Tonight’s the night.
After months of waiting, the Patriots will be on the clock Thursday night in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
At this point, it would be a surprise if the Patriots don’t select Will Campbell fourth overall, but they do have other options on the table if they decide to trade up or down from the fourth overall pick.
Here are top players the Patriots will most likely end up taking at the top of the first round.
Campbell is the odds-on favorite to be taken by the Patriots. Sources around the league expect the Patriots to take a tackle with the fourth pick, and Campbell is viewed as their best option at the position. Their biggest need, after filling most of them in free agency, is still at left tackle, and Campbell started his three college seasons at LSU protecting his quarterback’s blind side.
Campbell is not without some question marks, however. His 33-inch arms and his 77 3/8-inch wingspan are historically short for a left tackle, so there is a thought that he might have to slide inside to guard. If Campbell is the pick, the Patriots are obviously betting against that scenario.
If the Patriots don’t select Campbell at fourth overall, then they would need to find a tackle somewhere else in the draft.
The Browns (No. 2 overall) and the Giants (No. 3 overall) have reportedly fielded calls from teams interested in trading up. There are really only two potential options if the Patriots are one of those teams interested in moving up.
Hunter would fill a massive need at wide receiver, and he’s also the top cornerback in this draft. He wants to play both positions in the NFL, and given the Patriots’ lack of top-end wide receiver talent, it would make sense for him to be a full-time offensive player and part-time defender.
The Patriots also need more pass-rush help even after signing defensive tackle Milton Williams and edge defenders Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson this offseason. Premier pass rushers are among the highest paid players in the NFL, and that’s how Carter projects coming out of Penn State.
Similar to fellow Nitany Lions defender Micah Parsons, Carter has the flexibility to play as a linebacker or edge defender.
In an ideal world, the Patriots would trade down to acquire more picks and then still potentially pick Campbell. If they do indeed trade down and Campbell isn’t available, then Membou is the next-best option at tackle.
Membou also comes with risks. He played right tackle throughout his college career, and although he has better length than Campbell, his 33 1/2-inch arms only rank in the 26th percentile for offensive tackles.
Possibly the most talented player in the draft after Hunter and Carter, Jeanty’s positional value as a running back pushes him down the board a bit.
With the right offensive infrastructure in place, Jeanty could be as impactful as Saquon Barkley was for the Eagles.
Walker is another versatile linebacker/edge defender. At just 6-foot-1, 243 pounds, however, he’s a tweener in the Patriots’ defense. He’s bigger than a typical Mike Vrabel linebacker and undersized for a pass rusher. Walker’s maturity and character are unmatched as the Patriots are attempting to build a culture, however.
The Patriots have a major need at wide receiver, but Warren is the top pass-catcher available in this year’s draft. He’s coming off of a monster season at Penn State that saw him used as a pass catcher, ball carrier and passer.
The Patriots spent big money on defensive tackles in consecutive offseasons, locking up Christian Barmore to an extension last offseason and signing Williams in free agency this March. Barmore’s status is still up in the air as he recovers from blood clots, however, so defensive tackle remains a need. Graham would make an impact as a disruptive interior defender.
McMillan is regarded as the top wide receiver in this year’s class. He has prototypical size at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, but he lacks speed and separation ability.
It’s difficult to find “X” wide receivers in free agency, however, and McMillan fits the bill. It might be rich to use the No. 4 overall pick on McMillan, but he could be a better value after a trade down.