It’s not just the media raving about the Patriots’ 2025 NFL Draft haul.
The Patriots’ 2025 class has earned exceptionally high marks in post-draft grades. Scouts are also high on Mike Vrabel’s first draft with the Patriots.
“I thought they did a really nice job, should be able to get early contributions from a lot of them,” an AFC South scout said. “(Joshua) Farmer and (Bradyn) Swinson on Day 3 were great values.”
An NFC West exec added: “I thought they had a very strong draft all the way through.”
An AFC analytics executive ranked it Top 10 across the NFL.
“I think it’s a really, really solid class,” he said. “They filled a lot of holes with guys I liked. They didn’t add one single player that I was super high on or found amazing value in a certain pick, but I didn’t dislike a single one of those first six picks, which is more than I can say for most teams in the league. Simply not —-ing up puts you ahead of half the league.”
The Patriots themselves are high on the draft, as well, per multiple sources, finding they stayed true to their board and added players with solid character and physical traits.
Let’s answer your questions about the state of the Patriots in the latest installment of the mailbag.
@Cmerc5: How do you see the WR room shaking out?
It’s a tricky question with a number of different factors.
First, Stefon Diggs is a lock for the roster. But will he be on the Week 1 roster, or will be start the season on the PUP list? Diggs is 31 and tore his ACL in late October. Kendrick Bourne was 29 last year, tore his ACL in late October 2023 and didn’t return until Week 5 of the 2024 season.
Outside of Diggs, I view Kyle Williams as a lock, and let’s include Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas as pseudo-locks.
If we’re assuming Diggs is ready for Week 1, that leaves room for two more wide receivers. The options include Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, John Jiles and UDFAs Demeer Blankumsee, Efton Chism III and Jeremiah Webb.
Based on career achievements, Bourne deserves to make the team. Based on potential shown last season, Boutte deserves to make the roster. Based on draft status, Polk and Baker deserve a spot.
Boutte was involved in multiple trade rumors last week. I think that was telling, so I’ll take him out of the mix, assuming the Patriots can get something in return between now and the summer. For the record: I like Boutte. I don’t know if he’ll ever get back on the level that made him a five-star recruit and potential first-round pick, but he had a solid season last year and dramatically improved from Year 1.
I’ll remove the UDFAs and Jiles, as well, until we see them on the practice field. Chism could be the Patriots’ next great slot receiver, or he could be off the roster in two weeks. It’s way too early to tell.
That leaves Baker, Bourne and Polk.
I’m keeping Polk. He was a second-round pick, and there are people within the building who believe he’s best suited as a slot receiver. It’s not hard to imagine him taking on a Jakobi Meyers-esque role if it all clicks for him in Year 2.
So that leaves Bourne and Baker for one spot. The Patriots could free up between $4.9 and $6.3 million in cap space by cutting or trading Bourne, depending on the date. That’s not an insignificant amount of money. Bourne only caught 28 passes for 305 yards in 12 games last season. Keeping Bourne will be dependent on him showing he’s fully healed from 2023’s knee injury.
Baker was a fourth-round pick a year ago, and he caught just one pass in his rookie season.
We’re keeping Bourne as the sixth wide receiver until Baker shows us more in practice.
@BostonPBW: win/loss prediction? i’m at 11-6 making the playoffs
The Patriots’ win total over/under is set at 7.5. I’ll go over, but I’m not ready to say 11 wins. I’ll be optimistic but still somewhat conservative and say they finish 9-8 in 2025.
@Tack_in_FL: Over/Under 4.5 rookies are starters week 1? Which ones?
Are we including specialists? If so, I’ll go over with LT Will Campbell, WR Kyle Williams, C Jared Wilson, K Andres Borregales and LS Julian Ashby. If we’re not including specialists, then I’ll go under. I think RB TreVeyon Henderson starts his career behind Rhamondre Stevenson, and I’m not sure if safety Craig Woodson can crack the initial starting defense. I think defensive tackle Joshua Farmer has the potential to be a starter based on Christian Barmore’s health. I see EDGE Bradyn Swinson as a rotational player early.
@bromes23: Just based on the 90 man who would you guess is the top OL combo
I’ll be more concise with this projection.
LT: Campbell, LG: Cole Strange, C: Wilson, RG: Mike Onwenu, RT: Morgan Moses.
I believe Wilson can win the starting job over Garrett Bradbury. Left guard is tricky. It comes down to Strange, Layden Robinson, Wes Schweitzer, Sidy Sow, Ben Brown, Tyrese Robinson and maybe even Wilson or Caedan Wallace.
Ultimately, I think Strange offers the most upside as a 2022 first-round pick.
@Here_4_some_fun: You see any current players that might get cut later on post June 1st like Tavai?
Here’s the deal: The Patriots still have around $60 million in cap space. They’re in a position where they can cut guys even if it means taking on massive amounts in dead money and actually subtracting cap space. So, yeah, some of the holdovers from last year could still be on the chopping block.
@fraga_timothy: Do you still think they add to the coaching staff and front office? Meaning another assistant WR coach to help downing out and do more of the skill stuff.
Coaching staff, no, but front office, yes.
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