2025 NFL Draft Predictions: Experts Weigh In on Patriots’ Top Picks

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching on April 24, analysts and experts are weighing in on whom the New England Patriots should select with their fourth overall pick. After finishing last season with the second-lowest yards per game and last in passing yards, the Patriots have pressing needs on both the offensive line and at the edge position.

Recent projections suggest that offensive tackle Will Campbell from LSU is a favored candidate among experts, as he matches the Patriots’ need for a reliable blocker to protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Campbell, a three-year starter at left tackle, boasts impressive athleticism and technique. “The coaching staff needs its young quarterback upright and comfortable in the pocket,” one analyst stated. This sentiment is echoed by more than half of the cited mock drafts, which favor Campbell as the best pick for New England’s current situation.

Another contender for the pick is edge rusher Abdul Carter from Penn State, who is regarded as the top player at his position in this year’s draft class. The Patriots recorded only 28 sacks last season, and adding a dynamic pass rusher like Carter could help revive their defensive effectiveness. “Carter’s speed and relentless nature immediately improve one of the league’s worst pass rushes,” noted another expert.

While Campbell and Carter are the top choices in many scenarios, some experts suggest exploring other prospects like Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback from Colorado, particularly if trades shake up the draft order ahead of the Patriots. Other mock drafts highlight players like Travis Hunter and Kelvin Banks Jr. as potential picks who could provide considerable talent at key positions.

The NFL Scouting Combine, scheduled to begin on February 27, will provide additional insights into these prospects’ athletic performances, adding yet another layer to teams’ decision-making processes as the draft nears.

The Patriots’ coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, has a critical opportunity to reshape the team’s roster as they seek to improve on last season’s disappointing campaign. A clear strategy will be essential as the franchise aims to identify and secure the right talent to support Maye and bolster the overall team performance.

As analysts, fans, and stakeholders eagerly await the outcome of this year’s selections, all eyes will surely be on the Patriots and their pivotal decisions during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.