Patriots 7-Round Mock Draft: Drake Maye’s Dreams Come True as New England Adds 6’6″ OT and 28-TD WR

The New England Patriots have to consider their 2024 NFL season an overall net positive. While their coach was fired, and the team only mustered up four wins, all signs point to Drake Maye being their man behind center.

A solid rookie campaign earned him a Pro Bowl selection as an alternate, and now the focus has to be on adding the right pieces around him. The latest mock draft from PFSN breaks down which players make the most sense for New England to go after

4) Will Campbell, OT, LSU

It looks like the New England Patriots have their quarterback in Drake Maye. They could go in several directions with the No. 4 pick, but they would be wise to consider using an early pick on protection for their new franchise passer.

His short arms are cause for some discussion, but Will Campbell feels like the safest offensive line pick in this draft. He’s a premier athlete with a high football IQ, refined hand usage, and a powerful frame. Whether he’s a tackle or a guard, he should be an impact starter for quite some time.

Last season, they finished 30th on PFSN’s OL+ metric. Finding help there was a necessity, especially to ensure Maye could progress well in his second season in the league. As a result, Campbell might be the no-brainer selection.

38) Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

As the Patriots look to continue their rebuild and build around Maye, another wide receiver could be a smart investment with an early-round pick this year.

Jayden Higgins is a coordinated, big-bodied receiver with impressive ball skills who rarely drops passes. An offense that ranked as the seventh-worst in the league on PFSN’s Offense+ metric needs playmakers, especially after no wide receiver crossed the 650-yard mark.

Higgins, in his final year at Iowa State, was good for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns. He should immediately come in as the best playmaker on the squad and have a positive influence on the offense.

69) Marcus Mbow, OG, Purdue

Marcus Mbow has starting experience at both tackle and guard, and he could serve as an effective center as well. No matter where he plays, he’s a coordinated blocker with the athleticism and hand usage needed to hold his own in more zone-heavy run schemes at the next level.

Similar to the Campbell selection, the logic behind adding Mbow is the same. Protecting Maye has to be New England’s top priority, in the short and the long term, making the Purdue product a perfect player to have on the roster.

77) Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA

Though a tad raw as a processor and a bit undersized, Oluwafemi Oladejo is an explosive edge rusher with active hands who can stack and shed well against the run. He offers intriguing developmental potential with a long-term starting upside.

After three straight offensive selections, Mike Vrabel finally gets some names to tinker with in his area of expertise. Last year’s unit was the third-worst in the league per PFSN’s Defense+ metric. Vrabel should automatically stabilize some of the numbers, but he will need the right kind of help to make it a reality.

106) Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

Long considered one of the hidden gems of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots could continue to build on the year Rhamondre Stevenson had as the lead running back by adding Bhayshul Tuten out of Virginia Tech to the roster.

In his two healthy collegiate years where he got starting opportunities, Tuten had 1,363 and 1,159 yards with NC A&T and Virginia Tech, respectively. Add in his elite end-zone potential (38 touchdowns in his final three years) alongside some solid pass-catching abilities, and you have the perfect guy to draft alongside Maye.

144) Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas

Similar to Oladejo, Vernon Broughton should help on the defensive line for Vrabel to improve one of the worst units of the 2024 season. Not as raw as the UCLA product, Broughton can be immediately impactful to some extent.

However, he can also develop into a regular starter very quickly, thanks to incredible athleticism and a very high motor.

171) Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers

The secondary for the Patriots looks to be a lock. They added Carlton Davis III to a group that already had Christian Gonzalez. However, to build out their cornerback depth, Robert Longerbeam might be a smart name to consider.

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He should be immediately of help on special teams, he can also track to be a valuable contributor through some physical development, along with consistency.

220) Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State

A perfect 2024 campaign paves the way for a kicker who should be a franchise cornerstone for the New England Patriots. With incredible leg strength, combined with the ability to deliver in clutch situations, Ryan Fitzgerald should be an easy selection for the Patriots.

238) Brady Cook, QB, Missouri

A quarterback named Brady in New England? I mean, come on. After trading away Joe Milton III, they need some fresh blood in the quarterback room, and Brady Cook is a technically sound and refined passer who should suit their purpose well.