Besides the start of the NFL season, this is the most wonderful time of the year for football fans. The combine gave fans an introduction to the upcoming draft prospects that could potentially be selected by their team.
The New England Patriots have the fourth overall pick, and they need to acquire help on both sides of the ball. Offensive line and edge rusher are two of the biggest needs for the Patriots, followed by wide receiver and cornerback.
Building around Drake Maye is the focal point this offseason, and the Patriots need to acquire talent to elevate Maye’s game and lay the foundation of the team for years to come.
Round 1 Pick 4: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots allowed the fifth most sacks (52) last season. Both Maye and Jacoby Brissett were running for their lives with the terrible offensive line play, and each quarterback took vicious hits last season.
Inserting Will Campbell at left tackle is one step in the right direction in fixing the problem. Campbell was a three-year starting left tackle for the LSU Tigers, allowing just two sacks in his last two seasons in the SEC, which is considered to be the best conference in college football.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com noted Campbell’s experience against NFL-caliber pass rushers, which the Patriots need in a young offensive lineman. At 6 ’6”, 319 pounds, he has the physical frame of playing tackle, but his 32 ⅝ inch arm length raises concerns if he should remain at tackle or move to guard.
Although Campbell’s arm length measurements fall short of an ideal tackle, the Patriots still view him as a tackle per Mark Daniels of MassLive.
"While LSU offensive linemen Will Campbell’s NFL position has been hotly debated, the Patriots see him as a tackle – arm measurements be damned."Mark Daniels, MassLive
The Patriots desperately need help at offensive line and I believe drafting Campbell is a step in the right direction. He’ll be able to slide in at starting left tackle right away and help protect Maye’s blind side
Round 2 Pick 38: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
The Patriots finished last in sacks (28) and 29th in pressure rate (17.6%) this past season. By trading Matthew Judon last summer, the Patriots weren’t able to consistently apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks.
Insert Landon Jackson, a 6’7”, 280-pound edge rusher out of Arkansas. Jackson finished his senior season with six and a half sacks, ten tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. His combine performance has made him a rising name in the draft, posting a 4.68 forty-yard dash and a 40 ½ inch vertical jump.
Draft expert Matt Miller of ESPN described the rise of Jackson as being because he’s “a power player on tape”, which the Patriots defensive line needs. Pairing him opposite of Keion White on the edge would be a great move for the Patriots, who need to generate more pressure on quarterbacks in 2025.
Round 3 Pick 69: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Outside of Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots don’t have a cornerback who excels in man-to-man coverage. While their secondary has depth, they don’t have a CB2 caliber player.
Drafting Azareye’h Thomas can add needed size and pass covering ability to the Patriots' defense. Thomas’s size at 6 '1 ½”, 197 pounds, and his 10' 2” broad jump are needed to become a good corner in the league.
Thomas finished his junior season with one interception, four pass deflections, and 53 total tackles. Lance Zierlein highlighted Thomas’s “long arms are formidable weapons of catch disruption”.
Thomas, who turns 21 in July, would be a good fit and can learn from the veterans in the secondary group. I believe the secondary needs size, and with Terrell Williams in at defensive coordinator, I believe he’ll want size in his corners compared to his time with Detroit.
Round 3 Pick 77: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Now that the defense has added some guys, it’s time to help Maye get some pass catchers. The wide receiver position always has depth in the draft and this year’s class is no different. I believe that drafting Jalen Royals in the third round would be a steal for the Patriots.
Besides Pop Douglas, the Patriots don’t have a receiver capable of being a playmaker and creating separation. During his time at Utah State, Royals did just that. In just seven games, Royals had 55 catches, 834 yards, and six touchdowns before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson’s scouting report of Royals perfectly describes what the Patriots need at wide receiver.
