The all-star games are in the books, and only the Big Game (who cares?) is left of the 2024 NFL season. Good riddance. It was indeed a forgettable one, again for the New England Patriots. But here, we're onto 2025, and the sky's the limit for the Mike Vrabel-led Pats.
Vrabel needs help all over the field, but a truly decrepit offense has to garner much of the attention this offseason in both free agency and in the draft. Vrabel has the top commodity, a potential Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Drake Maye. If he assembles all the necessary pieces on offense, Maye will take this team to the top. Bank on it.
Here we'll get going on a full, 7-round mock draft (using Pro Football Network's draft simulator), which will load up on offense and put some foundational pieces in place for Maye to work his magic. Do what needs to be done, and the playoffs await in 2025. Let's GO!
Round 1, Pick No. 4: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Patriots forego any trade offers, the board falls for them nicely, and Vrabel sticks with the fourth pick overall. In so doing, they get the prize of the 2025 draft, Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter from Colorado. A man after his coach's heart, Deion Sanders, Hunter is the best player in the draft. He's been called a generational talent. That's just what he is.
Hunter is a phenom and arguably the best player in the draft at two positions. This draft is geared toward offense, and Hunter will start at wide receiver. As his stats demonstrate, he's a super weapon for Drake Maye. Paired with a top free agent WR signing, the Patriots offense is immediately upgraded two levels. Add Tee Higgins, and it's positively scary.
Hunter caught 96 passes for 1258 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Buffalos. Adding to the grandeur of the pick, he's also Pro Football Focus' (PFF) top cornerback in the draft. This means he can be inserted on key third-down plays to help in the defensive backfield.
Here's what PFF had to say about the "cornerback's " strengths,
"• Impressive top speed/recovery speed
• Height/length is a big plus for him in press coverage
• Some of the best ball skills you'll ever see in a defensive back
• Has a knack for baiting QBs and making them pay in zone coverage
• Elite zone-coverage player in every way"
It's a grand slam home run pick for Vrabel with his first pick for the Patriots. And he's just getting started. In this draft, he'll load up his offense, both on the O-line and in the skill positions around Drake Maye. In so doing, he sets the stage for a breakout 2025 season.
Round 2, Pick No. 38: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
This is an offense-heavy draft, but Vrabel knows there are two sides of the ball, and he can't pass up a first-round talent in the second round at a position of need. He selects Derrick Harmon, a massive, 6'5", 330-pound bulldozer DT from Oregon. Harmon notched 45 total stops, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 2024.
The D-line is in transition. Deatrich Wise Jr. and Daniel Ekuale are free agents, and Christian Barmore's health situation is of concern. Assuming Davon Godchaux is retained, and Keion White is used inside, Harmon provides a third option if Barmore is sidelined. The position needs reinforcement, and Harmon is a steal in the second round.
Round 3, Pick No. 73: Hollin Pierce, LT, Rutgers
In the third round, the Patriots traded their third-round pick, No. 69, to the Raiders for picks No. 73 and 144. With pick No. 73 from LA, the Pats select massive offensive left tackle Hollin Pierce from Rutgers. The 6'8", 345-pound Pierce could start on either side depending on the Pats' activities in free agency.
Here's what thedraftnetwork.com says about the Rutger's behemoth,
"Pearce is a mountain of a man. At 6-foot-8, his size is both an asset and a challenge. In pass protection, his length and size are key factors in winning reps. It doesn’t take much for him to reach the chest of defenders, and once he makes contact, he can consistently run them past the pocket. However, Pearce struggles to beat defenders to their spot. He lacks the twitch or explosiveness out of his stance to contend with elite speed rushers unless he plays them on a short edge, forcing them to run by. His size often bails him out of adverse situations."
Round 3, Pick No. 7: Grey Zabel, T, North Dakota State
Using the pick obtained from Atlanta in the Matt Judon trade, the Pats finally get some remuneration. They select an ultra-versatile left tackle (some project him to move inside), 6'6", 316-pound Grey Zabel from North Dakota State. Zabel is rising up draft boards, and he's a terrific value pick for a tackle-needy Patriots offensive line.
Here's some of what bleacherreport.com says about the big Bison lineman,
"Zabel excels as a run blocker using very good pad level and leverage to work inside/underneath his target on angle-drive and base blocks, working to step on the toes of the defender, work his hips through and seal off rush lanes behind his back. Once he gets defenders lifted he shows a firm understanding of how to create displacement away from the ball and he strains hard late in the rep to create knockdowns...
"In pass protection Zabel has smooth, calculated footwork to square up rushers with good strike timing and placement to create lift and quickly transition into his anchor to grind down the bull-rush. He will struggle to consistently protect the corner and prevent his outside hand from getting pinned against high-side rushes that suggest a move inside will be necessary as a pro."
Round 4, Pick No. 105: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
In the fourth round, the Patriots swing another trade, this time with the Cardinals, and send pick No. 105 in the fourth round to Arizona for a fourth-rounder, No. 114, and a fifth, No. 168. The Patriots' tight end room is aging. Hunter Henry and free agent Austin Hooper (if he's re-signed) will be over 30 in 2025. Adding the talented, 6'6", 255-pound Terrance Ferguson (a favorite here) is just what the doctor ordered. Ferguson caught 43 passes for 591 yards and three TDs in 2024.
profootballnetwork.com writes this about the Ducks' star,
"Ferguson is a steady “U” tight end, giving him hybrid capabilities as your traditional in-line tight end and as a weapon out of the slot, as well.
