Pats Pulpit
The Patriots grab some playmakers and offensive linemen in this new mock draft.
Another week has passed, and more free agents have been signed across the NFL. And while that might make the top of the draft a little bit more clear, there really is no telling what will happen within the first few selections.
Set to pick at No. 4 overall, the New England Patriots will keep a close eye on the first three picks currently held by the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. What they will do will dictate the Patriots’ approach — something we try our best to mimic in our latest seven-round mock draft.
As always, I am using the rankings from the NFL Mock Draft Database next to each of the players drafted. My previous mock drafts can be found here: Bye Week | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0
1-4: CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado | No. 3): The Giants signing Russel Wilson in free agency appears to be a signal that they believe the Browns are strongly considering a quarterback at No. 2. For our intents and purposes, that is exactly what they do in this mock. The Patriots then grab Travis Hunter, who they view as the best cornerback and the best receiver in this draft.
Pairing him with recently-signed Stefon Diggs is going to make for a fun duo, and their skills mesh very well together. Hunter is probably going to want to play both ways, and I would be willing to let him work with the corners at times, but in our projection he is going to play receiver and going to be a really good one.
Adding Diggs and Hunter within a month of each other would quickly transform the Patriots’ receiving corps into a quite formidable group.
TRADE: Patriots trade 2-38, 4-106, and a 2026 2nd-round pick to Los Angeles Chargers for 1-22: The Patriots still haven’t gotten a true left tackle, and so they send a significant package to L.A. to get their guy. Did they give up a little too much? Maybe, but if it lands them their left tackle of the future, it is worth it.
1-22: OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State | No. 25): Simmons suffered a knee injury in October against Oregon, but before that he was projected to perhaps be the first offensive tackle taken in this year’s draft. He combines great size, at 6-foot-5, 317 pounds, and appears to be perhaps the cleanest left tackle prospect in the draft this year.
Before his injury, he hadn’t given up a sack all year, and his agent claims that he will be ready for the start of the season. There are serious questions whether that is true or not, which is why he falls to 22 here even though he might be a top 10 pick if he were healthy.
Even if he isn’t ready to start the season, this is about more than just 2025: the Patriots need...
