Entering the 2025 offseason, the Patriots were a team in transition in need of top players at lots of positions. Free agency was one place that needs could be met, and the team did to an extent. Bringing in Milton Williams helped the defensive tackle (DT) situation dramatically. Added to a healthy Christian Barmore and Keion White, the Pats present a formidable trio at DT.
They added a solid No. 2 in Carlton Davis III to the corner room. As a fly-around-the-field option at linebacker, Robert Spillane added a new and exciting dimension to the second line defense. In addition, on offense, the Pats bolstered the (N)O-line by adding a long-in-the-tooth but still effective warrior at right tackle, Morgan Moses. And Mack Hollins adds to the wide receiver room to an extent, as well.
Vrabel has primarily gone defense, as speculated in free agency. Yet, the wide receiver No. 1 and 2 positions still need to be addressed, as well as the all-important left-tackle position. We'll see how Mike Vrabel can address the positions still lacking in this mock draft. The thought here is, he does it in style.
Round 1, pick No. 4: Patriots select CB/WR Travis Hunter out of Colorado
When you get lucky and have a chance to draft the best player in the draft, you just do it. The chips fall nicely for the Patriots, and with the No. 4 pick overall in the NFL draft, they select a two-position superstar prospect, Colorado's Travis Hunter. There's no better selection they could have made.
Hunter is arguably the best wide receiver (WR) in the draft and almost certainly the best cornerback. The No. 1 wide receiver-needy Pats need an infusion of talent and excitement in the WR room. Hunter instantaneously provides it. In addition, he can slot in as a third-down cornerback in style.
Landing Hunter gives the Patriots' draft an A+ grade, no matter what else they do. But things kept getting better thereafter. Hunter enters the NFL with a top receiving season for the Buffaloes under his belt. He notched 96 receptions for 1258 yards and 15 TDs in 2024.
ESPN cites their draft expert extraordinaire, Mel Kiper's, view of Hunter's draft status,
"Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this past season. I really think he has a chance to make an impact on both sides of the ball early in his pro career, though I'm ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling to use him.
"Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but the Heisman winner also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential."
Round 2, pick No. 38: Patriots select LT Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota
Mike Vrabel's top two objectives in this draft were to add a top wide receiver, which was done, and then fortify the left tackle position. He begins Day Two by selecting Minnesota's massive LT, Aireontae Ersery, with pick No. 38. It's a solid selection.
The 6'6", 331-pound Ersery will step right into the Patriots' starting left tackle position. After drafting the best player in the draft, Vrabel wastes little time to add his starting left tackle, which is the second-most important position on the field, bar none.
thedraftnetwork.com highlights Ersery's abilities,
"Aireontae Ersery enters the NFL draft as a three-year starter for the Minnesota Gophers offense. Ersery has racked up more than 38 starts at Minnesota at the tackle position. Ersery is a highly experienced tackle who has great length combined with quickness that sets the foundation for Ersery's effectiveness as a blocker in both the run game and pass protection.
"At the OT position, Ersery presents a difficult obstacle for defenders to work around and through in the passing game. He has great arm length to create separation between him and the defender. After his punches land with good timing and placement, he can lock out and stall any forward momentum. He has a strong upper body, core, and latch strength to gain control of his defender."
Round 3, pick No. 73: Patriots select RT Emery Jones from LSU
Having added a left tackle, Mike Vrabel traded down in the third round to enhance his positioning. He sent the Patriots' third-round pick, No. 69, and his fifth-rounder, No. 144, to the Jets for their picks No. 73 in the third and No. 110 in the fourth.
Vrabel then further strengthens his tackle position by taking a top SEC tackle, Emery Jones from LSU, with pick No. 73. Jones slotted in at right tackle for LSU, maybe only having to man that position because the best tackle in the nation, Will Campbell, handled the left side for the Tigers.
The Patriots added a left tackle in Aireontae Ersery earlier and also added veteran right tackle Morgan Moses in free agency. Jones provides a solid backup and developmental guy to slot in behind Moses or Ersery in a pinch. It's an astute move by Vrabel to further bolster a position that cost the Pats any chance at a winning season in 2024.
nfl.com comments on the big, 6'5", 315-pound LSU right tackle,
"Three-year starting right tackle with broad shoulders and long arms. Jones gets to lateral landmarks on reach blocks, is fluid getting into space and can erase rushers looking to flatten and corner at the edge. His consistency as a run blocker is impacted by a lack of hand-readiness and balance issues that see him on the ground too often. In pass protection, he struggles to gain ground quickly enough, causing him to open and race to the edge. Skilled rushers are sure to attack his pass-setting inconsistencies with success unless coaching can correct the issue. The traits and talent should make him a starter, but there might be issues that flare in the pro game, causing bouts of inconsistency in his play.
