Free agency is approaching, and the draft will follow not long after. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has a monstrous challenge ahead with a roster that needs Supercuts and a shave, aka a massive makeover. The good news is that he has a lot of cap space and top draft picks to deploy to get that job done.
Vrabel's offseason strategy, as reflected in this draft, is twofold and may be unprecedented. First, he'll allocate the majority of his cap space in free agency to restock his defense. Vrabel is a defensive coach and knows NFL players from firsthand experience. He will be more than able to select the several top players on D, who'll immediately upgrade that side of the ball.
In the second phase of the reconstruction after free agency, Vrabel will employ the unheard-of accompanying strategy of drafting exclusively offense. This two-fold strategy may be unique, but since both sides of the ball will be dramatically refashioned, it's potentially kinetic.
So, Let's go and draft just offense in this mock draft.
The Patriots select Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter with No. 4 pick
There's only one best player in any NFL draft. If you have a high enough pick (and it's not the first) and the board falls right, you may get him. In 2025, the Patriots will do just that and select Colorado's dual-threat wide receiver/cornerback, Travis Hunter. Vrabel rolls the dice and hits a seven! It's pretty simple: if Hunter is available when you pick, he's the pick.
It was unlikely that Hunter would fall to the Patriots at four. But amazingly, he did, and it signals a new era and maybe one of great good fortune. In one fell swoop, Vrabel has his No. One wide receiver and also a third-down, lockdown cornerback (Pro Football Focus' top player in the draft), as well.
cbssports.com has this to say about the amazing Hunter,
"We all know Colorado's Travis Hunter is extraordinarily talented and a lock to be one of the first picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and as his likely Heisman-winning season has progressed, he made it abundantly clear that he's spectacular both as a receiver and cornerback.
"It's genuinely been the most dazzling two-way season we've witnessed at the collegiate level since Charles Woodson at Michigan in 1997 or Champ Bailey at Georgia the following year.
"And because of Hunter's supreme traits, being spectacular at receiver and cornerback tracks. His level of conditioning is the most mind-blowing. Before Colorado's bowl game, Hunter has played a gargantuan 1,443 snaps for the Buffaloes this season. The word "incredible" doesn't even do that justice. "
Round 2, Pick No. 38: Patriots select Arizona tackle Jonah Savaiinaea
The Patriots make a tactical move with their own Pick, No. 38, in the second round and swing a trade with the Arizona Cardinals. They send their 38th and 145th picks to the Cardinals for their 47th and 78th pick. This draft is about quality, and the Patriots will gain another third-round premium pick. With pick No. 47, they select Jonah Savaiinaea, a big offensive tackle from Arizona.
Heading into the 2024 season, ESPN’s @FieldYates lists Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan as his No. 8 overall NFL Draft prospect.
— Matt Reynoldson (@Matt_Reynoldson) August 28, 2024
OT Jonah Savaiinaea comes in at No. 20 and CB Tacario Davis checks in at No. 25. Playoff-caliber talent.
The 6'5", 336-pound Savaiinaea is PFF's third-ranked offensive tackle in the draft. They comment on the big Arizona tackle,
"Savaiinaea started at right guard for the Wildcats as a true freshman before kicking out to right tackle this past season. He looked comfortable at tackle, especially in pass protection. The sophomore’s 79.7 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets placed him in the 83rd percentile for FBS tackles.
"Bull rushing him is a fool’s errand because he’s 335 pounds with good balance and strong hands. There’s work to be done as a run-blocker (61.0 grade in 2023) and he may be best as a guard long-term, but Savaiinaea still has first-round potential."
Savaiinaea, while not a left tackle, still fills a huge hole on the porous offensive line. Vrabel needs several additions there, and he'll start immediately. The need for a left tackle persists, and Vrabel may have to draft one later or trade for one.
Round 3, pick No. 69: Patriots select LSU tackle Emery Jones Jr.
