an attempt to build themselves back up into a team that can be feared and respected in the AFC. First, Vrabel must revamp a substandard overall roster.
The offensive line is still one of the worst in the league despite signing Morgan Moses, the lack of skill position weapons outside of Stefon Diggs is concerning, and the pass rush is below average. Vrabel has some key areas he needs to attack in order to support young quarterback Drake Maye.
If the Patriots are trying their best to prop up Maye and turn this team around in short order, the most effective way to do so would be following the plan outlined in this 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft and fixing many of this roster's biggest issues.
New England Patriots 7-round NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 4: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Moses will start at right tackle, but left tackle is still a black hole with no clear high-end starter. While much has been made about Campbell's shorter arms amid talk of a possible conversion to guard, reports suggest that New England has been evaluating him as a quality left tackle who could start for 10 years.
Not only has Campbell proven himself against a gauntlet of future professional pass rushers, but he has done so while showcasing tremendous power, mobility in pass protection, and football IQ. Campbell is a safe pick who will be a trusted protector of Maye for years to come if he hits his stride.
Round 2, Pick 38: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Despite the pressing need to fix the Patriots' offense, their defense has taken some steps back in recent years. After signing Carlton Davis in the offseason, a player like Scourton could emerge as a starter next to Keion White, Harold Landry, and Milton Williams on what has become a very promising defensive line.
For someone who weighs 285 pounds, Scourton brings remarkable athleticism to the position. When paired with his frightening power as a rusher and ability to play the run, the former Purdue transfer seems like a perfect Vrabel defensive lineman who can make plays right away.
Round 3, Pick 69: Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia
The release of center David Andrews has created a new hole on the interior for New England. Even with Wilson only having one year of high-end starting experience, his athletic testing paired with his tape should be more than enough to convince the Patriots that he could force his way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
Round 3, Pick 77: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
It is fair to have some questions about Bech's speed and ability to be a downfield playmaker, but there will always be a home in the NFL for solid route-runners with sticky hands and the ability to use his size to great effect in the red zone. Bech might end up surpassing Ja'Lynn Polk on the depth chart by the end of the year.
Round 4, Pick 106: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
Rhamondre Stevenson has taken a sharp decline from the lofty heights he was at in past seasons, and more competition is needed. Vrabel is a guy who loves big, bruising backs, so adding a player with size and short-area burst like Giddens could give Maye another quality back to lean on.
Round 5, Pick 144: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Evans is only down this low due to some durability concerns that put a hard cap on his ability to take charge in college. When healthy, he pairs a 6-6 frame with some impressive contortion skills that will aid him in securing tough catches over the middle. Evans may soon take ownership of TE2 behind Hunter Henry.
Round 5, Pick 171: Brashard Smith, RB/WR, SMU
Smith was a decent receiver at Miami before converting to running back at SMU and amassing 1,300 yards on the ground last season. A versatile offensive weapon, Josh McDaniels could have some fun designing creative ways to get him the ball in open space.
Round 7, Pick 220: Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State
After an up-and-down start at Colorado, Christian-Lichtenhan managed to put ot all together with a strong performance at Oregon State. At 6-8 with incredibly long arms, New England would be wise to bring him on as a developmental tackle with more upside than most Day 3 guys.
Round 7, Pick 238: Efton Chism III, WR, Eastern Washington
Chism had five years of contributions at Eastern Washington, and he did so on the back of exceptional short-area quickness and route-running. Arguably the most egregious NFL Combine snub, Chism is, without question, a draftable player.