"Jones will have the opportunity to refine his game watching Moses perform at right tackle. In a year or two, he'll be primed to step in to replace him. It's a solid move by the team to add more depth at a position that needed it more than any other, perhaps than wide receiver or edge."
Round 3, pick No. 77: Patriots select WR Jaylin Noel out of Iowa State
Continuing to bolster his offense after centering primarily on defense in free agency, Vrabel adds another wide receiver/playmaker to the team with pick No. 77 acquired from Atlanta in the Matt Judon trade. He lands Jaylin Noel from Iowa State. Noel will contend for the team's No. 2 wideout spot immediately.
In 2024, the 5'10, 194-pound Cyclones' star logged 80 catches for 1194 and eight touchdowns. He's a big-play option downfield for Drake Maye, having averaged 14.9 yards per catch for Iowa State last season.
bleacherreport.com says this about the Cyclones' star,
"Noel is a space-creating route runner with good suddenness at the top of his routes to separate quickly from man coverage. He uses quick footwork to freeze defenders at the line of scrimmage before getting vertical into his route. Noel's short-area quickness is a great asset to finding success as a quick game-winner—he can get to his spot quickly and be available for his QB.
"If given a free release, he has an urgent burst off the ball to stem vertically and attack defensive backs. He sells those routes well without tipping his hand on when the break will come. Noel is a manipulative route runner with good stop-and-start ability. His double moves with sudden direction changes put defenders in conflict down the field."
Round 4, pick No. 106: Patriots select TE Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon
Hunter Henry is returning, and the Patriots deftly re-signed Austin Hooper, a solid second option. Now, they move to further fortify the position with a young, terrific prospect with their fourth-round pick, No. 106. They selected Oregon's big, talented tight end, Terrance Ferguson.
Ferguson is a 6'5" and 247-pound playmaker for the Ducks. In 2024, he caught 42 passes for 591 yards, a 13.7-yard average per catch, with five touchdowns. In addition, Ferguson ran a blistering 4.63-second forty-yard dash at the combine. When he gets the ball, he can move with it.
nfldraftbuzz.com comments on his skills,
"Ferguson currently profiles as a solid Day 2 selection in the NFL Draft, likely coming off the board in the second or third round. His combination of size, athleticism, and receiving ability make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add a versatile tight end to their offense.
"While Ferguson may not possess the elite traits of a first-round tight end, his well-rounded skill set and production against top competition suggest he can contribute immediately as a rookie. His ability to line up in multiple spots and threaten defenses at all levels of the field will be attractive to offensive coordinators.
"Ferguson's blocking skills, though not dominant, are sufficient to keep him on the field in most situations..."
Round 4, pick No. 110: Patriots select OT Anthony Belton from NC State
Continuing to stock his dreadful offensive line, Mike Vrabel again goes to the left tackle well and selects NC State's massive, 6'6", 336-pound Anthony Belton with pick No. 110, acquired in the Jets' trade. Vrabel is determined not to get caught short at tackle in 2025, as the team did last season.
Belton is the third tackle he's drafted (two LTs), and it's all good from this vantage point. With his left tackle experience, Belton will easily slot in on the right and/or provide a massive presence at guard in a pinch. Injuries happen to offensive linemen, and Vrabel's stocking the cupboard by drafting several is prime NFL acumen.
nfl.com says this about the massive Wolfpack tackle in their Overview on the player,
"Belton is an enormous tackle with good power and long arms. He can bulldoze the roads clean for running backs but needs to play with better hand placement to sustain his early lead. Belton has the length to shove rushers up and around the pocket but his punch timing is inconsistent and he lacks the body control to consistently respond to inside counters. If a team can steady his feet and improve his hand placement, he could become a solid starter at right tackle, but he will need some help from time to time."
That's a Patriots' mock draft consisting of six top-of-the-draft additions in the first four rounds, all on offense by new Head Coach Mike Vrabel. First, he landed Travis Hunter, who'll start as the team's No. 1 wide receiver and occasionally slot in as a third, lock-down cornerback. Hunter alone gives the draft an A grade.
Vrabel then added many additional pluses to the grade by bringing in three tackles, two on the left, the neediest position on the offense (along with receivers). He also drafted another playmaking wideout and an athletic tight end. Both will contribute immediately. If Vrabel manages this draft, it will be a veritable masterclass.