The Patriots will be on the clock shortly in Green Bay with the fourth overall 2025 draft pick in their pocket. It's a nice position to be in, especially should one of the top two players in the draft, Colorado's wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, or Penn State's edge, Abdul Carter, slip to pick No. 4. Patriot Nation can only hope.
Regardless, though the Patriots squandered the first overall pick due to a meaningless, last-game "win" against the Bills, they are still assured of landing a top pick at his position with that pick. Alternatively, they can trade down and garner more premium picks in the only draft that matters: 2025.
As the draft creeps inexorably closer, we'll conduct a new Patriots' mock draft. Its only goal is to position the Patriots to traumatize the AFC East and overtake the Bills for the title. If Vrabel can ace the draft, he can position his team to compete and make a run at Buffalo and the playoffs in 2025, the only season that matters.
Round 1, pick No. 4: Patriots select CB/WR Travis Hunter out of Colorado
The luck of the draw can play a big part in the draft when it comes to landing the best player of need early. In this case, the chips fall as Patriots Mike Vrabel hoped. Cam Ward, Mason Graham, and an even bigger surprise pick, Ashton Jeanty, go in the first three picks. It leaves Vrabel with a dream scenario at pick No. 4.
Both top players who'd fit the Pats like a glove, wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and edge, Abdul Carter, are on the board. There's little hesitation, though. Vrabel selects the best player in the draft and a two-positional star, Travis Hunter, from Colorado. He "slips" to pick No. 4 if you can think of that as a slip. It's a grand slam home run pick for Vrabel.
Hunter caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. Depending on Stefon Diggs ' health situation, he'll immediately slot into the No. 1 or 2 wide receiver role. When Diggs returns, he and Hunter will present two top targets for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. It's a massive improvement over the 2024 receiver situation. Vrabel's first draft is already a smashing success.
nfl.com comments on Hunter's wide receiving skills where he'll be primarily deployed by Vrabel,
"Exciting two-way player whose world-class athleticism and ball skills help him shine on both sides of the ball. Hunter is an instinctive, natural football player with a feel for making the biggest plays at the biggest times. He was the best player on his team by a long stretch. On offense, Hunter gets by on talent over technique but will need to smooth out the journey from press release to catch with better route running. He has the burst to uncover over three levels with ball skills and catch focus that are reminiscent of DeVonta Smith in his Heisman Trophy-winning season..."
Round 2, pick No. 50: Patriots select LT Aireontae Ersery out of Minnesota
Seizing a great opportunity, Vrabel then trades his second-round pick No. 38 to Atlanta for their second-round pick, No. 46, and a fourth-rounder No. 118. He then wheels those picks to Seattle for their picks No. 50 in the second round and 82 in the third. It's a maximization of value by the new top man. He read the tea leaves right and got his intended target all along.
He selects intimidating offensive left tackle Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota. The 6'6", 336-pound Ersery will slot in immediately at left tackle from Day One. He fills the team's biggest hole on the offensive line, and finally, the Patriots have their left tackle of the future.
bleacherreport.com comments on Ersery's pass protection skills,
"In pass protection Ersery has good footwork in his sets to work at a 45-degree angle, get vertical and expand his set points against upfield, high-side rushes and power step with an effective 'catch' hand to close the door on inside counters. Ersery quickly sorts basic line games and stunts with proper spacing and timing. He also flashes the snatch-trap technique to defeat the long-arm and circle punch technique to work around swipes/chops to the outside."
Round 3, pick No. 69: Patriots select OT Ozzie Trapilo out of Boston College
Mike Vrabel is keenly aware that his tackle situation is one of the worst in the NFL. He patched the right side with 34-year-old veteran free agent Morgan Moses. He's added Ersery to play the left. Yet, here, he adds another tackle, a dominating swing tackle who has played on the right in Ozzie Trapilo. Vrabel was at BC's Pro Day and liked what he saw.
