The New England Patriots hold the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They’ll enter the Draft with nine total selections, four of which are in the Top 100 within the first three rounds.
With the framework of the offseason, head coach Mike Vrabel is focusing on the offense in the Draft to address some immediate needs, specifically an offensive tackle and a wide receiver to pair with franchise quarterback Drake Maye.
But while that makes a lot of sense, the reports around Maye's involvement in the pick do not.
The Background
The Patriots added two veteran wide receivers in free agency this offseason in Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. Both are expected to have roles in 2025, but they’re both also 31 years old and on the backend of their careers.
That said, the need for an offensive tackle to solidify the offensive line is a much greater need at this point in time than a wide receiver. It’s very likely that New England will use the No. 4 pick to draft an offensive tackle to protect Maye.
The offensive tackle that has spent a lot of time with Vrabel and the Patriots is Will Campbell. He came on a Top-30 Visit, spent time with Vrabel one on one, and impressed everybody with his football knowledge.
NFL Insider Albert Breer joined 98.5 The Sports Hub last week, saying that he has heard that Vrabel is in love with Campbell, even saying that he would ask him to move in with him after drafting him No. 4 overall.
The need for an offensive tackle is obvious, and the signs are pointing to them drafting one at No.4, but there hasn’t been any reporting of it with 100% certainty from anyone in the media or source close to Vrabel and the Patriots.
The Ridiculous Rumor
That said, NFL Draft expert Todd McShay said with confidence that the Patriots are drafting Campbell fourth overall and he even said in his latest mock draft that Maye already knows the pick. This is what McShay said on Campbell and the Patriots in his write up in his mock draft:
“Campbell might not be this high on many other teams’ boards, but New England’s ranking is all that matters. New head coach Mike Vrabel fell in love with Campbell after meeting him multiple times during the draft process. Campbell’s recall and football intelligence sold Vrabel on making him the leader of the Patriots’ OL room. There’s even a report that Drake Maye knows Campbell is the pick.”
I trust McShay as a Draft expert and analyst, but not as an “insider” when it comes to the Patriots. I don’t believe there is a “report” that Maye already knows the selection is going to be Campbell fourth overall. To say it in the way McShay did is simply just false.
When the Patriots are on the clock tonight, I expect them to draft Campbell fourth overall. I’ve thought this for a while now because of the way Vrabel and the Pats navigated the offseason of focusing on the defense in free agency and more on the offense in the Draft.
The Patriots will be on the clock at No. 4 tonight, it’s going to be an important pick for the future of this franchise moving forward.