Patriots' 2025 Mock Draft after finalized roster moves for this season

Patriots add to offense and defense in the 3rd round

In the third round, with their own pick, No. 67, the Patriots go in a different but necessary direction and take a running back. The choice is Trevor Etienne, now with Georgia. The Pats have seldom selected running backs of late. Their best recently was Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth round in 2021.

Stevenson worked out great, and hopefully, Etienne will, as well. At 5'9" and 205 pounds, in 2023, Etienne gained 753 yards with a 5.7-yard average and eight TDs at Florida. He also snagged 21 catches for another 172 yards and a TD.

Here's what thedraftnetwork.com says about the Bulldog back,

"Trevor Etienne is the younger brother of former first-round pick and Clemson RB Travis Etienne. Etienne transferred into the Georgia program after two years at Florida and was a productive running back, earning All-SEC freshman honors. Etienne profiles as a running back who can run in a zone or gap scheme, and has good short-area quickness, acceleration, and vision which allows him to create big plays from the running back position."

At pick No. 75, acquired from Tampa, the Pats return to the defensive side and select 6'4", 290-pound defensive tackle Walter Nolen from Mississippi. profootballnetwork.com has this to say about the Rebels' big defensive tackle,

"He’s a certified power plant with his elite explosiveness, mass, frame density, and length, and he can use that overwhelming power element to break the offensive front from multiple spots ... Beyond his power profile, Nolen’s raw strength, combined with his lateral explosiveness and unhinged motor in pursuit, makes him an intriguing playmaking presence in run defense as well — and his athleticism allows him to execute eye-catching recovery moves."

If that sounds similar to current Patriots pocket-crusher Christian Barmore, it's no accident. Add Nolen to Barmore when he returns, and Keion White and the Patriots' interior defensive line will be an offensive coordinator's nightmare.