Vrabel is acutely aware that there were no NFL-quality offensive tackles on the roster last season. With Pat's own third-round pick, No. 69, he goes back to the offensive tackle well and selects a true wild card in Emery Jones Jr. of LSU.
While Jones also played right tackle at LSU, the Tigers' having the best offensive lineman in the country, Will Campbell, on the other side dictated his position. Wherever he plays, he'll upgrade the position. Can he play on the left side? Who knows? But wherever it is, expect him to also start from Day One.
bleacherreport.com talks about the 6'6", 322-pound LSU tackle,
"Jones brings good square power and length to deliver jolt on angle-drive blocks, generate displacement and keep defenders at his fingertips to create alleys off of his backside while looking to strain and finish once latched...
"Overall, Jones has the frame, play strength and demeanor to deliver jolt, displacement and high-level finishes with the youth and flashes of proper posture and strike timing in pass protection to indicate considerable upside, but shaky body control and balance too often sap his ability to sustain, leaving more questions than answers in his projection to the NFL."
Round 3, pick No. 77: Patriots select RB Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State
Having landed probably the best wide receiver in the draft, the Pats now turn to another skill position of need: running back. They will select Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins with pick No. 77, acquired from Atlanta in the Matt Judon trade. The 6'0", 219-pound Judkins is a productive back, having gained 1060 yards with a 5.5 yards per carry average and scored 14 touchdowns for the Champion Buckeyes in 2024.
Judkins adds solid depth and allows Vrabel to fill another hole by trading a player or two, e.g., Rhamondre Stevenson. At worst, Judkins adds depth to a decent backfield that is in dire need of reinforcements.
bleacherreport.com comments on the big back's qualities,
"Quinshon Judkins is a talented and physical running back with a three-down skill set.
He is a patient runner with good vision who finds his way through the line of scrimmage. Judkins presses and exchanges to find daylight through the second level of the defense. He is advanced at getting what is blocked and extra yards if available. He is capable of making moves on alley defenders when faced with one-on-one situations...
"Judkins is a playmaker with the burst and acceleration needed to generate big plays with the ball in his hands. He wins the corner and beats pursuit angles. Judkins is a good pass catcher out of the backfield—he even lines up in the slot and out wide. He has soft hands to safely secure the ball in space."
The Patriots add another offensive lineman, guard, Tate Ratledge of Georgia
With their third third-round pick acquired from Arizona in the earlier trade, the Patriots move to shore up their lackluster offensive guard situation and draft Tate Rutledge from perennial SEC Powerhouse, Georgia. The 6'6", 320-pound Ratledge is PFF's second-ranked interior offensive lineman and they list his strengths,
"Strengths:
• Impressive footwork in pass pro to stay balanced and strong while shuffling
• Hands eventually get inside consistently
• Good grip strength to maintain blocks
• Adequate leg drive for the pro-level
• Good technique when combo blocking
• Good first-step quickness and coordination for climbing and zone-blocking"
In light of the Patriots' dreadful offensive line in 2024, drafting a third O-lineman makes perfect sense for Mike Vrabel, as he seeks to reshape the second most important unit on the team. Expect Ratledge to compete for a starting job immediately and if the underperforming and overpaid, Mike Onwenu is traded, he'll be an immediate starter.
Round 4, pick No. 104: Patriots select tight end Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon
In the fourth round, with their own pick, the Patriots select tight end (TE) Terrance Ferguson of Oregon. With their likely top two tight ends, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper (if re-signed), both over 30, the Pats need an infusion of youth at the TE position. Ferguson, a favorite here, fits the bill.
