After weeks and months of rumors, pre-draft visits, and mock drafts, the 2025 NFL Draft is finally upon us.
New England Patriots fans have been waiting for this day, as their team holds the No. 4 overall pick. The Pats could get another instant impact player after taking Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick last year.
Heading into tonight’s first round, the consensus first three picks are Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter. Hunter and Carter are interchangeable, while Ward is a guaranteed lock to be the Tennessee Titans’ new franchise quarterback.
If that’s the case, the Patriots could take the best player available at four to help out Maye, or use their spot in the draft as potential trade leverage.
In his final mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates has the Patriots doing the former, taking former LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. Long-time NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper believes the top-4 is set with Campbell likely heading to Foxborough, Massachusetts.
"Everything I've heard tells me the top four picks are pretty set. It's really Jacksonville at No. 5 where things could get interesting."
Happy Draft Day
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 24, 2025
Here’s my final mock draft
Can’t wait to see what happens over the next 3 days 🏈https://t.co/R72MZl3KX5
Considering how bad the offensive line was last season, the Patriots should not think twice if the former LSU offensive tackle is on the board at No. 4.
Last season, Maye was sacked 34 times in 13 games (12 starts). Now granted, it wasn’t as bad as fellow rookie quarterback Caleb Williams went through in Chicago (68).
However, the tackle spots left much to be desired with Vederian Lowe, Caeden Wallace, and Demontrey Jacobs. The good news for Patriots fans is that the team addressed the right tackle spot in free agency, signing veteran Morgan Moses to a three-year, $24 million deal.
Therefore, if New England takes Campbell, he will solidify the left side of the Pats’ offensive line and replace Lowe. Last season, Lowe had a 66.9 pass blocking grade (62nd among 140 eligible tackles) and a horrible 45.8 run blocking grade.
The 26-year-old lineman also allowed five sacks and was penalized 13 times in 803 offensive snaps. After that performance from Lowe, Campbell would be considered an upgrade, and hopefully, will develop into a future Pro Bowler/All-Pro tackle.