The Patriots have received lots of kudos for their 2025 draft. Many analysts loved the Pats' draft, and they are right on target. Mike Vrabel's first draft as the Patriots' top man was a masterpiece of drafting consensus top players at positions of need, the key to any NFL draft.
Vrabel started the festivities by shoring up his most glaring need, which was left tackle. Having not signed any in free agency, he quickly moved to fill that second-most-important position on the field by taking LSU's huge left tackle, Will Campbell, with the fourth overall pick in the draft. It was a pick very well spent.
ESPN's analyst, Mina Kimes' acknowledged that solid move, but also highlighted two other players with "big play potential" she feels, are also key to making this draft a top one for Vrabel and the Patriots. The two players are the Pats' second and third-round picks, running back TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State and wide receiver Kyle Williams from Washington State.
NFL analyst Mina Kimes cites two offensive draftees' "big-play potential"
RB TreVeyon Henderson
Kimes cited two offensive players drafted by Mike Vrabel, who she feels are excellent additions. The first is second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State. Henderson shared carries in 2024 with another outstanding back, Quinshon Judkins, yet still garnered impressive statistics.
The 5'10", 202-pound Henderson gained 1014 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2024. Another statistic Kimes pointed out was his 7.1 yards-per-carry average, which she pointed out was tops in the Power Five conferences. That stat speaks for itself. She cited Henderson as a "home run hitter, "something that's been lacking in the Patriots' backfield since Dion Lewis's (a good comp for Henderson) three seasons in New England.
Henderson's defining characteristic would have to be his ability to break through a seam and explode into the secondary for big yardage or a TD. He's a threat to take-it-to-the-house on any given play, something lacking on the Patriots for years. His explosiveness is also shared by a second draftee, Kimes singled out, wide receiver Kyle Williams.
WR Kyle Williams
Kyle Williams surely fits the bill of an explosive receiver, not seen in these parts since Randy Moss. Kimes points out that, as Henderson did in yards-per-carry, Williams also led the Power Five conferences in a category, as he "averaged the most yards after catch per reception".
You've accomplished something special when you lead the Power Five in any meaningful statistic. Kimes points out Williams' speed (he ran a 4.4 forty at the Combine) as a defining characteristic. The 5'11", 190-pound flash also exhibits an uncanny ability to plant his foot in the ground after a reception, change direction, and accelerate to top speed in an instant, an amazing ability the Patriots haven't had in forever.
Those are two additions cited by ESPN's Mina Kimes, who said the Patriots "Knocked this one (draft) out of the park". The Patriots will be counting on that explosiveness to electrify their offense. If they deliver on that promise, coupled with Drake Maye, who is now bolstered by a solid O-line and other offensive playmakers,