2025 NFL Draft: Tackle Edition

[SteveKiner]

Assuming we can get TWO picks in the first round (given how this season is going, I'd say that's a big yes), we should take two tackles. Here are my picks, both day one starters given what we have at the positions:

Left tackle. This kid could be elite:

Will Campbell Offensive Tackle LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 88.9 Rank: #1 Forty: 4.98 The tape shows a technically refined blocker who's ready to start from day one at tackle. His masterful work against SEC edge rushers - particularly in mat...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

Right tackle:

Wyatt Milum Offensive Tackle West Virginia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.8 Rank: #11 Forty: 5.27 Looking ahead to the NFL, Milum projects as a high-floor prospect who could contribute immediately at either tackle spot while offering legitimate guard fl...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

I love Will Campbell's game. I wanted the Pats to take Joe Alt this last draft even if they had pick 1. I understand why they took Maye, but I would have loved then getting Alt and Fisher as bookend tackles especially if they were able to trade down a spot or 2. I think Alt is a generational talent but I think Will Campbell has as much potential as anybody chosen in the last few years aside from Alt. I have not really followed Milum but I like your thinking of double dipping at OT. What say you, State?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I'd hope so and yes I think so. They have the most cash to spend. I don't care if they overpay they should spend it on the best possible WR, LT, & RT that will agree to come here. Not to mention a dozen other depth pieces.

Starting caliber LTs don't usually make it to FA. Agree with you on RT and WR. Especially now that Maye has shown promise they just need to get the ball rolling with some better pieces, and even if they're not perfect you can find starting caliber WR and RT in free agency, which is way better than what we're trotting out now. LT though is so scarce that you might end up paying damn near record setting money for someone who you might be longing to replace in short order. Insane inflation and scarcity at that spot, so not sure how viable it is for them to fill in free agency. They can spend a truck load of money and still not actually have a solution there. And obviously that's a risk at any spot, but that spot specifically is tough.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

Starting caliber LTs don't usually make it to FA. Agree with you on RT and WR. Especially now that Maye has shown promise they just need to get the ball rolling with some better pieces, and even if they're not perfect you can find starting caliber WR and RT in free agency, which is way better than what we're trotting out now. LT though is so scarce that you might end up paying damn near record setting money for someone who you might be longing to replace in short order. Insane inflation and scarcity at that spot, so not sure how viable it is for them to fill in free agency. They can spend a truck load of money and still not actually have a solution there. And obviously that's a risk at any spot, but that spot specifically is tough.

They have to draft tackles. DEs and DTs are plentiful.

 

[signbabybrady]

Starting caliber LTs don't usually make it to FA. Agree with you on RT and WR. Especially now that Maye has shown promise they just need to get the ball rolling with some better pieces, and even if they're not perfect you can find starting caliber WR and RT in free agency, which is way better than what we're trotting out now. LT though is so scarce that you might end up paying damn near record setting money for someone who you might be longing to replace in short order. Insane inflation and scarcity at that spot, so not sure how viable it is for them to fill in free agency. They can spend a truck load of money and still not actually have a solution there. And obviously that's a risk at any spot, but that spot specifically is tough.

It's the spot we're in.

 

[notex]

As it relates to the Draft... are any of these guys our "future" at LT? How many actually make it to FA.

1) Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
2) Spencer Brown, Buffalo Bills
3) Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos
4) Tyron Smith, New York Jets
5) Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
6) Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns
7) Cam Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
8) Morgan Moses, New York Jets
9) Dan Moore Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
10) Walker Little, Jacksonville Jaguars

From my perspective - draft the kid from LSU or Texas...

 

[Hugepatsfan]

People spent all offseason saying the defense was fine and we needed offense. Well look what happened with this past draft. After Maye, they took a bunch of offensive players and none of them are playing well while the defense looks devoid of talent. NFL rosters evolve quickly. If they have a LT ranked reasonably high then take one. It's beautiful when need matches BPA. But if you think someone is going to be a solid LT don't pass up someone you think will be an elite DE for it. You can draft a player at any spot - you don't actually address the need unless the guy plays well enough.

Team should really target someone like PIT's Dan Moore in free agency, IMO. Someone who has been a starting LT, albeit not a quality one. But someone who just sets the bar close enough to average that way you can go into the draft wanting to take a LT and prioritizing it, but not being married to it at all costs even if the board tells you to go a different direction.

 

[mgteich]

Starting caliber LTs don't usually make it to FA. Agree with you on RT and WR. Especially now that Maye has shown promise they just need to get the ball rolling with some better pieces, and even if they're not perfect you can find starting caliber WR and RT in free agency, which is way better than what we're trotting out now. LT though is so scarce that you might end up paying damn near record setting money for someone who you might be longing to replace in short order. Insane inflation and scarcity at that spot, so not sure how viable it is for them to fill in free agency. They can spend a truck load of money and still not actually have a solution there. And obviously that's a risk at any spot, but that spot specifically is tough.

The LT solution for 2025 is similar to the solution in 2024.

