Patriots Make Shocking First-Round Selection in ESPN Mock Draft

The New England Patriots handed over all control of the organization to Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf this offseason. The 2024 season is the first campaign of the rebuild over in Foxborough.

The Patriots know they aren't playoff contenders, even though they secured two wins over the past month. They are still 3-8 as we enter Week 12. Many Patriot fans and other fans around the NFL have shifted their attention to the NFL Draft. The 2025 season has the attention of certain fanbases and draft chatter has begun.

ESPN's Matt Miller released a first-round mock draft and his selection for New England is a bit surprising.

Patriots News: New England Adds to Their Secondary in Mock Draft

Miller mocked New England adding Michigan cornerback Will Johnson with the sixth overall pick.

"Left tackle is an important need for the Patriots, but the offensive tackle class isn't strong beyond Kelvin Banks Jr. Instead of reaching, the Patriots could fill another need at corner with Johnson, my top-rated prospect in the class. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Johnson fits the mold of Pat Surtain II, showing excellent ball skills and the physicality to hang with NFL wide receivers. He has been limited by injuries this season but has two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Pairing Johnson with 2023 first-rounder Christian Gonzalez would give the Patriots a legitimate spot of strength on defense, and having two top corners on rookie contracts would give New England flexibility to build around them."

- Matt Miller

The logic behind the pick makes sense when Miller breaks it down. Johnson is the best cornerback prospect in the class and will be an immediate contributor at the NFL level. The Michigan product plays sticky coverage and will make plays on the football. Pairing him with Christian Gonzalez would form one of the best, young cornerback duos in the NFL.

Although that sounds good, the offensive line and WR are bigger needs for the Pats. In this mock, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan was still available. That is the player New England should target in this scenario.

McMillan is a terrific YAC playmaker with an outstanding catch radius. Thus far into his collegiate career at the University of Arizona, he has 198 receptions for 3,240 yards and 25 touchdowns. He would give Drake Maye an electric weapon and help improve this passing attack.

They wouldn't reaching for an OT but instead adding a must needed offensive weapon.

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