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MORSE: Who the Patriots Will Draft? Some Thoughts Ahead of Tonight

Mark Morse

April 24, 2025 at 1:20 pm ET

MORSE: Who the Patriots Will Draft? Some Thoughts Ahead of Tonight

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Posted Under: 2025 Patriots Draft

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The Draft is such a crapshoot. Felger and Mazz on Sports Hub 98.5 throw a football with a marker in the tip, against a white board that has Lindy’s Draft Annual magazine open. Surprisingly they occasionally hit on a player the Patriots draft. They make three “selections” (throws) on different pages for each position. An example, the first toss was off the page, but the rule is closest name to the spot. It happened to be OT Josh Conerly. We are also running a draft contest that gives you 9 picks and we try and see who gets the most right. If you get two correct you are doing good.

I am using a combination of poster, BaconGrundleCandy’s Patriots type players Horizontal Draft Board and The Athletics Dane Brugler Top 300 Big Board. BGC posts in the Patriots Forum and does an extensive list of college players that would be coming out for the draft. In addition, he creates a Horizontal Draft Board that groups the players as potential stars to Day 1 starter all the way to “Take a Shot” type of players. I like to use his draft board of potential Patriots type players for my Final Mock Draft. This Final Mock Draft is what I think the Patriots will do tonight, not what I would do.

The Patriots and Eliot Wolf are going to be cautious and conservative. They cannot afford to come out of this draft with as bad a class as they had last year. Last year’s draft was based upon the scouting system implemented by Bill Belichick. The term “The hay is already in the barn” refers to the fact that the scouting documentation had already been completed using the Belichick system and not the new system being implemented by Eliot Wolf. This will be the 1^st draft under that new system.

Last season Wolf made what should have been a career ending blunder in trading with the LA Chargers and giving up a chance to take Ladd McConkey. In return they selected the two worst WRs in the league last year Ja’Lynn Polk (PFF Rating of 133 out of 133) and Javon Baker (1reception on 4 targets for 12 yards).

Not only did they make a bad trade, but the Front Office was unprepared for the run on Offensive Tackles that occurred in the 1^st and 2^nd rounds which left them reaching for a Tackle they liked but played Right Tackle in college. It has been reported that they tried unsuccessfully to trade up in the 1^st and 2^nd rounds to take a Tackle but couldn’t find a trade partner. They thought they had a trade with Buffalo, but they just used (and abused) them to get a better offer. They took Caeden Wallace a round too early and quickly found out that he couldn’t play Left Tackle. He couldn’t stay heathy enough to get any benefit out of his rookie season.

What will the Patriots Do

First, the Patriots will investigate the possibility of trading for disgruntled Las Vegas Left Tackle Kolton Miller. If they can swing that trade before or during the draft, it fills the biggest need on the team. What would the compensation be straight up for Miller? Perhaps their 4^th #106^th pick because the Patriots would need to have sign and trade deal done before the trade can be consummated. I’m estimating a three year $20M per year deal. I would go as far as trading their second 3^rd round pick #77 (Matthew Judon trade) for Miller. I would entertain a swap of picks with the Raiders and include the Miller trade as part of it. That would end up being #4 and #106 for #6, #40 and Miller. That proposal could be while the Patriots are on the clock. The Patriots love Jalon Walker, and if they have their Left Tackle solved that frees them up to take Walker. The Raiders would get Ashton Jeanty by jumping over Jacksonville.

Will the Patriots choose EDGE Abdul Carter if he is there at #4? If the Patriots do choose a player other than a Left Tackle, will they be able to trade back into the 1^st round? Leading up to the draft, teams inquire about possible trades if the right circumstances present themselves. One of the most likely teams that could trade their 1^st Round pick is Minnesota who only has 4 draft picks. The general consensus is that teams do not want to part with multiple picks in this draft. If amenable the Patriots might have a trade partner at #24 if they wanted to take a defensive player at 4 and then make the trade to get back into the 1^st round. This is a very risky move, and the Patriots just might get shut out of selecting a good Left Tackle. This scenario is unlikely because they can’t leave this draft without a Left Tackle. Kansas City is rumored to be investigating moving up in the draft to select a Tackle.