The 6'5", 255-pound Duck is an emerging star at the position, and he'll be groomed to take over a top spot if/when Henry and/or Hooper leave. Ferguson caught 43 passes for 591 yards and three scores in only 12 games in 2024. lastwordonsports.com comments on the big Oregon tight end's strengths,
"Ferguson is a smooth mover out of his release, using his above-average speed to drive downfield quickly. He accelerates better than most tight ends and is able to navigate through traffic smoothly at the second level. He can line up all over the field and has the athleticism to operate through different release packages. His vertical cuts are solid, sinking through his hips and keeping sharp footwork to generate downfield momentum.
"He sets himself up to inside route cuts well, using his frame to engage and release at the top of his routes. Ferguson extends laterally at the top of his routes and his large catch radius allows him to corral passes away from his frame. His hands are consistent and reliable, reeling in throws with confidence. He transitions downfield quickly after the catch, gliding downfield with solid athleticism. His leaping ability also lets him be a naturally effective red zone threat, boxing out defenders and bringing down jump balls."
Round 7, pick No. 219: Patriots select receiver Antwane Wells Jr. out of Mississippi
The Patriots had traded their fifth-round pick in the deal with Arizona. They had no sixth-round pick (traded in the J.C. Jackson trade to the LA Chargers), so they waited until the seventh to make three more selections. With pick No. 219, acquired from Tennessee in the Nick Folk trade, they selected the 6'1", 208-pound wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. of Mississippi.
Wells had only 28 catches in 2024 after transferring from South Carolina to Ole Miss, but he made them good for 553 yards, a 19.8-yard average, and, six TDs. He's a big-play receiver and the Patriots take a flier on another one here in Wells, in addition to the fantastic Travis Hunter.
thedraftnetwork.com cites his big-play ability,
"While Wells proves to be a plus-level route-runner, his most dangerous trait is his run-after-the-catch ability. Wells is a well-proportioned receiver who has a strong lower half and a well-built upper body. This combined with his athletic ability and short-area quickness/elusiveness makes him a tough tackle for defenders. Wells can take a short throw (screen) and pick up significant yardage by maneuvering through a maze of defenders. When Wells catches the ball with space in front of him, he can quickly accelerate through arm tackles and turn upfield quickly. "
Round 7, pick No. 222: Patriots select running back Devin Neal from Kansas
With their own pick, pick No. 222 in the seventh round; the Patriots continue to stockpile offensive skill players and again replenish the running back room. They draft Kansas running back Devin Neal. The 5'11', 2028-pound Neal gained 1000 yards in each of his last three seasons for the Jayhawks. Neal's being available this late is testimony to this draft's being very deep at running back.
In 2024, he toted the rock for 1266 yards, a 5.5 yards-per-carry average, and scored a whopping 16 TDs. He added 24 catches for 254 yards and another TD through the air. He's an all-purpose back who'll provide quality depth and competition, if not step right in as an immediate contributor.
nfldraftbuzz.com says this about the Jayhawk,
"Neal projects as a dynamic change-of-pace back at the next level, with the potential to develop into a more significant role. His skill set is best suited for a zone-blocking scheme that can take advantage of his vision and one-cut ability. While he may not be an immediate three-down workhorse, Neal's explosiveness and versatility make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add a spark to their backfield."
Round 7, pick No. 239: Patriots select receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Auburn
The Patriots set about in this draft to bolster an offense that had deficiencies almost everywhere, from the big guys up front to all the skill positions save the quarterback. They finished the job by using pick No. 239 in the seventh round, acquired from the LA Chargers in the J. C. Jackson trade, to select wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Auburn.
Then 6'1", 181-pound Lambert-Smith caught 50 passes for 991 yards and eight TDs for the Tigers last season. He also sported a hefty 19.6 yards-per-catch average. He potentially provides another big-play target for Drake Maye to find in the open in 2025.
That's a mega, all-offense draft by Mike Vrabel. Having secured key defensive additions in free agency, he adds nine offensive players in the draft. They include the best wide receiver (and player) in the entire draft and two more receivers, three offensive linemen, a tight end, and two running backs. There'll be lots more talent around in 2025. Who could ask for anything more?