The expectation of the Patriots going into the final day of the 2025 NFL Draft was that they would go after a dominant pass rusher to fill out their improving defense. Eliot Wolf revealed they would prioritize that side of the ball during the remaining rounds, as the offense was the clear focus over the first two days.
They fulfilled that early with their fourth-round pick, selecting safety Craig Woodson at No. 106. It was a widely criticized decision, regardless of how good he is projected to be, and was immediately considered a massive reach since Woodson was expected to be a sixth-round pick.
Besides that, the decision to pass on adding an EDGE before getting on the clock again at No. 144 is already starting to look regretful. Most of the most talented remaining players have already gone, including one who has received a legendary comparison to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
He could have been the next New England Patriot and immediately boost a defense that Vrabel hopes will be dramatically better than they were just one year ago. Instead, he will thrive with the Steelers, playing alongside T.J. Watt for the next four years.
Jack Sawyer was there for the taking and the Patriots chose to watch him go to their former AFC foe
Although the defensive line saw some improvement through free agency this year with the additions of Robert Spillane and Milton Williams, there are still some big question marks surrounding their pass rush, especially Keion White going into this third season.
EDGE was considered by most analysts a top need for the Patriots in this year's draft, and they have yet to select a player who will fill that need. So seeing them pass on adding Jack Sawyer, a player from Ohio State who has received many Vrabel comparisons over the last few months, is a bit mind-boggling.
Ohio State LB Jack Sawyer to the #Steelers. Vintage Pittsburgh Steeler — tough, hard nosed, and really freaking good at football. pic.twitter.com/QByYPmkTnN
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 26, 2025
Even Patriots.com writer Evan Lazar listed Vrabel as a comp for Sawyer on Saturday morning before the draft, making him an obvious pick for a team that could have benefited from his production.
"Although it might be viewed as a lazy comparison, Sawyer reminds me of Vrabel, a third-round pick in the 1997 draft. Sawyer was a relentless competitor and glue guy for the Buckeyes. He shined brightest in the biggest moments during Ohio State's title run and has the makings of a future captain.
On film, Sawyer is a powerful rusher with good instincts and some lateral quickness to slip blocks. He'll use an effective two-hand swipe move to win outside, can use his quickness over the interior, and is effective on stunt schemes. Sawyer fits the culture Vrabel is trying to build in New England."
Choosing not to take Sawyer with pick No. 106 or even to trade up to ensure he was their next draft pick could be a giant mistake coming out of this year's draft, even if the new regime has received mostly glowing reviews for their picks so far.
Maybe there will be a chance to get him in the future, similar to how things went with Vrabel starting his career in Pittsburgh. But it would have been nicer to have him in a Patriots uniform from the start instead.