The rumor that Philadelphia is interested in acquiring the #4 pick if Abdul Carter is on the board has been debunked by numerous sources. That trade would include AJ Brown. To make that trade Philly would have to eat too much dead money.

This who I believe the Past will take.

1-4 Will Campbell OT LSU – He is the safest pick in the draft. If he doesn’t make it at Tackle he will be a very good Guard. He has a strong character; he is durable as evident of his 38 starts in the SEC. You want your Offensive lineman to have that nasty streak, and Campbell checks that box too. The Patriots had Campbell in for a 30 Visit.

2-Mason Taylor TE LSU – This pick fills both Best Player Available and an area of need. The Patriots met with Taylor at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine. I have had Taylor in nearly all of my Mock Drafts. He has that rare combination of size, speed, and catching ability. He posted 28 reps on the Bench Press at his Pro Day which would have been #2 at the TE position at the Combine. He is decent blocker but needs improvement there. I have raved about his gauntlet drill at the combine. It was near perfection, and he was running full speed. The PFF model does not like Taylor at this spot. I disagree with them because of position scarcity and the obvious Patriots need. Dane Brugler has Taylor ranked #44 on his Top 300 players Big Board, and I have seen him rated as high as #33.

3-69 Dylan Sampson RB Tennessee – This is what NFL Draft Scout wrote about Sampson: “Sampson seized control of the Volunteers’ backfield in 2024 and promptly demolished the program’s single-season record books. His historic junior campaign included Tennessee records for rushing yards (1,491), rushing touchdowns (22), total touchdowns (22), and consecutive games with a rushing score (11). Against SEC competition, Sampson was even more lethal, piling up 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns in conference play. The PFN software has Sampson as the 133^rd ranked player which is grossly wrong.

The academic standout and community service leader capped his collegiate career with SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and second-team All-America recognition.” He stands only 5’8” and weighs 208-pounds and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. Exceptional quickness and burst through the hole. Good forward lean to get every yard available. Surprisingly good pass blocker for his size using good technique and leverage. The Patriots had him in for 30 Visit.

3-77 Ozzy Trapilo OT Boston College – The Patriots sent Doug Marrone and Mikle Vrabel to the Boston College Pro Day. Marrone worked for BC Head Coach Bill O’Brien last season working with the Offensive line. Further, Trapilo has been working with Dante Scarnecchia this off season and reports from the Pro Day indicated that Trapilo has made significant progress under Scar’s tutelage. Trapilo is a large tackle at 6’8”, 326-pounds and was a 1^st Team All-ACC Tackle last season. Under Marrone and learning from 34-year-old Morgan Moses, who signed a 3-year contract in Free Agency. This pick just makes too much sense.

4-106 Vernon Broughton DT Texas – The 6’4” 305-pound DT runs an estimated 4.95 40-yard dash. He chose not to participate in any drills at the Combine. At his Pro Day, he didn’t run because of a Quad injury.

This is what NFL Draft Buzz said about Broughton:

Explosive first step off the snap allows him to penetrate gaps before offensive linemen can properly set, particularly devastating when shooting B-gaps in passing situations
Powerful hands pack a nasty punch in close quarters, consistently jolting blockers backward and creating immediate leverage advantages in one-on-one situations
Shows rare closing speed for a 305-pounder, routinely chasing down plays from the backside and bringing serious juice as a pursuit defender
Advanced pass rush repertoire featuring a devastating club-swim move that consistently creates separation, complemented by effective two-hand swipes
Outstanding leverage player who consistently plays with proper pad level, allowing him to anchor against double teams despite a somewhat lean frame
Displays exceptional lateral agility when working down the line, showing the ability to mirror and match zone blocking schemes without losing ground
High motor rusher who brings relentless energy on every snap, wearing down opponents and creating late-game impact plays through pure persistence
Scheme versatile frame with length to play as a 3-4 end or penetrating 3-tech, giving defensive coordinators multiple options for deployment

Broughton’s academic excellence matched his athletic development, earning Academic All-Big 12 honors. In the 2024 SEC Championship Game, Broughton totaled 6 tackles against Georgia. During the 2024 season, he played all 15 games, notching 39 tackles with 4.5 being for a loss, 4 sacks,2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.

