Following a challenging 2024 NFL season, the New England Patriots aim for improvement in 2025 with newly appointed head coach Mike Vrabel, replacing Jerod Mayo. The team selected 11 players in the 2025 NFL Draft, including key positions like offensive tackle, running back, and wide receiver, to bolster their roster. Drake Maye, the former No. 3 overall pick, shows promise after earning Pro Bowl honors as a rookie, though he requires additional support to reach his potential. The Patriots focused on strengthening their offensive line and receiving corps to provide Maye with necessary protection and options. With these new acquisitions, the Patriots hope to emerge from the bottom of the AFC East standings and build a more competitive team for the future.

New England Patriots faced a tough 2024 season, finishing at the bottom of the AFC East standings, leading to the controversial replacement of head coach Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel.

The Patriots drafted 11 players in 2025, with their first-round pick being offensive tackle Will Campbell from LSU, aiming to improve their offensive line and protect quarterback Drake Maye.

Drake Maye, the former No. 3 overall pick, had a commendable rookie season with Pro Bowl recognition, suggesting potential for a breakout season, but he needs more skilled teammates to excel.

The team prioritized enhancing their offense by selecting running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Kyle Williams, addressing the lack of a standout wide receiver that Maye can rely on.

Defense also received attention with picks like EDGE player Bradyn Swinson, aligning with Vrabel's defense-first approach to improve the team's overall performance.

The Patriots' draft strategy reflects their commitment to rebuilding and becoming more competitive by focusing on key positions that have been their weaknesses in the past.

With the 2025 NFL Draft selections, New England aims to provide the necessary reinforcements to help Maye and the team progress beyond their recent struggles.

The Patriots endured a dour campaign in the 2024 NFL season. They might be better for it in 2025.

New England toiled through a loss-laden slate, falling to the cellar of the AFC East standings ... again. Jerod Mayo was summarily — and perhaps, controversially — dismissed, swept aside in favor of another former Patriots defender, Mike Vrabel.

A few months on, New England's future appears to beckon in the distance. Not because the Patriots are good right now — they're most certainly not — but they have a few pieces that look well-equipped to make an impact in 2025 beyond, spearheaded by former No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye.

Maye landed Pro Bowl honors after a solid rookie campaign, and although his numbers weren't mind-boggling, his intangibles suggest that a breakout could be on the cards before too long. He just needs a few reinforcements to help him get there. The 2025 NFL Draft could prove a boon in that regard, with a litany of players expected to make an impact right out of the gate.

The Sporting News tracked each of the Patriots' 2025 NFL Draft selections, from the first through the seventh round — where they selected this year's Mr. Irrelevant with the last pick.

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New England Patriots draft picks 2025

Who did the Patriots draft?

The Patriots selected 11 players in the 2025 NFL Draft:

• Round 1, Pick No. 4: OT Will Campbell, LSU
• Round 2, Pick No. 38: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
• Round 3, Pick No. 69: WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
• Round 3, Pick No. 95: C Jared Wilson, Georgia
• Round 4, Pick No. 106: S Craig Woodson, California
• Round 4, Pick No. 137: DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State
• Round 5, Pick No. 146: EDGE Bradyn Swinson, LSU
• Round 5, Pick No. 182: K Andres Borregales, Miami
• Round 7, Pick No. 220: OT Marcus Bryant, Missouri
• Round 7, Pick No. 251: LS Julian Ashby, Vanderbilt 
• Round 7, Pick No. 257: CB Kobee Minor, Memphis

Patriots NFL Draft needs

• Offensive line: With Maye poised to hold the reins of New England's offense for the next decade, the Patriots would do well to find sentries who can protect him in the pocket. Maye's 9.14% sack rate was the fifth-highest mark in the league, trailing only Deshaun Watson, Will Levis, Caleb Williams, and Jalen Hurts. If New England wants Maye to make a splash as a sophomore, it should invest in its offensive line.
• Wide receiver: Maye's maiden season proved all the more impressive because he was lacking anything resembling a No. 1 option at the X. Demario Davis was the Pats' leading wide receiver in 2024, corralling a paltry 621 yards. If you want to get the best out of a hurler, you have to surround them with pass-catching talent. New England should attempt to acquire some in this year's draft. 
• EDGE: Vrabel's return to Beantown should precipitate a defense-first mindset, and New England will certainly look to upgrade its pass rush at some point in the draft.

MORE NFL DRAFT:

• Ranking the top 10 quarterbacks, from Cam Ward to Tyler Shough
• Ranking the top 10 running backs, from Ashton Jeanty to Trevor Etienne
• Ranking the top 10 wide receivers, from Tetairoa McMillan to Isaiah Bond
• Ranking the top 10 tight ends, from Tyler Warren to Mitchell Evans
• Ranking the top 10 edge rushers, from Abdul Carter to JT Tuimoloau

Patriots mock draft 2025

Here's a look at how the Patriots' draft board could shake out, based on the seven-round mock draft from SN's Vinnie Iyer. 

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is on Thursday, April 24, from Green Bay, Wis.