Patriots 2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: A trade down garners more picks

Posted by author March 7, 2025 NFL

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The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone.

With information gathered on both the prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and the Patriots’ plans, here’s our latest crack at a mock draft.

Round 1, Pick No. 4: TRADE

If the Patriots are able to sign a handful of starters in free agency and head into the draft without being beholden to fill major needs, then they feel like they could control the board at No. 4 overall.

In this situation, we have the Saints trading up to No. 4 overall for a quarterback. Based on draft trade value charts, the Patriots could get an additional second-round pick by moving down five spots.

And if Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter are both off the board, then it makes sense to trade down. The top options available would be Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Georgia edge defender Jalon Walker, Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou and the guy listed below at No. 9 overall.

Round 1, Pick No. 9 (from Saints): WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Word out of the combine was that McMillan impressed the Patriots in his formal meeting with a group that included Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf.

The Patriots need an “X” wide receiver, and there are limited options available via free agency, the draft and trades. So, if the Patriots can trade down, pick up an extra Day 3 pick and still wind up filling a need that maybe can’t be plugged through other means.

McMillan didn’t test at the NFL Scouting Combine, which has some questioning his speed, but he’s 6-foot-4, 219 pounds and was a master at making contested catches at Arizona. He caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards with eight touchdowns in 2024 as a junior while earning All-American honors.

Round 2, Pick No. 38: DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Another All-American, Ezeiruaku led his conference with 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in a breakout 2024 campaign.

Vrabel will get all of the information on Ezeiruaku that he needs from BC head coach Bill O’Brien.

Ezeiruaku didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the combine, but his 35.5-inch vertical leap, 9-feet, 11-inch broad jump, 6.94-second 3-cone drill and 4.19-second short shuttle all impressed.

Round 2, Pick No. 40 (from Saints): OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

A three-year starter in the Big Ten at left tackle, the 6-foot-6, 331-pound Ersery also tested exceptionally well at the combine with a 5.01-second 40-yard dash, 1.75-second 10-yard split, 29.5-inch vertical leap, 9-feet, 3-inch broad jump, 7.81-second 3-cone drill and 4.82-second short shuttle.

The Patriots need to sign one or two tackles in free agency, but they also need to keep adding depth through the draft with potentially high-end players.

Round 3, Pick No. 69: DT Deone Walker, Kentucky

A massive presence at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds, Walker was able to generate 51 total pressures in 2023 at Kentucky. He took a step back in 2023 with 22 pressures but had dominant moments at Senior Bowl practices and is worth a flier on Day 2.

The Patriots need to continue adding depth on their defensive line regardless of who they sign in free agency. Walker is a player with obvious upside.

Round 3, Pick No. 77: RB Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State

Skattebo nearly carried Arizona State to a College Football Playoff win over Texas with 143 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns, eight catches for 99 yards and a 42-yard touchdown pass.

This is a strong draft for running backs, and Skattebo would add depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in the Patriots’ running back stable. He’s an accomplished ball-carrier and pass-catcher, totaling 293 carries for 1,711 yards with 21 touchdowns and 45 catches for 605 yards with three more scores in 2024.

Round 4: LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia

The Patriots need to get more athletic at linebacker in Vrabel and Terrell Williams’ defense.

Mondon is 6-foot-2, 224 pounds but still known for his physicality.

Round 5: G Luke Kandra, Cincinnati

The Patriots have a bigger need at tackle, but still need to keep taking mid-round swings at guard to supplement Mike Onwenu, Layden Robinson, Sidy Sow and whoever they add in free agency.

Round 7: CB Zah Frazier, UTSA

Frazier is 6-foot-3, 186 pounds and ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He intercepted six passes with five pass breakups in 2024.

Round 7: LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo

Dolac was an uber-productive combine snub. He led the FBS level with 168 tackles and intercepted five passes with five pass breakups in 2024. Dolac is 23 and slightly undersized at 6 feet, 225 pounds, but he can play ball.

Round 7: G Willie Lampkin, UNC

Another unique prospect, Lampkin is 5-foot-11, 290 pounds and was a first-team All-American in 2024 and a Senior Bowl inviate. He wasn’t invited to the combine.

Lampkin’s size will certainly show up in the NFL, but it’s worth seeing if he can still be effective while using a late-round pick.