5-144 Keandre Lambert-Smith WR Auburn – You can’t coach speed. You either have it or you don’t. Smith is 6’ 190-pound slot receiver. How fast is Lambert-Smith? How about 4.37 40-yard dash fast. That was the 7^th fastest at the Combine. But wait, he posted an absolutely ridiculous 3.98 (Official time) and as low as a reported 3.83 Short Shuttle at his Pro Day. Let’s put that into perspective. I have data for over 2800+ draft eligible college prospects and no one other than Lambert-Smith has a time under 4.0. A further example would be Julian Edelman who had an equally crazy 3.92. After playing 4 seasons at Penn State, he transferred to Auburn for a Grad year and was selected as 2^nd Team All-SEC with 50 catches for 981 yards (19.6 YPC) and 8 TDs. The Patriots had Lambert-Smith in for a 30 Visit.

5-171 Issac TeSlaa WR Arkansas – He is my favorite player in the draft. I have selected him in nearly all of the Mock Drafts I have done. TeSlaa is an under-the-radar player with great physical tools. He stands 6’4”, 214-pounds and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 1.51 10-yard split which was Tied for 4^th. These are excellent numbers for a player of his size. He was the #1 ranked WR tester at the Combine, with an Athletic score of 96 of a possible 100. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is 9.96 out of 10.0. The numbers were incredible with a 39.5” Vertical Jump (4T), 10’ 9” Broad Jump (6), 6.85 3-cone Drill, 4.05 Short Shuttle (1) and 17 reps on the bench Press (3T). He has very large 10” hands and 31^1/2” arms. I want my receivers to be under 4.5 and have a 3-cone drill under 7. TeSlaa also shined in the pass catching drills with a nice adjustment to a deep ball that was underthrown and to his inside where he had to turn around in stride to make the catch. He only had 28 catches for 546 yards and 3 TDs in 2024 but had an outstanding 19.5 YPC. In 2023 he had 32 catches for 341 yards and 2 TDs. Before transferring to Arkansas, TeSlaa followed his father footsteps and played 3 seasons at DII Hillsdale College where he was the Great Midwest American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. That season he caught 68 passes for 1325 yards and 13 TDs in 11 games. TeSlaa dropped only two passes in two years playing in the SEC. I want him on our team even if the Patriots have to use a higher pick to get him. I noticed in a video study of the other Arkansas wideout, Andrew Armstrong, that the Arkansas coaches used TeSlaa as a decoy to clear out routes for Armstrong. The QB ignored TeSlaa numerous times despite being wide open. TeSlaa was a high school QB which Josh McDaniels should like to use. His ceiling is incredibly high. Give him a year learning under Mack Hollins and I think we will really have a hell of a player. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda posted on X that the Patriots were interested in TeSlaa.

7-220 Jordan Hancock DB Ohio State – This is the one time that I am deviating slightly from the Horizontal Board. Hancock is ranked #220 exactly on Dane Brugler’s Big Board. Hancock anchored the Buckeye defense that finished first nationally in both scoring defense and total defense. His adaptability to line up at cornerback, nickel, and safety made him a chess piece that Coach Williams will love to use. The 6’, 195-pound DB ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the Combine. This is what NFL Draft Buzz says about Hancock:

Positional chameleon who can legitimately play corner, nickel, or safety – defensive coordinators will drool over the scheme versatility he brings to the table.
Smooth backpedal with oily hips – changes direction without gearing down and maintains balance through quick transitions when mirroring routes.
Closes cushion in a hurry when playing off coverage – patient at the line but explodes forward with serious click-and-close ability to disrupt underneath throws.
Shows a real nastiness when punching and rerouting receivers at the line – creates legitimate disruption with heavy hands in press technique.
Diagnostic skills shine brightest in zone coverage – processes route combinations quickly and keeps vision alternating between quarterback and receivers.
Disciplined in zone assignments and leverages his space effectively – understands when to pass off receivers and rarely gets caught peeking in the backfield.
Brings cornerback-level athletic traits to nickel and safety alignments – fluid enough to handle slot receivers while possessing size to match up with tight ends.
Championship pedigree with clutch gene – repeatedly made game-altering plays in the biggest moments, including critical third-down PBU in national title game.