1) Sign a mediocre LT in free agency (probably overpaying)

2) Draft an LT plus another couple of OL's.
=========
The difference is that LT is now our overwhelmingly highest priority as QB was last year. We signed a mediocre free agent of $8M and drafted a QB as #3 and then again in the 6th.
============
With the OL as the #2 priority, we
extended Onwenu
signed Okorafor
signed Leverett
re-signed Jordan (actually elevated him and then re-signed him)
drafted Wallace
drafted Robinson
extended Andrews
claimed Jacobs
claimed Thomas
and made more transactions after Game One (notably adding the current 2 centers)
with more to come (Strange?)
=================
OL will be our overwhelming priority in 2025, with the possibility of newcomers starting at both tackle positions.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Banks plays with cement feet and gets no push in the run game.
Campbell has short arms but other than that, has been pretty good
Simmons of Ohio state. Best LT in this class. Feet are decent. Arms are decent. Push in the running game and pass blocking is decent

 

[KCSVEN]

Banks plays with cement feet and gets no push in the run game.
Campbell has short arms but other than that, has been pretty good
Simmons of Ohio state. Best LT in this class. Feet are decent. Arms are decent. Push in the running game and pass blocking is decent

I pretty much agree with that assessment, though a little harsh on Banks. The best line prospect graders I've seem all agree Cambell will be ok at Left Tackle but could be a dominant Guard.
As we've seen with Maye, Jacobs can get beat but Maye will not get sacked like Jacoby was. If you get a WR that can get open I'd rather have that than over drafting a Left Tackle in the top 3.

Let's not kid ourselves here, if Travis Hunter is available YOU TAKE TRAVIS HUNTER.
You don't pass up generational talent at areas of need to take a lesser talent at more an area of need.
You take Drake Maye because he's a rare QB prospect, you take Travis Hunter for the same reason. All Pro WR or ALL Pro CB or a combo of both. Definition of Play Maker. No brainer.

 

[palomar]

I've been watching Kelvin Banks, LT from UT closely this year. He is/was talked about as a top 3 pick. No thanks.

I agree. I watched a good part of the Texas/Georgia game Saturday night. Knowing how badly the Patriots need help at tackle, I watched Banks on a number of plays. I was extremely unimpressed given that he is mocked as a top 10 draft pick. I expected stud-level performance. I thought he looked slow and ineffective. He looked like a JAG. Another guy I watched in a game a few weeks ago was West Virginia's Wyatt Millum. He looked really good.

 

[Sciz]

Feels like arm length so going to have to be an important topic this offseason. Theyre likely starting tackles with 35? and 36 inch arms this weekend, with all three interior guys at least 34¼. It’s kind of absurd when even your center would have above average arm length compared to tackles. It’s clearly something that they’re prioritizing right now.

 

[Water Boy]

All Pro WR or ALL Pro CB or a combo of both. Definition of Play Maker. No brainer.

'Tweener.

 

[javajunky]

I'm tired of this fill holes talk, we are not a playoff team that has a few holes to fill. We are a bad team that lacks talent, collecting impact players at any position should be the only rule for free agency and the draft. In house jag development can patch our holes until we are a middling team. Example: Lowe

 

[KCSVEN]

'Tweener.

No chance, guy is going to be phenomenal.

 

[JohnJH]

Will Campbell LT LSU is considered a true Day 1 Starter at the LT position. Kelvin Banks Jr. LT is solid, but many Scouts have said that as an OG he'd be elite, but as an OT, he'd be decent to good). Although Kelvin Banks Jr. , depending on his mindset and work ethic, could end up being a Pro-Bowl Caliber LT. Even if the Patriots ended up with picking in the Top 3, they should absolutely take the best trade package that they can get to acquire more quality picks, while still being able to take Campbell. They have needs in all 3 Units on the team and more and preferably higher picks in each round (or the ability to move up to any given round), will help them address more needs. I just don't know if Wolf/Groh Jr. are up to the task of evaluating talent in any round. Maye was a "No Brainer".

 

[JohnJH]

With no QB worth the #1 pick, teams won't be willing to give as much to move up for a DE or WR.

That's probably true, but there's usually a QB that some Team falls in-love with, or perhaps a player at a Non-QB position that will make a move to acquire such a player. The Patriots will have options regardless.

 

[JohnJH]

Isn't Will Campbell thought of being more of a guard rather than a tackle?

Actually, it's Banks Jr. who is regarded as having the makings of a Pro-Bowl caliber OG, but decent to good as an OT. Time will tell.

 

[JohnJH]

As it relates to the Draft... are any of these guys our "future" at LT? How many actually make it to FA.

1) Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
2) Spencer Brown, Buffalo Bills
3) Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos
4) Tyron Smith, New York Jets
5) Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
6) Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns
7) Cam Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
8) Morgan Moses, New York Jets
9) Dan Moore Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
10) Walker Little, Jacksonville Jaguars

From my perspective - draft the kid from LSU or Texas...

Campbell would be my first LT choice (and we probably can trade back, acquire more picks, and still get him).

 

[Toofy]

I have a fleeting belief that Lowe will improve and get stronger and be a very strong LT candidate for patriots for years to come . RT might be the place where we have weakness unless Robinson. Develops into a decent guard and onwenu can man RT on above average basis.

 

[palomar]

That's probably true, but there's usually a QB that some Team falls in-love with, or perhaps a player at a Non-QB position that will make a move to acquire such a player. The Patriots will have options regardless.

Maybe. But unless they know the next team in line will grab their QB, would they be inclined to make the Patriots a great offer to get him? They know the Patriots aren't going to take him.