"With an NFL-ready build and intriguing flashes as a blocker, Ferguson certainly looks the part physically. He’s a good enough athlete to make plays across the middle of the field, and when he gets his focus right, he’s a sure-handed, big-bodied target who can make grabs in tight coverage."
Round 5, Pick No. 144: Fadil Digs, EDGE, Syracuse
Mike Vrabel is loading up his offense, but he's well aware of his defensive deficiencies. Edge is one position of dire need that must be addressed in free agency and the draft. With pick No. 144 acquired in the trade with Las Vegas, he selects Fadil Diggs an edge from Syracuse.
The 6'5", 261-pound Diggs logged 45 stops, with 14 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks for the Orangemen in 2024. thedraftnetwork.com has this to say about the edge rusher,
"Diggs is an intriguing blend of linebacker and pass rusher who flashes multiple ways to win from the edge. However, his run defense technique is a work in progress. Learning to use his arms more effectively, disengaging from blocks in the run game, and adding a few tools to his pass rush tool bag will be essential for his development."
Round 5, Pick No. 145: Jonah Monheim, C, USC
With David Andrews entering the twilight of his career and the Pats having no one to plug in when he was injured in 2024, it's essential to add a center. They use their own pick in the fifth round, No. 145, and get a solid one in USC's Jonah Monheim. The 6'4", 307-pound Monheim is a good size for the position and will be an immediate upgrade as Andrews' backup in 2025.
Here's some of what bleacher.report.com says about the USC pivot,
"Monheim is a loose, fluid run blocker with good quickness out of his stance, pad level and tight hand placement. This allows him to hook the shade on zone, get inside/underneath his target on double-teams and close space quickly on back blocks...
"In pass protection Monheim's movement skills allow him to shift his weight laterally and mirror speed moves and sub-package rushers with the processing skills to pass and pick up basic line games and stunts. He has a solid anchor due to his leverage skills and mobility but a lack of mass and girth leave him susceptible to power clubs and push-pull techniques from bigger rushers."
Round 6, Pick No. 168: Connor Colby, G, Iowa
With the 168th pick in the fifth round, obtained in the trade with Arizona, the Patriots keep on stacking their listless offensive line with 6'6", 310-pound guard Connor Colby from Iowa. The Pat's guard situation is in shambles. Absent Mike Onwenu, if he's still around, there isn't much there at all.
Here's some of what nfldraftbuzz.com says about the Hawkeyes' guard,
"Connor Colby's lateral agility and proficiency in zone blocking schemes position him well for NFL offenses prioritizing movement and coordination. His experience across multiple offensive line positions adds valuable versatility, though his effectiveness may be limited in power-based rushing attacks. In pass protection, Colby demonstrates potential but needs refinement in his technique against more explosive NFL-caliber defenders."
Round 7, Pick No. 219: Ja'Quinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas
The 2025 draft is deep at running back. The Patriots take advantage in the seventh round by selecting Ja'Quinden Jackson from Arkansas, with the 219th pick acquired from Tennessee in the Nick Polk trade.
Jackson is a 6'2"., 229-pound bruiser. In 2024, he gained 790 yards with a 5.3 yard average per carry and a whopping 15 TDs in only 10 games. His nose for the endzone for a TD-needy team will be much appreciated.
nfldraftbuzz.com notes some of the big back's abilities,
"Jackson's toolkit aligns well with the demands of a power-based NFL rushing attack. His bruising running style and ability to move the chains make him an intriguing option for teams seeking a complement to their feature back. While he may not possess elite breakaway speed, Jackson's combination of size, vision, and evolving skills as a runner could earn him opportunities in short-yardage and goal-line situations early in his career."
Round 7, Pick No. 222: Jalen Rivers, T, Miami
In the seventh round, with their own pick, No. 222, the Patriots select a third offensive tackle, Jalen Rivers, from Miami. The 6'5", 331-pound Hurricane has experience at both tackle and guard at Miami. Like Zabel, who was selected in the third round, his versatility will prove helpful to Mike Vrabel, who has to patch myriad holes all over the O-line.
bleacherreport.com cites his versatility and outstanding physical traits,
"Jalen Rivers is a three-year starter at left tackle and guard with seven starts at left tackle in 2024 inside Miami's pass-first (54-46 pass-run split), RPO-based, downhill run scheme. Rivers started each game at left tackle this past season but rotated at left guard through most games. Rivers has a massive, dense build with excellent length, huge hands, solid athletic ability and good play strength."
Round 7, Pick No. 240: Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
With their last pick in 2025, the Patriots use the seventh-round pick, No. 240, acquired from the LA Chargers for J.C. Jackson, and select another running back, Donovan Edwards from Michigan. The 6'0", 202-pound Edwards gained 589 yards with a 4.6-yard average and four TDs in 2024. He also caught 18 passes for 83 yards and another score last season.
The Pats' running back room is thin, with only Rhamondre Stevenson (who should be a trade candidate) and Antonio Gibson on board. By adding Jackson earlier and now Edwards, the Patriots are providing competition in this room, which needs an infusion of young talent.
Here's what profootballnetwork.com says in part about the 6'1", 212-pound Wolverine's running back,
"With a well-built frame, impressive acceleration skills, and quick feet when moving laterally, Edwards brings a lot to like from a physical perspective. He’s also a valuable pass-catching back with soft hands and creativity and agility that shines after the catch."
That's a seven-round, offense-heavy Patriots' mock draft that adds eight players to the offensive side of the ball. If even half perform, Vrabel will have improved his offense significantly. Regardless, he's landed the draft's best player, Travis Hunter, and that alone earns the draft an A grade.