Just one day separates the New England Patriots from the highly anticipated NFL Draft in Green Bay. Potential future stars of the Patriots will hear their names called on Thursday and into the weekend, and fans hope these newest additions can make an immediate impact in 2025.
There is more than enough to improve upon coming off a 4-13 season, and this will be the first NFL Draft under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Fans will keep a close eye on how Vrabel navigates this draft through selections and potential trades.
Starting with the No.4 selection and three other picks in the Top 100 (38, 69 and 77), Vrabel and Eliot Wolf will be busy from the get-go. They should look to improve the offensive line, running back and wide receiver positions with their nine selections.
As younger players come into the fold, that means some current Patriots' jobs could be in jeopardy when the draft concludes on Saturday. Mike Vrabel has established a new culture and leads a much needed fresh start after a disastrous 2024 season, and he will leave no stone unturned when it comes to evaluating players and improving positions.
These two Patriots will either become backups after Saturday, or have to fight extra hard in training camp to prove their worth on the 2025 Patriots.
1. Vederian Lowe, Left Tackle
Perhaps the most obvious Patriot who will see his role diminish after the draft is Vederian Lowe. The Patriots left tackle started 13 games last season, committing 13 penalties and allowing five sacks.
Diving deeper into the numbers, the 28-year-old was not much of a help across the Patriots offensive line that allowed the fifth-most sacks last season.
Lowe finished with a 54 overall PFF grade, ranking 101 out of 140 eligible offensive tackles. His run blocking grade was even worse at 45.8, ranking 131 out of the 140 eligible tackles. His pass-blocking was the strength at a 66.9 grade, placing 62nd out of 140 and above average for the position.
While the center and right tackle positions have been filled through free agency, the left tackle position is all but certain to be addressed in the draft, as early as the Patriots pick at 4.
New England has been projected to select LSU's left tackle, Will Campbell, at pick No.4. The former All-American faced the best defensive fronts in college football in the SEC over his three years as a Tiger, allowing only 5 sacks across 2,553 offensive snaps.
ESPN Patriots Insider Mike Reiss spoke on Sportscenter about Mike Vrabel's plan heading into the draft, as it seems the Patriots new leader will do all he can to surround Drake Maye with the tools to succeed, starting with drafting the best tackle in the class.
"They spent a lot of time with left tackles. Head coach Mike Vrabel saying he believes that position will be good for the Patriots in this draft at different levels""Mike Reiss
Reiss went on to talk about how Campbell's traits align with Vrabel's vision for the future in New England. Campbell was brought in for a Top-30 visit in late March and has been a name linked to the Patriots for a few months now.
"His nasty on-field demeanor and his team first attitude would likely appeal to Vrabel, as Vrabel builds his culture, here in New England."Mike Reiss on Will Campbell
Of coarse nothing is set until Thursday night, but one way or another, the Patriots will look to improve Vederian Lowe's position of left tackle. Whether it's the aforementioned Campbell or another tackle brought in on a Top 30 visit, Aireontae Ersery, the days as a starter on the Patriots offensive line are numbered for Lowe.
Drafting Campbell or another tackle would mean Drake Maye would go into 2025 with a highly-touted rookie blindside protector and a trusted veteran on the opposite side in Morgan Moses.