Latest 2025 NFL mock draft will infuriate Patriots fans hoping for offensive help

The 2024 NFL season might be yet to start, and we haven't even seen how this year's rookie class will turn out, but is it ever too early to look ahead to next year? It's fair to say the answer would be a resounding yes for most fans, but for a guy like ESPN's Field Yates, it's never too early to do a mock draft.

The longtime fantasy and draft analyst released a way too early projection of what the 2025 Draft might look like, with the Patriots holding the first overall pick. That would mean we're in for a bumpier ride this upcoming season than anticipated, winning even fewer games than the current bettors believe.

While that might be disappointing, there's also the excitement of having the entire draft class to pick from, which would work wonders for a team in the Patriots' position, especially offensively. But that's where Yates decides to flip the script and has New England trade out of their coveted spot.

"As we know, quarterbacks are almost always gravitating toward the top of the board, as eight of the past 10 first overall picks have been signal-callers. The Patriots just used the No. 3 selection on Drake Maye in April, so chances are they'd be listening on trade offers if they landed the No. 1 pick next year. "

Because there are always quarterback-needy teams, it makes sense for the Patriots to entertain inquiries and ultimately trade back, even if it is met with resounding disapproval from fans and reporters. But given what the return could be, which Yates states would be multiple picks including the Giants' projected No. 6 overall, it looks like a good move.

The problem arises based on who Yates has the Patriots select with their pick, which isn't an offensive lineman like most are hoping for.

New 2025 NFL mock draft has the Patriots trading back, passing on offensive help

With the entire draft class available to choose from and their glaring weakness on the offensive line, it would make sense for the Patriots to take the best left tackle off the board early, even if they traded out of the No. 1 overall spot.

In this mock draft, Yates has them doing just that, trading with the Giants after denying them that luxury earlier this year. Instead of taking their next star offensive lineman, he has the Patriots select Will Johnson, a cornerback out of Michigan, to create a shutdown duo with Christian Gonzalez.

"6. New England Patriots (via projected trade with NYG): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*

I'd say New England is more likely to address offensive tackle than cornerback next spring, but I'm just not convinced enough on the class's second-best left tackle in my early tape study to go that direction and pass up Johnson.

o that end, LSU's Will Campbell could certainly enter the mix, but Johnson would provide a mix of need and value. Johnson has lockdown-corner potential in the pros. His size (6-2, 202 pounds), efficient movement skills and physicality scream NFL star, and he would tag-team with Christian Gonzalez to form a lethal duo. Johnson has seven interceptions over two seasons."

The idea of creating a lethal cornerback duo is worth salivating, especially after seeing how impressive Gonzalez looked as a rookie. But passing on the best left tackle available to make an even stronger secondary, which hasn't been an issue for the Patriots in years, seems far more questionable than desirable.

Bill Belichick didn't put the new regime in a good position with the offensive line after issues with Trent Brown led to him signing with the Bengals and trading away or not re-signing some of their best talent over the last several years. It's created a nearly impossible scenario for the Patriots to get out of for the 2024 season, which wasn't helped by their lack of urgency to address the issue with top talent this offseason.

Since that doesn't appear to be improving any time soon, the idea of Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf bypassing a prime opportunity to take their next starting tackle seems ludicrous, to put it lightly.

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