The 2025 NFL Draft started off with a bang on Day 1 as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns pulled off a stunner of a trade that landed Travis Hunter in Duval County! How did that impact the teams in the AFC East? Well, it set the board for the New England Patriots to draft for need at No. 4.
With a 4-13 record and finishing last in the division, the Patriots have many needs. With generational talents like Hunter and Abdul Carter off the board, Mike Vrabel and company went with LSU’s Will Campbell with the 4th pick in the draft.
Patriots selected a player they had to have
In what wasn’t the sexiest move, it was a necessary move for a Patriots team who needs to strengthen the offensive line in front of Drake Maye. Although his arm length has been questioned, the Patriots get a stellar football player who is a leader in the locker room, exactly the type of players Vrabel wants to rebuild a winner in New England.
“He's a leader. He's durable. He's physical, dependable, accountable. He's a quick study”, Vrabel said of Campbell. “We spent a lot of time with him. Whatever mistakes that showed up, which they all do, he recovers quickly and can fix those mistakes.”
In being added to offensive line that needs stability and consistency, Campbell can do both. He also looks like the kind of impactful player along the offensive line the team needs in helping a young QB like Maye continue to develop.
Jets get their own O-line beast
At No. 7, the New York Jets also decided to stabilize their offensive line with the selection of Missouri’s Armand Membou. The big, talented tackle should take care of the right side of the Jet’s offensive line immediately. His elite blocking style should shore up the line in front of Justin Fields as the Jets will likely continue to be a team that runs the ball first.
In selecting Membou, the Jets did pass up on playmaker in Tyler Warren who would have answered their tight end woes, but with a chance to get line help, can’t fault Aaron Glenn and crew for taking a sure bet and then taking a tight end on Day 2 or Day 3 in what is a deep class at that position.
Dolphins adds a run-stuffer in the middle
Down in South Beach, the Miami Dolphins have found their Christian Wilkins replacement with the selection of Michigan star run stuffer Kenneth Grant. This was one of the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft, so it’s a solid one. With his athleticism and ability to get after the passer, Grant should be an explosive addition to a defensive front seven that is fueled on speed and athleticism.
In the AFC East, those attributes will be crucial in getting after mobile quarterbacks like Maye, Fields and Josh Allen.
Bills get a future star at corner!
Speaking of those Buffalo Bills, the division champs got their cornerback. After impressing at the NFL Combine, Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston going No. 30 to the Bills will go down as a steal in years to come. With speed and length, Hairston brings versatility to the Bills’ secondary. In bringing back Tre’Davious White and now adding a young stud like Hairston, Sean McDermott has something to work with defensively in finally getting Buffalo over the hump.
In all, a solid first round for the AFC East as each team took care of needs. Day 2 or Day 3 is where the draft will be defined for each of these teams as each front office looks to identity the talent that fits their teams needs.