It’s starting to appear to be an actual risk that the New England Patriots will earn the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NFL Draft.
We’d have to look at 4 extra months of swill for that to return true, however the actuality of the state of affairs is it could permit New England to make a serious improve at one, if not a number of, premium positions.
It’s not all dangerous.
We’re totally conscious that the draft isn’t for an additional six months, however it’s by no means a foul time to disregard the present product this group is placing on the sphere. When you’re excited by maintaining a tally of the long run all through the remaining weeks of this abhorrent season, ensure to have these particular prospects in thoughts.
OT Will Campbell (LSU)
The Patriots don’t simply want an offensive sort out, they want one who will elevate the play of everybody round him and who excels in nearly each part of the place. Campbell is that man.
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It’s extensively anticipated that he’ll be among the many first gamers off the board this coming April, as his mix of stability, energy and agility make him one of many extra polished prospects we’ve seen on the place in a couple of years. LSU has beloved this man ever since he stepped foot on campus, making him a direct starter and ultimately slapping a “7” patch on his jersey, symbolizing him because the group’s prime playmaker from the state of Louisiana. New England is predicted to have choices with its decide, however none could be a neater promote than Campbell.
OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
Campbell or Banks? The Patriots simply might need to reply that query in a couple of months, because the latter has slowly performed into dialogue of being the primary sort out off the board.
Banks has by no means missed a begin throughout his three seasons, and has solely allowed one (sure, one) complete stress this season. Professional Soccer Focus ranks him within the 98th or 99th percentile in each general go blocking and zone run blocking, which is what the Patriots have desperately been attempting to implement over the previous couple of seasons. New England definitely wouldn’t thoughts including some nastiness, and Banks can present that after which some, however there’s an absence of polish that may must be labored on — which would supply a take a look at for offensive line coaches Scott Peters and Robert Kugler.
OT Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
Milum is a consultant of the second, or possibly even third, wave of offensive tackles that may come off the board in April. The Patriots are so dangerous they may think about taking a couple of, although, so it’s value looking on the second- or third-round guys.
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Milum ought to be capable to compete for a beginning job straight away as a rookie, and in a world the place New England feels assured rolling with Vederian Lowe at left sort out, the teenager could be a suitable possibility to return in on the proper aspect. What would they do with their first-round decide in that situation?
CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado)
The Patriots would take one of the best participant within the draft, that’s what they’d do.
Hunter is third within the nation in catches (46) and eighth in receiving yards (561), all whereas recording two interceptions, three go breakups, a game-winning compelled fumble and permitting simply 81 yards and 0 touchdowns on protection via six weeks — enjoying in 620 of 689 complete snaps. He’s one of the best participant within the nation, and has made it attainable for Deion Sanders to start turning round one of many worst packages in school soccer in Colorado.
New England doesn’t essentially want a cornerback, which might be his major place, however Hunter’s skill to play each methods at an all-world stage is one thing we actually haven’t seen this millennium. He simply would possibly be too good to go up.
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WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
New England ought to prioritize investing within the offensive line early, however there’s loads of choices for the membership to “weaponize the offense” within the center rounds. Egbuka, as an illustration, would be the most polished extensive receiver prospect accessible and it’s extensively anticipated that he slides out of the primary spherical.
Egbuka has spent 4 seasons in Columbus, Ohio, and though he’s routinely performed second, third, fourth and even fifth fiddle to the likes of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and now Jeremiah Smith, there’s little doubt he’s bought what it takes to be a premiere slot possibility within the NFL. The Patriots may use an improve at nearly all of their receiver spots, and Egbuka’s mixture of measurement and flexibility will surely assist.
TE Gunnar Helm (Texas)
The Patriots want to start out wanting into tight finish upgrades. Hunter Henry was prolonged this previous offseason, however issues are beginning to look bleak in the case of discovering his eventual substitute. Austin Hooper is by some means not as previous as you’d assume, however nonetheless is sort of 30, whereas Jaheim Bell has made minimal enhancements since being introduced in as a seventh-round decide and shouldn’t be relied upon to ultimately fill these sneakers.
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Helm is one possibility that could possibly be accessible on Day 3, and would instantly add a stage of athleticism that New England’s tight finish room hasn’t had in years. He can leap over dudes, so the cool issue is there, too.
TE Bryson Nesbit (UNC)
Talking of cool…
How cool would it not be to reunite Drake Maye with one in all his favourite school targets in Bryson Nesbit? The Patriots most likely desire a tight finish with extra polish, however he’s athlete and has the scale to enhance as a blocker.
LB Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU)
New England didn’t deal with the defensive aspect of the soccer final season, however it could possibly be afforded a possibility to steal one hell of a participant in 2025.
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Perkins suffered a season-ending knee damage a couple of weeks again, and there was already concern that he was too small (6-foot-1, 225 kilos) to play off the sting on the subsequent stage. The Patriots may take full benefit of a crappy actuality and take Perkins, one of the crucial versatile linebackers within the nation, within the second or third spherical and unleash him in a hybrid position, although. You’ll be able to’t watch him, however don’t overlook the title.
LB/S Sonny Types (Ohio State)
Types is likely one of the most gifted defenders within the nation, and we’re going to make use of this platform to spotlight him heading into the second half of the common season. The Patriots may actually play him wherever from security, to linebacker, to defensive finish — and if there’s a coach that may be infatuated with the prospects of doing one thing like that, it’s Invoice Belichick.
Jerod Mayo most likely wouldn’t thoughts discovering a spot for him, both, although.
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