Mock Draft
11/20/24
8 min read
New England Patriots 2025 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Time to Build Around Drake Maye
The New England Patriots finally look like they have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye.
Now they just need to figure out how to build around him, and quickly.
A 3-8 record has the Patriots near the bottom of the league, but there's optimism for future seasons with the flashes that Maye has shown. On top of that, the Patriots are likely to be near the top of the draft order and have a projected $132 million in cap space this upcoming offseason.
The Patriots will likely get busy in free agency to build around Maye, but they'll also need to hit on some draft picks. Here's what a seven-round mock draft could look like based on the team's current draft position.
Patriots 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Tetairoa McMillan vs Colorado
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) July 11, 2024
6’5, physical, and flexible. He won the day vs Travis Hunter pic.twitter.com/TjD94cfQ1e
Round 1, 6th Overall
Pick Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona 
Picking outside of the top five makes it unlikely that the Patriots can land Travis Hunter, but Tetairoa McMillan is a pretty good consolation prize.
McMillan is a 6-foot-5, 212-pound wideout who excels on the perimeter with elite body control and ball skills. He's capable of making contested catches with ease and regularly goes viral for absurd catches. He also has enough speed and quickness to separate as he improves his route running and isn't disrupted by press coverage, thanks to his size and athletic ability.
The Patriots lack an impact playmaker on the perimeter. McMillan would give Maye his new favorite target as a safety outlet when everything else isn't there because the Arizona wideout can make a catch out of just about anything.
McMillan's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Round 2, 38th Overall
Pick: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia 
If the Patriots don't end up taking an offensive lineman in Round 1, it'll likely be because they were big spenders in the trenches in free agency. Even if that happens, it's important that the Patriots also address the unit early in the draft, taking a versatile player like Milum.
A four-year starter on West Virginia's offensive line, Milum started on the right side before moving to left tackle. He's dominated at the position, allowing just zero sacks and five pressures in 281 pass-blocking snaps this season.
Milum is a fluid prospect with good length at 6-foot-6 but a lighter frame. He has the movement skills and length to stick with anyone in pass protection, and he can hold his own in the run game by consistently focusing on his pad level.
The lack of lower body strength could hurt Milum against bull rushers on the outside at the NFL level, making a kick inside to guard a possibility. Regardless, having someone who could play multiple spots would be invaluable for an offensive line in a transition phase.
Milum's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
I'm a big fan of Ole Miss CB Trey Amos, day 1 starter in a press scheme. Leads CFB with 9 passes defended, great zone IQ, competitive run defender pic.twitter.com/svcCmfpnQ9
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) November 12, 2024
Round 3, 70th Overall
Pick: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
For all of the talk about the Ole Miss offense, it's actually the defense that has the bulk of its NFL Draft prospects for 2025.
Amos has quickly become an ascending cornerback in this year's draft class. A transfer from Alabama, Amos has been targeted early and often this season without giving up much. He's allowed just 28 catches on 53 targets for a 55.7 passer rating, with two touchdowns allowed and three interceptions when targeted.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Amos is an instinctive cornerback prospect with the speed and movement skills to stay in phase with all types of receivers. He needs to improve his tackling technique and keep the effort going as a run defender, but he'd be an ideal young cornerback to pair with Christian Gonzalez.
Round 3, 84th Overall
Pick: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
A poor offensive line has hurt Rhamondre Stevenson's effectiveness this year, but even if that changes, the Patriots need a change-of-pace back behind him to keep defenses on their toes.
Henderson won't be a workhorse at the NFL level, but during his time at Ohio State, he's been an electric weapon for the Buckeyes. He has excellent short-area quickness to side step defenders and wiggle his way into gaps, with the burst to take off once he finds a crease.
Although he isn't reliable in pass protection, Henderson does bring some versatility as a solid pass catcher. He could come into New England and be an ideal rotational back behind Stevenson to give the backfield some juice.
Very impressed by how consistently disruptive Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone is. Great power and quick hands make him a handful for Big 12 o-linemen pic.twitter.com/evhtIOFgHG
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) June 6, 2024
Round 4, 108th Overall
Pick: Dontay Corleone, DL, Cincinnati
Beefing up in the trenches is always important, especially if you can snag a player like Corleone in the fourth round.
Nicknamed "The Godfather," Corleone has been a disruptive nose tackle for the Bearcats in the last few seasons. At 320 pounds, he is a lighter nose than other mammoths at the position, but he still wins consistently with play strength and leverage while possessing good overall athletic ability.
Corleone will need to keep improving his anchor and stay more disciplined instead of flying upfield once he's in the backfield. However, he's so consistent with good technique at the point of attack that he should be an immediate contributor at the NFL level.
Round 5, 144th Overall
Pick: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
Offensive line depth will be a top priority for the Patriots this upcoming offseason, so don't be surprised to see them double-dip (or triple) on the line in the draft.
Cornelius transferred from Rhode Island before the 2023 season and has become a two-year anchor at right tackle for the Ducks. He has a well-built 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame with powerful hands and play strength to move bodies in the run game.
He's still raw and developing in pass protection, but at least he has an understanding of how powerful he is, which can help him mask those flaws in times when he needs to bail himself out of trouble. His movement limitations might have him better suited to play guard, especially if he can add weight to his frame.
NEBRASKA PICK SIX!!! pic.twitter.com/Ck4xcR3JEo
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 8, 2024
Round 7, 219th Overall
Pick: Tommi Hill, DB, Nebraska
It's unclear what Tommi Hill's role or impact will be at the NFL level. However, he clearly loves football.
After transferring from Arizona State, Hill has worn multiple hats for the Cornhuskers, including cornerback, wide receiver, and return specialist. He's had an impact at all three phases of the game, showing off impressive athletic ability and instincts.
Hill's most likely landing spot will be at corner in the NFL. He doesn't have top-end play speed or experience to immediately handle top-tier receivers. Still, he has the instincts, frame, strength, and competitive toughness to stick around an NFL roster until he can develop and settle into a position.
Round 7, 221st Overall
Pick: Gust Hartwig, iOL, Purdue
At this point in the draft, the Patriots and other teams will just start throwing darts at players who are interesting. Gus Hartwig fits that bill as a long-time starter for the Purdue Boilermakers.
A player recognized for his off-field character, Hartwig also shows impressive instincts in pass protection and the ability to climb to the second level in the run game. He'll likely operate best as a backup center in the NFL but could be a fill-in starter due to injuries.
I’m pretty sure Dillon Bell ran the DK Metcalf Dig & Go!! pic.twitter.com/6XlCWhLkuu
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) September 29, 2024
Round 7, 240th Overall
Pick: Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs have sorely missed having a stacked group of playmakers this season. Fortunately, Dillon Bell is still around as a Swiss Army knife for the offense.
Bell is an above-average route runner with strong hands, but he thrives after the catch or on designed runs. He has good vision and contact balance to break off YAC in bunches, even if he doesn't have top-end burst or play speed.
At the least, he could be a fun chess piece for an NFL offense and someone the Patriots could use in multiple roles.