Mike Vrabel is very connected with the Ohio State program having served as a coach and advisor there. This is the only player that I have the Patriots taking from Ohio State.

7-238 Xavier Truss OT Georgia – When picking this late in the draft, you are grasping straws. Most 7^th round selections won’t make it in the league. Julian Edelman and Troy Brown are two exceptions. At this point the teams have these players rated as UDFA’s and are taking players that they would like to have and not compete with other teams for their services as UDFA. The Warwick RI native is a massive 6’7”, 309-pound Tackle who started 42 games in the SEC for the Bulldogs, 27 of those in consecutive games. Although his overall performance at the Combine wasn’t good, he did manage to run a 5.24 which isn’t bad for player his size. Truss practiced for the East-West Shrine game but didn’t play in the game. This is what NFL Draft Buzz had to say about Truss:

Imposing frame with ideal length for the tackle position, creating a wide radius for pass protection and leverage in the run game.
Experienced in a pro-style offense, having faced elite SEC competition and contributing to a high-powered attack.
Demonstrates above-average run blocking ability, consistently creating movement at the point of attack and clearing lanes.
Shows good initial quickness off the snap, allowing him to establish positioning against both speed and power rushers.
Versatile lineman with experience at both tackle and guard, providing valuable flexibility for NFL offensive line rotations.
Exhibits a strong anchor in pass protection, rarely giving ground against bull rushes and maintaining a solid base.
Intelligent player who recognizes stunts and blitzes, communicating effectively with linemates to pick up defensive schemes.
Durable prospect who started 27 consecutive games over his final two seasons, proving reliability and toughness.

Truss received 2^nd team All-SEC honors in 2023. He is also The Patriots are drafting Truss as a developmental project. Truss attended the “Local Day” at Foxboro because he is from nearby Rhode Island.

I think the Patriots will get a QB and Kicker out of the UDFA pool. Here are some names of players I don’t think will get drafted and should be available as UDFA.

Ruben Hypolyte LB Maryland

Lan Larison RB UC Davis

Shaun Dolac LB Buffalo

Chazz Chambliss EDGE Georgia

Terrance Spence DB James Madison

Donavan Jackson OG/OT Ohio State is player to watch. Nick Cattles on his Locked On Patriots Podcast floated the idea of double dipping on the Offensive Line and taking Jackson with the Patriots 2^nd round selection #38. Jackson filled in for Josh Simmons when he went down with a knee injury. Jackson was instrumental in Ohio State’s Championship run. He was a 3x All-Big 10 1^st team selection and 1^st Team All American. In the four playoff wins, Jackson didn’t give up a sack. That was against three of the top Defenses in College Football. Can you imagine Campbell and Jackson playing side by side for the next 10 years? The Idea is very intriguing. Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly called him the Unsung Hero of the playoff run to the Championship. You also can’t discount the Mike Vrabel connection to Ohio State.

Double Dip at Running Back Vrabel mentioned in his Pre-Draft Press Conference that he wants speed in the backfield and the depth of the Running Nack position is very good this year. They could use a pass catcher in the James White mold. Antonio Gibson was badly misused last year by Alex Van Pelt and could fill that role. Rhamondre Stevenson led the league in fumbles last season and if he can’t fix that problem, he will find a spot on the bench. Turning the ball over won’t be tolerated without some type of accountability. Those days are over.

Patriots Attend Jalon Walker Private Workout

The Pats sent a large contingent to the Private Workout that Jalon Walker and Nykel Williams conducted on the Georgia campus. The report is that they took Walker out to lunch afterwards. Tony Pauline from Sportkeeda reported that he has heard from multiple sources that the Patriots may shock the draft by taking Walker. I don’t see that at #4 but could be a possibility if they trade back. Smokescreen?

Draft Broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network

Draft starts at 8 and the Pats pick at #4 should be around ½ hour to 45 minutes after the start. Teams get up to 15 minutes to make their pick.

Several online podcasts will be live during the draft including Nick Cattles on Everything Patriots podcast. Fantasy Pros and Joe Pisapia will analyze every pick as soon as its made.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.