The 6'8", 315-pound Trapilo will be ticketed to step in on the right side when veteran Moses moves on in a year or two. Meanwhile, he provides quality depth, primarily at right tackle but maybe even on the left side if the need arises when injuries take their toll. He's a major insurance policy.
Here's what nfldraftbuzz.com says about the huge Eagles' tackle's pass-protection ability,
"Trapilo's calling card is his ability to stone-wall rushers in pass protection. He thrives in traditional drop-back passing schemes where his natural anchor and refined kick-slide can shine. The technical foundation is there for immediate contribution as a swing tackle with clear runway to push for starting snaps at right tackle by mid-season."
Round 3, pick No. 77: Patriots select WR Jack Bech from TCU
Having already landed the best wide receiver (and cornerback!) in the draft, Vrabel goes back to the wide receiver well and selects a receiver with a different profile. With pick No. 77 acquired from Atlanta in the Matt Judon trade, he selects Jack Bech from TCU. He's more of a possession receiver, but he'll likely contend for the No. 3 wideout position immediately.
Bech caught 62 passes for 1034 yards and nine TDs in 2024. He and free-agent signee Mack Hollins, a terrific third-down receiver and red-zone threat, will man that third receiver role. They'll complement the Patriots' top 2024 wideout, slot receiver Pop Douglas, nicely.
bleacherreport.com outlines the Horned Frogs' receiver's abilities,
"This season, Bech emerged as a highly effective pass catcher. As a route runner, he is an efficient and intentional mover to create separation. You will not see all of the fancy footwork at the line of scrimmage; he relies on sudden jab steps to move his defender and creates space to enter the vertical stretch phase of his route. Bech is quicker than fast and uses it to break free from his defender. He runs routes with little wasted movement at the top of his routes..."
Round 3, pick No. 82: Patriots select DT T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina
With the third-round pick No. 82 acquired in the Seattle trade, Vrabel goes to the defensive tackle position, a sneaky need for the team. He takes South Carolina's defensive tackle, T. J. Sanders. The 6'4', 297-pound Sanders had 50 total stops with seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and a pass defended for the Gamecocks last season.
nfl.com highlights his pass-rush abilities, that fit Vrabel's D-line to a T,
"Sanders is a powerful road block with heavy hands and a strong core. He rarely touches the ground. Despite a lack of knee bend, he usually gives better than he gets and blockers have a hard time keeping him sealed. He punches and locks out quickly with a twitchy shed to tackle a gap over. His rush features average first-step quickness, but sudden hand swipes and play-through power in his lower half open pathways to the pocket. Sanders' blend of power and pressure should put him on the board for both odd- and even-front defenses as a potential three-down solution."
Round 4, pick No. 106: Patriots select TE Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon
With their tight ends, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are both over 30, and the Patriots need a young developmental tight end. A favorite here is Oregon's big pass-catcher, Terrence Ferguson. The 6'5", 247-pound Ferguson will provide an immediate boost as a playmaker. He caught 43 passes for 591 yards and three TDs in 2024. He'll immediately step into the third tight end role.
nfl.com notes his pass-catching ability as a key attribute in their Overview on the player.
"Productive pass catcher with good size but an alarming lack of tenacity and fire when it’s time to run block. Ferguson saw adequate short-catch volume but was rarely asked to venture beyond the front yard as a route-runner..."
Round 5, pick No. 144: Patriots select OT Jalen Travis out of Iowa State
In the fifth round, Vrabel continues to reinforce his offensive tackle position. He's determined not to repeat the mistake of 2024. Here, he adds Iowa State's Jalen Travis, a swing tackle who's played on both sides of the offensive line in college.
The imposing Cyclone's tackle is 6'8" tall and 339 pounds, with long arms. He has the super length to be a prototypical left tackle, whom Vrabel can deploy at either right or left tackle if needed.
the draftnetwork.com cites his pass-protection skills,
"Travis possesses all the essential traits of an NFL-caliber tackle and then some. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 340 pounds, he combines rare length and mass, a combination that NFL teams covet. Despite his size, he moves with surprising fluidity, creating optimism about his ability to translate his game to the professional level.
