Loaded with the most cap space to utilize during free agency this year, the Patriots made big-time moves to dramatically improve the roster, specifically the defense. They managed to sign some of the most sought-after players available and fill the holes that created the most problems for the team during the 2024 season.
That made it easy to identify their biggest needs in the 2025 NFL Draft, and surprisingly, they followed that plan accordingly. From the beginning, the collaborative effort between head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager without the official title Eliot Wolf impressed, earning top grades from analysts around the league.
They addressed every weakness on the roster from the start of the draft to the end and made even more excellent moves with those they signed as undrafted free agents. Many have already been deemed day one starters, assuming they make the team, which is not something the Patriots have been able to say for far too long.
With so many stellar signings made, their vision for the 2025 season couldn't be more apparent. This puts several players on the current roster in the hot seat, some more than others.
5 players the Patriots put on notice with their 2025 Draft picks
WRs Ja'Lynn Polk and/or Javon Baker
Going into free agency, there was a long list of wide receivers the Patriots could hope to sign, many of whom either went elsewhere or re-signed with their current team. That forced them to wait and eventually sign Stefon Diggs, who immediately became the WR1 they have been lacking since Julian Edelman retired.
But just adding Diggs, who is coming off an ACL injury, would not be enough. Therefore, the position was expected to be near the top of the list in the NFL Draft. That is why Kyle Williams was taken in the third round, immediately putting players like Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk in the hot seat.
The pair of young receivers underachieved yet weren't given a proper chance to thrive during their rookie seasons last year. That could change with a new coaching staff in charge, especially with an experienced offensive coordinator back in Josh McDaniels.
However, that doesn't provide too much comfort for Baker and Polk, who need strong training camps and preseasons to earn their spots on the 2025 roster. This will only be more difficult now that Williams is joining the team.
LS Joe Cardona
One of the Patriots' more shocking decisions during the draft was selecting a long snapper in the seventh round. It wasn't necessarily a position of need, as they have long rostered Joe Cardona, but they managed to pick the best player of the class in Julian Ashby.
It immediately brings the two-time Super Bowl Champion to the forefront of players who might not make it to the 53-man roster this season. Cardona is 33 years old and has been with the team since 2015, and because of his consistent performance over the years, he is the highest-paid long snapper in the league.
That could also be why Vrabel and Co. might be looking to move on from him, but it seems more likely that drafting a rookie long snapper points to Cardona's uncertain future much more. He will now compete for the job this upcoming season for perhaps the first time in his career.
Kyle Dugger and the safety room
Because the secondary was seemingly dealt with during free agency with the signing of cornerback Carlton Davis, addressing the group was not predicted to be dealt with during the draft. So when it was announced that the Patriots had selected defensive back Craig Woodson in the fifth round, there was a bit of confusion surrounding the decision.
Woodson played predominantly at safety during his college career, meaning a player like Kyle Dugger will now be under the microscope during the rest of the offseason. He is the most likely to be on the chopping block given how poorly his 2024 season went, but that doesn't eliminate one of the younger players or even Jabrill Peppers from being in that position instead.
There are questions about Woodson's fit on the team because most analysts labeled him a reach for the Patriots, so there is a chance that he might not bring as much competition to the safety room as one might expect.
However, his addition proves the Patriots were looking for some improvement at the position on the roster, putting those already on the team in jeopardy before the start of next season.
C Garrett Bradbury
The offensive line was expected to be a priority this offseason, which the Patriots proved to be accurate with their free agent signings and draft picks. They created more issues for themselves, however, by shockingly releasing longtime starting center David Andrews, who left a significant void in a pivotal role on the offense.
It led them to eventually sign Garrett Bradbury, who spent six years with the Vikings as their starting center. But there was a reason he was not brought back for another season, and will inevitably compete for the role now that the team also drafted Jared Wilson, the best center of the 2025 class.
Bradbury's veteran experience could help solidify his spot on the roster over the rookie, yet it's far from certain, considering the Patriots chose to use a mid-round pick on a center. That seems to indicate they are far from comfortable with Bradbury as their starter.
RB Antonio Gibson
After seemingly abandoning their new draft philosophy in the first round by picking left tackle Will Campbell, the Patriots went with the best player available in round two and chose TreVeyon Henderson, one of the top running backs of the class.
It was an unexpected move since they currently roster Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson, but some of the issues with their performance during the 2024 season made it easy for Vrabel and Wolf to take an explosive and dynamic player like Henderson.
His arrival puts more pressure on Gibson to have a great offseason, and it would be fair to argue that Stevenson will also deal with the same future. Henderson's play style is projected to complement the veterans well, so making the team won't necessarily mean one needs to be cut. But if Gibson doesn't live up to his contract again or Stevenson continues to struggle with ball security, it likely won't take long for Henderson to take their spot.