Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
LAST UPDATED: February 25, 2025
PICK: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Kiper's Analysis:
"This is a trade-back spot if something presents itself. Carter and Hunter are off the board, and one of the top two quarterbacks is still available. I'd bet the Patriots will be getting a few calls if the board falls this way, and I'm sure they'll be very interested given the holes on their roster. But if nothing materializes, I like Campbell checking a box for New England. The Pats were 31st in pass block win rate in 2024 (50.9%) and allowed the league's fifth-most sacks (52). They can't have that with second-year quarterback Drake Maye trying to take the next step in his development. Campbell has the sound technique to effectively seal off the blind side, but he could also boost this offensive line on the inside if he ultimately fits better at guard."
Click here for Mel Kiper's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: February 19, 2025
PICK: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Jeremiah's Analysis:
"There are higher-rated players available here on my board, but the Pats need to upgrade their offensive line in a big way."
Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Mike Dussault, Patriots.com
LAST UPDATED: February 19, 2025
PICK: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Dussault's Analysis:
Let's get crazy and project Hunter falling through the first three picks, which he probably won't but it's fun to pretend. How will he fit? Is he a corner or receiver or both? Who cares. He's a special athlete, the kind you only get to draft if you get lucky in the right year. If he falls to four the Pats should grab him and figure out the specifics later. My crazy idea is to play him on third downs on both sides of the ball and in "gotta-have-it" moments, limiting the physical pounding that adds up on first and second down. But even if he lands solely on one side of the ball, he'll be an impact player at an important position, something the Patriots desperately need more of.
EXPERT: Evan Lazar, Patriots.com
LAST UPDATED: February 19, 2025
PICK: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Lazar's Analysis:
"Over the last two seasons, the Patriots have had the worst pass-blocking win rate in the NFL. They need help on the offensive line, and Campbell is this drafts best lineman due to his athleticism, technical savvy, and core strength that saw him turn into a leader inside the LSU program."
EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston
LAST UPDATED: February 14, 2025
PICK: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
NOTE: Perry projects a trade with the Raiders to move down to the #6 overall pick and also gaining a 2nd rounder in the deal.
Perry's Analysis:
"In this scenario, the new Patriots regime puts its stamp on its first draft by taking a player who brings a familiar trait to the table for Mike Vrabel: versatility. Walker doesn't have the size that made Vrabel a moveable front-seven chess piece for Bill Belichick, but he has the ability to be a hybrid player in the new-look Patriots defense. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Walker won the Butkus Award as a 20-year-old this past season as an off-the-line 'backer who showed an innate talent for rushing off the edge when given the opportunity. He was wickedly disruptive against Texas, Tennessee and Clemson, showing his sideline-to-sideline athleticism and high-level football IQ. He's also thought to have outstanding football character."
Click here for Phil Perry's mock draft.
EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: February 13, 2025
PICK: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Edward's Analysis:
"New England still needs to address its offensive line issues, but those looked better with Drake Maye installed at quarterback. It should remain a priority but the Patriots are not going to have a better opportunity to add a playmaker like Travis Hunter to the offense."
Click here for Josh Edward's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Field Yates, ESPN
LAST UPDATED: February 12, 2025
PICK: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Yates's Analysis:
"There is a case for taking the best player available, and per my own board, that would be Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Not a bad fit. But offensive tackle is a massive need for the Patriots, and Campbell is my highest-graded player at the position in this class (No. 6 overall). He has excellent footwork to mirror opposing pass rushers screaming off the edge and the body control to absorb power and then reset his feet. New coach Mike Vrabel has stressed the importance of fixing the offensive line -- and any investment that supports second-year quarterback Drake Maye should take priority. New England was 31st in pass block win rate (50.9%) and gave up the league's fifth-most sacks (52) in 2024."
Click here for Field Yates' full mock draft.
EXPERT: Rob Rang, Fox Sports
LAST UPDATED: February 12, 2025
PICK: Mason Graham, DL Michigan
Rang's Analysis:
"New head coach Mike Vrabel is going to prioritize physicality and nastiness. That is Graham's game. Inserting the pro-ready Graham alongside blossoming star Keion White and the Patriots could have the makings of a dominant defensive line."
Click here for Rob Rang's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: February 12, 2025
PICK: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Trapasso's Analysis:
"While Will Campbell would be sensible as a building block -- pun intended -- for Drake Maye, the Patriots feel better about landing suitable offensive linemen later in the draft and can't pass on the supremely gifted Hunter here. They also need more dynamic playmakers on the roster."
Click here for Chris Trapasso's mock draft.
EXPERT: Vinny Iyer, The Sporting News
LAST UPDATED: February 10, 2025
PICK: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots can also think about offensive line and wide receiver to help Drake Maye in Year 2, but cornerback is also a key concern for Mike Vrabel and new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, fresh from the Lions, who worked with another big corner in Terrion Arnold last year. Johnson is arguably the best pure corner in this draft, offering little, if any, coverage drop-off from Hunter with his own shutdown potential."
Click here for Vinny Iyer's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
LAST UPDATED: February 10, 2025
PICK: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Wilson's Analysis:
"Campbell has been my OT2 throughout and while he's not as athletic as Kelvin Banks Jr., he's been incredibly consistent throughout his LSU career. He had his struggles with Jared Verse in '23 (who didn't), and the formidable South Carolina front four gave him trouble at times in the fall, but good luck finding a left tackle more reliable play in and play out than Campbell."
Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: February 10, 2025
PICK: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
Reuter's Analysis:
"The Patriots land a difference-maker with the No. 4 pick. Carter's speed and relentless nature immediately improve one of the league's worst pass rushes, while his experience as both a hand-down and off-ball defender gives new coach Mike Vrabel flexibility up front."
Click here for Chad Reuter's three-round mock draft.
EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: February 3, 2025
PICK: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Zierlein's Analysis:
"I'm not sure Campbell would be my pick here, but New England is in desperate need of help at offensive tackle. Campbell has plenty of nasty in his on-field demeanor, something Mike Vrabel will love."
Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Eric Edholm, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: January 30, 2025
PICK: Mason Graham, DL Michigan
Edholm's Analysis:
"Bigger holes elsewhere, perhaps, but I suspect the Patriots address many of those in free agency and come into the draft less burdened by need. Graham feels like a foundational piece for Mike Vrabel."
Click here for Eric Edholm's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
LAST UPDATED: January 30, 2025
PICK: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Brook's Analysis:
"New head coach Mike Vrabel's personal experience as a two-way player could help the Patriots maximize this Heisman Trophy winner's potential as a combo playmaker in the NFL."
Click here for Bucky Brook's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Danny Kelly, The Ringer
LAST UPDATED: January 29, 2025
PICK: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Kelly's Analysis:
"The Patriots benefit here from an early quarterback run, landing the best pound-for-pound football player in the draft. Hunter is a savvy competitor who plays corner with instincts and ball skills, and he pairs perfectly on the outside with burgeoning star Christian Gonzalez. Hunter can also play an impact role on offense (though perhaps in a part-time role), giving Drake Maye some much-needed playmaking power at receiver."
Click here for Danny Kelly's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic
LAST UPDATED: January 15, 2025
PICK: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Brugler's Analysis:
"How we view the Patriots' needs at the moment compared to three months from now could vary wildly, based on the cap space this organization has to address key positions in free agency. With his tracking skills and fluid catch radius, McMillan has a skill set similar to that of Tee Higgins (who shouldn't see a minute of free agency, if the Bengals are smart)."
Click here for Dane Brugler's full mock draft.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