"His movement skills are most evident in pass protection. Travis excels at setting quickly out of his stance and gaining ground when necessary. His footwork allows him to neutralize wide alignments and speed rushers..."
Round 5, pick No. 171: Patriots select C Jake Majors out of Texas
In the fifth round, with the pick acquired in the Joe Milton III trade with Dallas, Vrabel continues to stock his offensive line. This time, he lands Texas's center, Jake Majors. Vrabel brought in veteran free agent Garrett Bradbury to step in and start at center. Yet, he's a transitional guy, and the 6'3", 303-pound Majors may be the guy who eventually steps in and takes the job long-term.
Here's what nfldraftbuzz.com says about his pass blocking, an attribute that fits right in when you have Drake Maye at QB,
"Pull up the tape on Majors and it hits you right away – this kid passes the eye test in pass protection but leaves you wanting more as a run blocker. His ability to anchor against bull rushes, process blitzes, and mirror interior defenders screams Sunday-ready. Then you watch him try to create movement in short yardage and suddenly you're seeing a different player altogether.
"When I project Majors forward, I see a scheme-specific prospect who'll thrive with teams that emphasize pass protection over power running..."
Round 7, pick No. 220: Patriots select RB Kalel Mullings out of Michigan
It's later in the draft, but Vrabel finally gets to another position of sneaky need, his running backs. He uses his first pick in the seventh round to bring in depth. His timing is impeccable since it's a deep draft at the position. The first is Michigan's, 6'1 1/2", 226-pound big back, Kalel Mullings.
Mullings ran for 948 yards, a 5.1-yard-per-carry average, and 12 touchdowns for the Wolverines in 2024. Mullings adds another big back to the running back room who'll step in should the Pats decide to trade Rhamondre Stevenson or Antonio Gibson this offseason. Otherwise, he'll be a solid backup.
nfl.com outlines his running style,
"Mullings is a big back and inside runner who plays the game with a healthy level of disdain for the defense, using bend, balance and leg drive to move piles and break tackles. He runs with average vision and feel for the blocking scheme and lacks open-field elusiveness. He has good foot agility for his size and might have more up his sleeve in a more diverse rushing scheme. Mullings can handle some protection duties and should be an immediate option on special teams. He offers Day 3 value as a downhill back for teams looking to add size and toughness to their room."
Round 7, pick No. 238: Patriots select RB Trevor Etienne out of Georgia
With his last pick in 2025, Vrabel continues to refit the offense. This time, he adds another depth running back. It's Georgia's Trevor Etienne. The 5'9", 195-pound Etienne is a change-of-pace back with different skills from anyone else on the roster. In 2024, he gained 609 yards with a 5.5-yard-per-carry average and nine TDs in only 10 games. He also hauled in 32 passes for another 194 yards.
The33rdteam.com talks about his running style and pass-catching ability,
"Etienne is a smooth operator whose center of gravity as a runner is aided by being compact and low to the ground. He isn’t a “small” back by any means, but his cuts offer the right kind of darting ability to jitterbug through a crease and then parlay another missed tackle challenge on the second level...
"In the passing game, Etienne has had an incredible run converting his target opportunities. He dropped one pass this season — and it’s the only target that he didn’t catch in three seasons. He has good hands and has shown the ability to catch the ball from a number of angles, be that sitting overtop of the ball, running screens, or taking swing routes and late checkdowns horizontally into the flat..."
That's a 7-round mock draft that will traumatize other AFC East teams. Mike Vrabel has landed the best wide receiver/cornerback in the draft, another wideout, four offensive linemen, including three tackles, a tight end, two running backs, and a top defensive tackle. It's a dream offensive draft that will have Drake Maye smiling from ear to ear, and the Patriots are in playoff contention in 2025.
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