"Royals is a good and precise route runner with short-area quickness that puts pressure on cornerbacks. He generates separation with suddenness out of his breaks against man coverage."Dame Parson, Bleacher Report
Last year, the Patriots drafted Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Neither of them is known for creating separation. The Patriots need a receiver that creates separation, and I believe Royals is that guy. Drafting him gives Maye and Josh McDaniels another playmaker.
Round 4 Pick 105: Tate Ratledge, Guard, Georgia
The Patriots' offensive line was the laughingstock of the league last season, and they have an opportunity to change this in this year’s draft. David Andrews and Michael Owenu are the only locks to be starters in 2025, and I think the Patriots need to take advantage of the depth in this year’s draft class by bringing in competition to compete for starting spots.
Tate Ratledge was a three-year starter for Georgia at right guard, being named First-Team All-SEC twice and First-Team All-American. Ratledge was a part of Georgia’s back-to-back championship run and played a vital role on the offensive line.
Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report describes Ratledge as a “physical presence with a commanding anchor” and a “potential impact player” at guard. The Patriots right guard position is up for grabs as I think Michael Owenu will be the right tackle moving forward.
Ratledge’s 6’6”, 308-pound frame is great for a guard. I believe he’ll be a great addition to the Patriots, who urgently need a starting-caliber guard.
Round 5 Pick 145: Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson were both solid last year but nothing spectacular. Both Stevenson and Gibson can pass-catch and run, but neither is known for being a downhill back. During Mike Vrabel’s time with the Titans, he loved to run and pound the football, controlling the clock and dominating the time of possession.
Adding another running back in Kalel Mullings would be a great addition by the Patriots as it would give them another running back that they can plug in. The Patriots don’t have a third back and I believe all good teams have multiple running backs that they can use to their disposal.
Mullings was measured at 6’1 ½” and 226 pounds at the combine, which is great size for a running back. In his only season as starting running back for Michigan, he had 185 carries for 948 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Lance Zierlein describes Mullings as a big back with tackle breaking ability as Mullings had forced 38 missed tackles along with 657 yards after contact this past season. Although he wouldn’t be an immediate impact right away, I think Mullings could provide down-hill ability and be used as an insurance piece that they need.
Round 7 Pick 219: Hunter Wohler, Safety, Wisconsin
For the past few years, the safety position for the Patriots has played a huge role in their defense. Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers are important pieces to the defense and have played huge roles both in the box as run support and in coverage. However, both of them are getting older and Marte Mapu has yet to take significant time from them.
Drafting Hunter Wohler as an insurance piece is a must-need for the Patriots. Wohler was a two-year starting safety for Wisconsin and displayed his athletic ability at the combine, posting a 37-inch vertical, ten-foot broad jump, and a 4.57 forty-yard dash.
K.C. Martinez of Draft Buzz described Wohler as a productive player while performing well in zone coverage. Adding insurance and youth to the safety position is all you could ask for in the seventh round.
Round 7 Pick 222: Ty Robinson, Defensive Linemen, Nebraska
As Davon Godchaux seeks a trade, the Patriots need depth at the position. Drafting Ty Robinson would be a solid addition after he posted a 4.83 forty-yard dash at the combine.
Robinson had a breakout season last year, posting seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Robinson measured at 6’5”, weighing 288 pounds, which is solid depending on what scheme he plays in.
Draft Buzz emphasizes his power and versatility as a key piece in his game. Robinson would be a fine depth piece for the Patriots defensive line.
Round 7 Pick 240: Theo Wease Jr., Wide Receiver, Missouri
The more players McDaniels has in his offense, the better. I believe drafting Theo Wease Jr. would be a fine addition for the Patriots.
Wease finished last season with 60 catches for 884 yards and four touchdowns. Wease has some speed and size, which the Patriots could use, as he posted a 4.42 forty-yard dash and is measured at 6 ’2.
Wyatt Brooks of Draft Buzz emphasizes Wease’s “reliable hands” and “route-running savvy” as a reason for drafting him. Although he won’t make an immediate impact or be someone who plays in year one, I believe using a pick on wide receiver here is a low-risk, high-reward move.