The 2025 Patriots will be a rebuilt version of the dysfunctional 2024 team. The Mike Vrabel-led regime is already amid a massive personnel turnover. As speculated, Vrabel primarily focused on defense in free agency. That's not a problem yet.
The assumption is that Vrabel will now lean heavily toward offense in the draft, which is exactly where he should be focused. The offensive options in free agency weren't optimum for a splash of cash. The market in two positions of most need, wide receiver and left tackle, were limited. Vrabel made the right choice by centering almost totally on revamping the D.
The offense is next up. Fixes include pre-draft trades (he has players he can deal) and the draft. Vrabel knows winning now is the objective. He has to upgrade his offense with his top five draft picks to win. All must start or at least contribute right out of the gate. That's why optimism should abound in Patriot Nation. If Vrabel drafts right and adds trades, he has a playoff team in the making.
The Patriots will crush an offensive draft in April
Vrabel will utilize his high draft position in every round to add top players. He'll take the best player on the board at pick No. 4 or trade down a pick or three and still get the best player at his position in the draft and maybe another high pick. Expect that top pick to be the best player available. Then, he'll bolster his offensive line with young talent.
Having Drake Maye entering his second season and ready to tear the top off the NFL is a prime incentive for Vrabel to get him the offensive pieces he needs. Vrabel is aware that he has to shore up his offensive line further in the draft. He has added two veteran upgrades in tackle, Morgan Moses and center/guard Wes Schweitzer, in free agency. Both may start.
After the first round, expect Vrabel to draft tackles and flexible tackle/guard prospects. He has no choice but to load up on those positions. Fortunately, in this draft, players who can fill those needs will be available on Day Two.
Look for Vrabel to select at least three O-linemen in the first five rounds. A left tackle is an absolute. Then, he should add a couple more left tackles who can also slot in at guard, if necessary. Vrabel knows he can't be caught short at the left tackle position. There are still no NFL-caliber left tackles on the roster.
He won't make the same mistake the team naively did in 2024. They neglected the position entirely, foolishly thinking two right tackles could man it. Neither could even play on the right. The season was over before it began.
Mike Vrabel will beef up the wide receiver position in the draft
The Patriots' wide receiver position needs work. Vrabel has an NFL-capable receiver in Pop Douglas if healthy. He also signed Mack Hollins from Buffalo, a winner and an under-the-radar nice addition. He'll add to the team as a No. 2B/3 receiver, red zone threat, and special teamer. Nevertheless, Vrabel has to add a No. 1 wideout. It's an imperative. He has trades and the draft to apply to do so.
The best he can do is to get lucky (or trade up) and draft Travis Hunter with his No. 4 overall pick. It won't get any better than that. Hunter is a two-position generational talent. He'd immediately man the No. 1 receiver role. He'll also be a lock-down cornerback who can play alongside Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III on third downs.
If Hunter and another option at No. 4, Abdul Carter (assuming he checks out medically), are off the board, Vrabel still has excellent options. He can take the best tackle in the draft, Will Campbell of LSU, who starts Day One at left tackle. Alternatively, he can shock the league and add a super complement to Maye's passing, and draft the best running back in the draft, Ashton Jeanty of Boise State.
Whatever option he takes with his first pick, Vrabel still needs to add one or two more tackles (preferably college left tackles) and a wide receiver in the premium rounds (one through three) and rounds four and five. If he does so, he'll set the team up for success now.
Mike Vrabel greatly improved his defense and added better players on offense in free agency. He can complete the offseason makeover by upgrading his offensive line and wide receivers in the draft. If he does, expect a team that makes the playoffs in 2025.