The New England Patriots’ 2024 season wasn’t much to write home about. However, there were flashes of promise for a young team with a potential franchise quarterback at its helm. Drake Maye looked the part, and New England has high hopes for the passer.
Now, with head coach Mike Vrabel leading the charge, building out weapons around him is a priority for the Patriots. They did exactly that in the free agency but largely focused on the defensive end and are now predicted to address the offense in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Last year, the Patriots finished 26th on PFSN’s Offense+ metric. Some of that was due to starting a rookie quarterback, but Maye’s weapons were far from ideal. As a result, PFSN’s Bentley Weissman predicts in his latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft that New England will continue to upgrade its offensive weapons.
4) Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Travis Hunter is one of the best overall players in this year’s draft class, and while he is a two-way player and has expressed the desire to continue to be so as a pro, Weissman expects him to suit up as a receiver in New England.
Weissman wrote, “The New England Patriots can take many different approaches here. They will ultimately take the best player, Travis Hunter, who can excel as a receiver or a corner. … They signed Stefon Diggs, and I think Diggs is the perfect veteran receiver who can teach Hunter the nuances of playing the position at a high level in the NFL.”
Hunter totaled 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns last season while adding 32 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 pass breakups as a cornerback. He would be a great addition to either the offense or defense, but at the moment, the Patriots would prefer him to catch Maye’s passes.
38) Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
The Patriots had the third-worst offensive line in the league in 2024, per PFSN’s OL+ metric, and are in dire need of help at the position. Weissman predicts they will select Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, who should be able to start right away at the NFL level, which is exactly what the Patriots need.
“As mentioned with the Hunter selection, the Patriots must prioritize building around Maye this offseason. Donovan Jackson had a stellar year with the Buckeyes, showing he could play either guard or tackle,” Weissman wrote.
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Armed with the explosiveness, power, and football IQ needed to thrive in the Big Ten, Jackson is one of the best offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His physical attributes showcase a high ceiling, and he generates serious movement at the point of attack
69) Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue
Continuing the offensive line upgrades, the Patriots are selecting Marcus Mbow in the third round of the NFL Draft. Mbow is arguably the most interesting offensive lineman in this class due to his versatility, and he should be able to start right away for the Patriots.
“Marcus Mbow is a versatile lineman who has played guard and tackle throughout college. He is a bit undersized and may be best inside at guard. He is a good overall athlete with quickness and lateral agility.”
Mbow isn’t as physically dominant as Graham Barton was a season ago, but he’s an even smoother athlete with the same amount of bad intentions Barton consistently showed as a blocker. Mbow plays with excellent violence, particularly for his size, while also looking to play through the whistle and finish blockers to the turf.
77) Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
New England’s first signing of the free agency was former second-rounder Harold Landry III, and whether Oluwafemi Oladejo serves as his backup for the first year or not, the UCLA edge rusher’s draft stock has been rising rapidly and is believed to have a high upside.
“A former linebacker turned pass rusher, Oluwafemi Oladejo has drastically boosted his stock over the course of last season. He is a very good athlete and will likely be a much better pro player than he was in college.”
106) DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
New England has lacked a big-threat running back in recent years. They have Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson under contract for next season, but the former’s issues with fumbling led the Patriots to select DJ Giddens in this 2025 NFL mock draft.
While Giddens’ blocking and receiving talent is still raw, he brings a dynamic rushing edge with him. Adding Giddens, who posted 1,200- and 1,300-yard seasons in the last two years at Kansas State, would give the running back room more depth and stability, enough to be a Super Bowl contender if Maye can hold his end.
144) Jonah Monheim, IOL, USC
Jonah Monheim is widely believed to be a sleeper pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He brings vast experience with him, having started 46 games for the USC Trojans, of which 18 are at right tackle, 12 at left tackle, 12 at center, and four as right guard. Given the Patriots’ offensive live struggles, Monheim provides much-needed depth in New England.
217) Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
Another offensive line addition for the Patriots is expected by Weissman. Standing at 6’8″ and 339 pounds, Jalen Travis is a raw but highly gifted offensive tackle prospect and boasts the physical tools, football intelligence, and upside to succeed in the Patriots offensive system.
220) Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
Adding to the receiver corps late in the sixth round, Weissman predicts New England will select the Louisville Cardinals’ Ja’Corey Brooks. He is one of the most explosive offensive weapons in this year’s class and was named CSN first-team All-ACC last year, totaling five 100-yard receiving games this past season. The 6’2″, 184-pound wideout from Bradenton, Fla., became the first Louisville wide receiver since 2022 to record 1,000 yards.
238) Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
New England closed out the draft with an aggressive cornerback in Minnesota’s Justin Walley. He ran an impressive 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine after making 42 tackles and two interceptions in the 2024 season.