Final Patriots 2025 NFL Draft grades reflect the focus on roster needs and value finds in later rounds
New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel went into this draft knowing that he had to get quality players to help turn things around, while Eliot Wolf was looking to redeem himself after the struggles they had last year. And based off initial impressions of the pick, both were very successful. The Patriots filled key roster […]
New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel went into this draft knowing that he had to get quality players to help turn things around, while Eliot Wolf was looking to redeem himself after the struggles they had last year.
And based off initial impressions of the pick, both were very successful.
The Patriots filled key roster needs, while also getting steals and other talented depth pieces in later rounds.
So, here are A to Z Sports' draft grades for each of New England's draft picks this year, along with the final grade.
Round 1, No. 4 overall: LSU OT Will Campbell
Will Campbell was the safe and expected pick for the Patriots in the first round. New England's biggest hole was a at left tackle, needing to bring in help for Drake Maye on the offensive line. And with Campbell they are getting someone who is the perfect fit in Mike Vrabel's system and will work his hardest each and every time he steps foot on the field.
The biggest issue is his arm length which makes him an outlier at the tackle position and has some thinking he will inevitably be moved to guard. So, that risk leads to a lower grade, but overall, this was the correct choice given how the board fell.
Grade: B+
Round 2, No. 38: Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
With TreVeyon Henderson, it's clear the Patriots picked the best player on the board rather than addressing an immediate need. It was always expected that they would take a running back at some point, but taking one so high came as a surprise. However, they deemed Henderson worth it.
The Ohio State running back adds speed to the backfield, and also only had one fumble in college, which is something that should certainly stand out to New England after last year. He can also contribute in the passing game as a receiver and in pass protection.
This is a pick that has Josh McDaniels' name all over it.
Grade: B
Round 3, No. 69: Washington State WR Kyle Williams
While the Patriots have many wide receivers currently on the roster, they are still looking for one to emerge as their top threat. They brought in Stefon Diggs this offseason, but he is still recovering from a torn ACL and his status for the start of the season is unknown.
With Williams, the Patriots saw a speedy receiver who can separate from defenders and make big plays. It's one that should certainly make Drake Maye very happy.
Grade: B+
Round 3, No. 95: Georgia C Jared Wilson
Getting Jared Wilson so late in the third round can be considered a steal for the Patriots. Despite only having one season as a starting center at Georgia, he proved himself quickly and was one of the highest-graded centers in this year’s draft. Some even had him ranked as the best at the position.
The Patriots released David Andrews this offseason and signed veteran Garrett Bradbury. But, they need a long-term solution and it seems they think that could be Wilson. Getting the opportunity to learn from Bradbury will prime him to be ready when his name is called.
Grade: A
Round 4, No. 106: California S Craig Woodson
With Craig Woodson, the Patriots are getting a versatile safety, who can also contribute on special teams. However, the reason for the lower grade is because of the other needs New England has yet to address. Prior to the addition of Woodson, the Patriots had eight safeties on the roster. It's never a bad idea to bring in some depth, but doing so with one of their higher picks on Day 3 raises some questions.
Grade: C+
Round 4, No. 137: Florida State DT Joshua Farmer
The Patriots clearly wanted to make sure they landed Farmer, trading up to select him in the fourth round. He is someone who will fit right in with the other members of the defensive line, having already started forming a relationship with Milton Williams. He is also coming in with a chip on his shoulder after falling lower than he thought he would, and that combined with the talented coaching staff starting with Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams will make for a recipe for success.
Grade: A
Round 5, No. 146: LSU Edge Bradyn Swinson
This could end up being on the Patriots best picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. Swinson is a talented edge who wasn't getting as much attention due to the deep class. His on-field talent speaks for itself, having proved himself to be a solid pass rusher.
Grade: A+
Round 6, No. 182: Miami K Andres Borregales
The Patriots said they were going to bring in competition for John Parker Romo, and they did that in the sixth round. Andres Borregales was a four-year starter, going 18/19 on field goals last year and 62/62 on extra points. Among one of his made field goals was a 56-yarder.
Grade: C+
Round 7, No. 220: Missouri OT Marcus Bryant
While New England brought in Will Campbell with their first round pick, they needed to draft another, and they did just that in the seventh round.
Marcus Bryant spent four seasons at SMU before transferring to Missouri for a season where he started at left tackle. He recorded 55 career games, with 42 starts and ran a 4.97 40-yard dash.
Grade: B+
Round 7, No. 251: Vanderbilt LS Julian Ashby
The Patriots have long-time captain Joe Cardona on the roster, but they could be planning for the future and that's why they selected Julian Ashby.
Grade: B-
Round 7, No. 257 (Mr. Irrelevant): Memphis CB Kobee Minor
Kobee Minor will always have the title of Mr. Irrelevant in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Minor spent the first three years of his college career at Texas Tech, before transferring to Indiana in 2023 and then moving to Memphis in 2024. With Memphis, he appeared in 11 games and recorded 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, six passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Grade: B
Final Word
This is appears to be a very successful draft for the New England Patriots. They not only took the best players available when they were on the clock, but they also addressed numerous needs. Plus, they traded when necessary, gaining additional draft capital this year and even one pick for next year.
For some of the players they did acquire, they were expected to go higher, so they got steals in that case. It was a very well thought out and executed draft by Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, and the rest of the Patriots.
Final Grade: A