The Patriots continued addressing the offense by selecting three players on that side of the ball on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.
After selecting OT Will Campbell with the fourth-overall pick in the first round, New England continued to add talent to second-year QB Drake Maye's supporting cast by picking RB TreVeyon Henderson (No. 38), WR Kyle Williams (No. 69), and C/G Jared Wilson (No. 95).
The two skill players selected will bring much-needed explosiveness to the Patriots offense. Henderson is a big-play back who creates chunk gains with 4.43-second speed. The Ohio State running back excels in space, where he's a fluid, sudden mover as a runner and receiver. Plus, Henderson has shown promise as a pass protector, which will allow him to play on third downs as a receiving back that pairs well with Rhamondre Stevenson. From this perspective, Henderson compares favorably to Jets RB Breece Hall with shades of Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
As for Williams, the Washington State receiver is one of the draft's best pure separators, blending a 4.40-second 40-yard dash with sudden movements within his routes to create separation. The Pats third-rounder can also generate explosives as a catch-and-run threat, averaging 8.4 yards after the catch per reception. My pro comparison for Williams is Ravens WR Rashod Bateman, while others have made comparisons to Jayden Reed (Packers).
Lastly, Wilson is a young, athletic interior offensive line prospect who posted an elite 9.84 relative athletic score at the NFL Scouting Combine. Along with elite athleticism, the 21-year-old has a stout anchor in pass protection and leverage as a wider-framed blocker stands out. O-Line guru Brandon Thorn compared Wilson to former Browns C JC Tretter.
In all, the Patriots have found good value so far to hopefully upgrade the offense. Looking at my top-100 compiled before the draft, Henderson was rated 32nd, Williams was 57th, and Wilson was my 65th-rated player in this year's draft. Given where the Patriots selected them, that's solid value for New England. Plus, they added skill players who bring an explosive play element, which was what we all were clamoring for heading into the draft.
Now, the attention turns to day three, where EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said the Patriots will attempt to add some reinforcements to the defense after going all offense in the first two days. With that in mind, two positions the Patriots could target are edge rusher and safety, with some potential fits at both positions still available.
Here are the seven players on my top 50 big board for the Patriots that are still available heading into day three.
EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Pro Comparison: Mike Vrabel
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.
TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
Pro Comparison: Hunter Henry
Helm's game reminds me of the Patriots current starting tight end. He can win with short-area quickness on angular routes, physicality at the break point, finds soft spots over the middle, and has enough juice to run the seam. Helm isn't a difference-maker as a run blocker, but he's capable of doing his job. An ankle injury prevented Helm from running his best 40-yard dash, but he won't "wow" you with straight-line speed. Overall, Helm is a QB-friendly target with a good feel for the passing game.
EDGE Barryn Sorrell, Texas
Pro Comparison: Yaya Diaby
The Patriots want to play an aggressive brand of defense, making Sorrell a must-have on the big board. The Texas product is a freakish, power-oriented rusher who posted a 9.31 relative athletic score as a chiseled athlete. His game is all gas, no breaks with explosive punches into the chest of blockers that create immediate shock on contact. Sorrell uses that twitched-up power to create separation from blocks for wins with chops, rips, and stabs that soften the edge as a pass rusher. In the run game, he can max out his length to hold the point of attack and shed blocks while also showing good instincts to sniff out screens and sweeps to his side of the field. Sorrell projects as a great fit in a 4-3 scheme at defensive end and plays with the aggressiveness, effort, and finish that the Patriots are targeting under Mike Vrabel.
DT C.J. West, Indiana
Pro Comparison: Alim McNeil
West is the last "my guy" who made my top 50. He's a playmaking nose tackle who's at his best slanting, stunting, or penetrating the line of scrimmage. As a pass rusher, he's a violent hand fighter with active chops and stabs while testing interior blockers with good quickness. West posted a 9.15 RAS after thriving in an attacking front that let him loose. The Patriots could do the same.
DL Joshua Farmer, Florida State
Pro Comparison: Keeanu Benton
The Patriots brought the Florida State product in for a 30 visit. Farmer has good raw power and incredibly long arms (35 inches). He flashes good twitch to fire into and stun blockers while extending his long arms, while also occasionally winning with quickness into the gap. Farmer needs to be more consistent with his block shedding, anchor in the run game vs. double teams, and he's a bit stiff for dynamic pass-rushing. But he should develop into a rotational interior defender.
S Malachi Moore, Alabama
Pro Comparison: Duron Harmon
As a two-time team captain and ball magnet in centerfield, Moore could be the deep safety that completes the Patriots secondary. Moore has adequate range and feel to find the football patrolling the backend. He's been in a defense that asked him to rotate post-snap in exotic coverages and has experience playing the nickel or down in the box as well. Moore logged seven career interceptions and could be a third safety who allows Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers to play closer to the line of scrimmage on passing downs.
Other Notable Names
- S Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
- EDGE Bradyn Swinson, LSU
- CB Quincy Riley, Louisville
- DT Ty Robinson, Nebraska
- EDGE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia
- LB Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
- TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
- DT Cam Jackson, Florida
- S Jaylen Reed, Penn State
- S Dante Trader Jr. Maryland
- OT Logan Brown
- OT Jalen Travis, Iowa State
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
