2025 NFL Draft Grades: New England Patriots

Best Pick: Third-round receiver Kyle Williams was a receiver who really impressed me in 2024. He has great separation and will fill a need on this roster.

Worst Pick: I didn't love third-round center Jared Wilson as much as most analysts. He's a solid player, but I am not sure he's what most have him rated. He went a little high for me.

The Skinny: Taking Will Campbell in the first gives them their blind-side left tackle for Drake Maye. I still think he's more of a guard, but time will tell. Getting running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second and Williams in the third will also help Maye. This draft was all about their second-year quarterback, and it should have been.

Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, wide receiver and defensive tackle

The Patriots were in a good spot at No. 4. If either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter fell to them, great. If not, they would have their pick of the offensive linemen in this class. That matters because quarterback Drake Maye was pressured on 37.3% of his dropbacks -- not ideal for a young passer. Amid personnel changes, the offensive line was 31st in pass block win rate at 50.9%. But Will Campbell instantly improves things here.

Everyone made a big deal about his 32⅝-inch arm length after the combine, and it's not ideal. But I still see the footwork, technique and pure power of an NFL left tackle. Campbell will immediately replace Vederian Lowe there. The Pats had selected just one offensive lineman in the top 10 in the common draft era (since 1967) before the Campbell pick; John Hannah also went fourth in 1973.

New England continued its revamp on Day 2, sticking with the offense. (It used seven of eight picks on offense last year, and the first four went that way this year.) Running back TreVeyon Henderson and receiver Kyle Williams will improve Maye's supporting cast. Henderson is in a perfect spot to maximize his skill set. He's a big-play artist because of his explosion and vision, but he won't be a 30-carry back every Sunday. Henderson is at his best when he's sharing the work, and the Pats will do that with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson still in the fold.

Williams, meanwhile, will be a good deep threat for Maye with his speed. The WR room is definitely better, between Williams and free agent signing Stefon Diggs. The Day 2 capper was Jared Wilson, my top-ranked center. He's behind Garrett Bradbury on the depth chart, but his quickness and even a little bit of interior versatility mean he should see the field. There are some good Day 3 picks in New England, too. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer has dealt with some injuries, but he can push the pocket. Bradyn Swinson had 8.5 sacks last season off the edge. And Andres Borregales is the No. 2 kicker in the class.

It has been a good offseason for New England. This draft class is solid. But the Pats also spent in free agency, signing Diggs, Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III and Morgan Moses. They could take a big step forward in 2025.

The Patriots put together one of my favorite draft classes, nabbing six of my top-100 ranked players. They kicked things off with LSU tackle Will Campbell, an easy-moving and savvy lineman with the upside to start for years. They added Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round, giving the team an explosive playmaker who excels in pass protection (which I'm sure Drake Maye will appreciate). Washington State receiver Kyle Williams is a nifty route runner who gets open early in his route, makes hay after the catch, and can stack defenders and get deep for the big play. He could be a starter early on in New England's wide receiver group. Georgia center Jared Wilson could develop into a long-term starter for the team, boasting elite athleticism and a solid frame. Florida State defensive linemen Joshua Farmer (who is a stout, powerful interior defender) and LSU edge Bradyn Swinson (who brings intriguing developmental traits as a pass rusher) could both end up as starters. All in all, a super solid haul that could help Mike Vrabel right the ship in New England.

General manager Eliot Wolf worked the 2025 NFL draft like he was at the grocery store, adding a total of 11 prospects to the cart and from just about every aisle. The selection of left tackle Will Campbell at No. 4 overall isn't the most exciting of draft day picks, but it was a good one, as he's a proven and polished blocker who fits in with the blue-collar mentality Mike Vrabel is seeking to rebuild in Foxborough, as well as the backside protector Drake Maye needs to take the next step.

In the middle rounds, the Patriots made similar moves with the splashiest pure center of this class in Jared Wilson, as well as run-stuffing DT Joshua Farmer and twitchy edge rusher Bradyn Swinson. In between, New England boosted its skill position talent, nabbing one of this year's most dependable all-around running backs in TreVeyon Henderson, as well as the cat-quick Kyle Williams, giving Maye legitimate playmakers. I'm not convinced that the Patriots added many true superstars this year, but this was the foundational class the franchise needed to re-establish the roster.

Here's why: I'm a big fan of a lot of players the Patriots ended up selecting. And where they ended up taking them all made sense, too. Will Campbell will get a chance at left tackle and will allow the Patriots to get their best five linemen on the field. His personality will also rejuvenate the locker room in New England. RB TreVeyon Henderson adds big-play ability to the offense and is a supreme pass protector, plus adds another future leader in the locker room. He should pair nicely with Rhamondre Stevenson. Jared Wilson could end up being the best center in this year's class. He is very athletic but a bit raw playing the position. Wilson could develop into a batterymate with Drake Maye and a needle-moving starter, even if he has to sit behind Garrett Bradbury at the beginning of his career (he might surpass Bradbury early). Day 3 selections Joshua Farmer and Bradyn Swinson are also intriguing players whom many expected to go higher. They add even more bodies up front for the Patriots to toy with. I'm particularly a fan of Swinson's competitive style.

Most interesting pick: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

The Patriots desperately needed speed and a player who can win on the outside. Hello, Kyle Williams! He is explosive, competitive and gives pressed cornerbacks fits with his agility and burst. This is an ideal running mate for Drake Maye. Williams fits nicely with what the Patriots have right now and will help open up their whole offense. Williams was in my final top 50, so I love where the Patriots got him, too.

A team that had to get a transfusion of offensive talent — regardless of circumstances, but especially to give QB Drake Maye a fighting chance in his second NFL season — wisely spent its first four picks on that side of the ball. First-round OT Will Campbell, second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson, third-round WR Kyle Williams and third-round C Jared Wilson will likely not only play significant snaps as rookies — even if they're not all necessarily starters — but could all have exceptional impacts. Henderson's could be the most noticeable given his ability to thrive on every down — though the large chunks he rips off as a runner and the protection he provides on passing downs should most benefit Maye.

The Patriots needed to find a plethora of starters with upside, and they did just that. Incoming coach Mike Vrabel got help on the offensive side with Campbell becoming quarterback Drake Maye's blindside protector, while Henderson will pair with Rhamondre Stevenson to form a physical, explosive backfield tandem. Maye also got more help on Day 2, with Williams likely getting significant snaps opposite Stefon Diggs, and Wilson fighting for a starting job as a rookie on the interior.

In my opinion, the Patriots had the best draft in the NFL. They get a blindside protector for Drake Maye, who in his first interview after getting drafted, promised to die protecting his quarterback. They could have traded the rest of their picks after that and still won the draft. Instead, they took Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson and Washington State wide receiver on Day Two - both great selections that will help their offense after building a great defense in free agency. I'll plant a flag on April 27th - the Patriots will be a playoff team.