The NFL Draft in Green Bay is officially over, meaning the Patriots can now focus on developing their upcoming rookie class and ingratiating them to the roster.
While much is to be seen and determined on how successful this draft was for New England, there can still be speculation on what their potential and expectations should be going into the 2025 season. Here are the grades for each of those picks.
Grading Each 2025 Draft Pick for the Patriots
Round 1, No. 4 overall: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots are convinced they have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye and one of the most important aspects of ensuring his development, is making sure he has a clean pocket to throw the ball in, and that he isn’t running for his life on every passing play. Yes, Maye could use more passing weapons, but when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded with Cleveland for the number two pick, it became quite clear that the hopes that Travis Hunter, the top receiving prospect in the class were dead and gone.
While Campbell isn’t a generational first-round talent at his position, he should still be an instant contributor to an offensive line that has been arguably the largest weak link for the team in the past couple of seasons. Not to mention that the Pats had already signed Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury in the offseason. If the Pats hope for Drake Maye to overtake Josh Allen and the Bills in the AFC East, his protection will need to improve drastically and this pick is a step in the right direction.
Grade: A
Round 2, No. 38: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
The Patriots clearly wanted Henderson if they were to pick him this high in a draft class loaded with running backs. Henderson is one of the more explosive and speedy running backs on the board, giving the Pats another back with big play potential in their backfield. With Rhamondre Stevenson recently receiving his contract extension, it will be interesting to see how the Pats try to manage the amount of carries he and Henderson get in each game. That being said, there is no doubt Henderson should be ready to contribute immediately to this offense.
Grade: B+
Round 3, No. 69: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Williams was another good value pick for the Patriots in the third round. He had 70 receptions, 1,198 yards, and 14 touchdowns in his final season with Washington State and ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the combine. Due to his speed and ability to get off the line of scrimmage, Williams fills a hole that the Pats receiving core has missed for quite some time.
Grade: A
Round 3, No. 95: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia
The Patriots traded back twice, yet still came up with quality value and depth in Wilson. He had a limited opportunity to showcase his abilities, only starting one season with the Bulldogs, and was able to display great versatility also playing at left guard in certain spurts. The signing of Garrett Bradbury in the offseason may suggest the Patriots want to work on improving different aspects of Wilson’s game before making him the full-time starter, but there is no doubt Wilson should make for great depth for this line in the immediate future.
Grade: A
Round 4, No. 106: Craig Woodson, S, California
Safety wasn’t necessarily a need for the Patriots going into this draft, with players like Jabrill Peppers, Brenden Schooler, and Kyle Dugger already on the roster. While Woodson does have potential at the position due to his ability to read and jump on routes, this feels more like a pick simply to add depth. Though he could be a solid addition to special teams, Woodson will need development and experience at the pro level to reach his potential as a safety.
Grade: C
Round 4, No. 137: Josh Farmer, DT, Florida State
Farmer is another high-value pick for the Patriots, with multiple experts having him projected to be much higher than in the late fourth round. The Pats traded their no. 144 and 238 picks to Seattle, and arguably got one of the bigger late-round steals in the draft. Farmer provides a great interior presence on the defensive line, with the ability to stuff the run and get after the quarterback. Farmer should work his way into a starting role in year one.
Grade: A
Round 5, No 146. Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
Swinson fits the profile of a late third-round/early fourth-round with his speed and athleticism, which is why plenty were shocked when he fell into the fifth. Swinson hopefully can fix the biggest need for the Patriot’s defense, which finished dead last in 2024 in pass rush statistics. Swinson finished top five in pressure percentage in the FBS and performed well for his team. So why the slide? Insiders have speculated that Swinson displayed some “maturity issues” during the pre-draft process, which could potentially be a cause for concern, but if Swinson can develop as an edge rusher with time, experts and fans alike could be looking back at this pick with gratitude.
Grade: A-
Round 6, No 182: Andres Borregales, K, Miami
It isn’t often you see teams draft kickers, but for the Pats it was understandable. With the glaring struggles of Chad Ryland and Joey Slye in recent seasons, the desire for someone reliable to kick the ball between the uprights has been increasing. Borregales made 86 percent of his kicks during his college days with Miami so there is potential for him to succeed at the pro level if he can handle the pressure. The Pats just need to hope he can overcome the pressure and stigma of being the first kicker taken in the draft.
Grade: B
Round 7, No 220: Marcus Bryant, OT, Missouri
Bryant is the definition of a player with high-risk, high-reward potential. Thankfully for the Pats, that pick was made in the seventh round. He played on the opposite side of seventh overall pick Armand Membou which likely overshadowed the athletic potential that Bryant put on display. He’s still raw as a football player but has the explosiveness and size that defensive coaches salivate to get the chance to develop.
Grade: B+
Round 7, No 251: Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt
Long snapper expert Bill Belichick would love this pick, which is why some would be skeptical, along with the fact that this screams of an undrafted free agent signing most teams would make. Perhaps longtime vet Joe Cardona is seen by the team as someone nearing the end of his tenure, which is strange given the season he just had. In what is probably the most confusing selection by the Patriots this draft, only time will tell if drafting a long snapper while already having a competent one was truly worth it.
Grade: D
Round 7, No. 257: Kobee Minor, CB, Memphis
Minor was the last and least experienced player drafted by the Patriots. He didn’t get much playing time at all in his three-year tenure with Texas Tech, but proceeded to start 11 games after transferring to Memphis. He finished with 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, six passes defended and two forced fumbles. Mr. Irrelevant certainly could turn into something, but for now, he is a developmental prospect for the Patriots.
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