Round 4, Pick 137 - Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
Top remaining player: Tyrion Ingram Dawkins, Edge, Georgia
The Patriots traded picks 144 and 238 to move up seven spots to 137 and selected DT Joshua Farmer from Florida State.
After starting his college career as a reserve, Farmer became a full-time starter in 2023 and made the most of his opportunity. That year, he started 13 games for the Seminoles and had 32 tackles, 7 TFLs, 5 sacks, 2 PBUs, and a FF while making second-team All-ACC. He followed that up in 2024 with 32 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 4 sacks while starting all 12 games. Phil Perry from NBC Sports Boston described Farmer as “a bull in a China shop.”
If the Patriots were looking to beef up the edge of their defensive line, Tyrion Ingram Dawkins from Georgia was one of the best available. While he may have only played in 37 games (10 starts) for the Bulldogs, he was productive, totaling 37 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 4 sacks. Per Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, one of the first things that stood out about Tyrion was his versatility and ability to “set the edge working outside in, and win over the guard in the rushing game”. This versatility could have appealed to head coach Mike Vrabel’s defensive front.
After choosing not to draft Ty Robinson, the Pats still get high-upside, high-motor D-line depth.
Round 5, Pick 146 - Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU
Top remaining player: Jordan James, RB, Oregon
“You got a steal,” is what New England Patriots 5th round selection told the media after being drafted. And if his last season’s performance at LSU is any indication, the Pats got a diamond in the rough. As a teammate of first-round pick Will Campbell, Swinson earned second-team All-SEC honors after leading the Tigers with 13.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks. Mike D’Abate from SI summed it up best: “In short, Swanson is a playmaker.”
One of the best players available at this point in the draft was former Oregon running back Jordan James. While he may be undersized at 5’ 9 ½ “ and 205 lbs per NFL.com, James was second-team All Big-Ten Conference last year after leading the Ducks with 1,267 rushing yards on 233 carries. He also had 26 receptions for 209 receiving yards.
While James could have been an intriguing option in the running back room, the Patriots opted to address their defensive front with the selection of Swinson.