Pats Pulpit
The Patriots are focused on getting better along the offensive and defensive lines in this draft.
While the matchup for Super Bowl LIX is set, the New England Patriots remain in full rebuild mode. They replaced their head coach, hired new coordinators, and will see significant roster turnover over the coming months in hopes of rightening the ship again.
One major part of that process will be the draft, where New England currently holds the fourth overall pick. How will Mike Vrabel and company use it, though? Let’s find out in the first seven-round mock draft of the offseason.
TRADE: Patriots trade 1-4 and 3-77 to Las Vegas Raiders for 1-6, 2-54, and a 2026 2nd: After both Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are taken in the top 3 in this scenario, the Patriots help the Raiders get their QB, while move moving back and picking up some extra draft capital this year and next year. They still get a player that they feel very good about.
1-6 DT Mason Graham (Michigan): The Patriots have a needs all over their roster, but defensive line might not seem like the biggest at first glance. However, I would argue that the biggest need is adding blue chip players any way possible. Graham has the potential to be one of those right away.
The Michigan product can get to the quarterback from the inside, but is also stout enough to be a solid run defender as well. As we have seen in these playoffs, running the ball and being able to stop the run are important, as is being able to attack the passer from different angles — two things Graham is capable of doing.
Additionally, if Christian Barmore and Keion White can come back healthy and continue to improve, the Patriots could be looking at their D-line become a real strength for their team — something it was not in 2024.
At the end of the day, the Patriots become a better defense and a better team overall by drafting Graham, whether it’s at a true position of need or not. That’s all that matters.
2-38 OT Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota): The Patriots are in desperate need of tackle help. The problem at the top of the draft, however, is that the size of some of the top prospects is a legitimate concern. Ersery, on the other hand, does not have that problem.
At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he’s a physically-imposing player with the length and athleticism to be a Day 1 starting tackle at the pro level. He also did a nice job of reading stunts at Minnesota, which is something the Patriots really struggled on last season. He does have some concerns about how tall he plays and also his overall athleticism — although I think it’s more than adequate — but that’s why he’s being taken at the top of the second round instead of the first.
With a huge need at tackle, Ersery...
