NFL Draft Notebook: Patriots bolster offense in 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft

As the season winds down, the New England Patriots hold the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With an offense averaging just 16.6 points per game—ranking No. 30 in the NFL—the Patriots are poised to prioritize an offensive overhaul, regardless of their season finale outcome against the Buffalo Bills.

In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we outline how New England can address their offensive struggles through seven-round mock draft. We also spotlight key rookies to watch this weekend, examine how critical matchups could impact the draft landscape, and finish up by highlighting a rookie quarterback who could be on the move this offseason.

New England Patriots 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 1: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Patriots opt to take the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft rather than trading down. Travis Hunter is a generational talent capable of excelling as either a game-breaking wide receiver or a lockdown cornerback. Pairing him with Christian Gonzalez could give New England one of the league's top young cornerback tandems.

Round 2, Pick 36: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Offensive tackle is a top priority for New England, but with no tackle worth a top-five selection, they address the need in the second round. Ohio State’s Josh Simmons is an athletic left tackle who could replace Vederian Lowe and significantly bolster the line.

Round 3, Pick 67: Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
The Patriots continue to invest in the offensive line by selecting Georgia All-American Tate Ratledge. Ratledge has allowed just two sacks during his five-year college career and should help upgrade a unit that currently allows 3.2 sacks per game.

Round 3, Pick 79: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
New England addresses their lack of receiving talent with Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins. The 6'3" wideout excels at catching passes in traffic and could complement Demario Douglas, particularly if rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker don’t improve.

Round 4, Pick 103: Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina
Ranking last in the NFL with just 28 sacks, the Patriots must address their pass rush. Kyle Kennard, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 11.5 sacks this season and has the tools to make an immediate impact, especially with Deatrich Wise Jr. potentially leaving in free agency.

Round 5, Pick 138: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
New England’s run defense, ranked 26th by Pro Football Focus, gets a boost with Nebraska’s Ty Robinson. A big, athletic tackle, Robinson combines quickness and strength to clog up running lanes and provide a physical interior presence.

Round 7, Pick 219: Connor Colby, OG, Iowa
The Patriots continue fortifying the offensive line by selecting Connor Colby. Versatile with experience at both guard and tackle, Colby has the length and mobility to develop into a valuable depth piece.

Round 7, Pick 220: Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
While running back isn’t a top priority, Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai offers excellent value here. A physical back with consecutive 1,200-yard seasons, Monangai was Rutgers’ first unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection on offense.

Round 7, Pick 238: Ricky White, WR, UNLV
The Patriots conclude their draft by adding Ricky White from UNLV. A productive receiver with 167 catches for 2,524 yards and 19 touchdowns over the last two seasons, White provides depth at wide receiver and value on special teams.

5 things to watch in NFL Week 18 and the CFP

1. Can Bo Nix lead the Broncos to the playoffs

The Denver Broncos have been one of the NFL's biggest surprises this season, thanks in large part to the impressive play of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Entering the league with modest expectations, Nix has exceeded them, putting the Broncos in position to make a playoff push. With a win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Nix can become the first rookie quarterback since John Elway to lead Denver to the postseason. His task will be made easier as the Chiefs, already locked into their playoff position, are expected to rest their starters. 

2. Who gets the number one seed in the NFC

The biggest game of the weekend features the Detroit Lions taking on the Minnesota Vikings in a showdown that will decide the NFC North champion and, more importantly, the top seed in the playoffs. A key player to watch is Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, who will be tasked with slowing down the Vikings' explosive passing attack in this high-stakes battle.

3. Can Texas’s secondary shut down Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith

One of the standout players in this year's College Football Playoffs has been Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Over two games, Smith has showcased his dominance, hauling in 13 receptions for 290 yards and four touchdowns. However, on Friday, he'll face a formidable challenge against Texas's pass defense. The Longhorns boast a unit that allows just 166 passing yards per game and is loaded with NFL-caliber talent. Cornerback Jahdae Barron and safety Andrew Mukuba are among the key players, both projected as Day 2 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.

4. Will Penn State tight end Tyler Warren continue to be a coverage nightmare

If Penn State hopes to upset Notre Dame on Thursday night, they'll need a stellar performance from John Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren. The standout tight end has been a matchup nightmare all season, using his size, speed, and route-running ability to dominate opposing defenses. Penn State, however, features a tough Notre Dame pass defense led by safety Xavier Watts, who is regarded as the third-best safety prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

5. Black Monday

Black Monday, the day when several NFL head coaches are typically dismissed, is poised to play a significant role in shaping teams’ strategies for the 2025 NFL Draft. Coaching changes often signal shifts in organizational priorities, philosophies, and player evaluations. As new regimes take the helm, their preferences and system fits will heavily influence the types of prospects targeted in the upcoming draft. This pivotal day will not only determine the future of several franchises but also reshape the draft landscape in the months ahead.

NFL Draft news and notes

Jim Harbaugh type back: Watching the Peach Bowl, one prospect who looked like he would be the ideal fit in Jim Harbaugh’s offense is Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo. Known for his punishing running style, Skattebo forced an astounding 102 missed tackles this season, showcasing the kind of physicality that perfectly aligns with Harbaugh’s smashmouth approach. Skattebo would be an excellent complement to current starter J.K. Dobbins, whose slashing and explosive running style contrasts beautifully with Skattebo’s rugged, tackle-breaking demeanor. Together, they could form a devastating backfield duo capable of controlling the game on the ground. If the Chargers are looking to bolster their backfield, they could likely land Skattebo in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Titans now in position to get their quarterback: Just weeks ago, NFL Mocks examined the Tennessee Titans’ options for addressing their quarterback situation, highlighting concerns about holding the sixth overall pick. Now, with the Titans rising to the second overall pick, the team is in an excellent position to land their next franchise quarterback. Two top prospects—Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward—are widely regarded as top-five talents in this year’s draft. Either would represent a significant upgrade over current starter Will Levis

Could Vikings move J.J. McCarthy: An intriguing possibility in the quarterback market involves Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy. His future with the team could be in question if the Vikings secure a long-term deal with Sam Darnold, who has emerged as a top-five quarterback in the NFL this year. At just 27 years old, Darnold’s youth and proven performance could make a developmental quarterback like McCarthy less critical to the Vikings' plans. If that happens, it’s conceivable that Minnesota would entertain offers for McCarthy, especially if they can land a first-round pick in return. A team like the Las Vegas Raiders might be a potential trade partner in such a scenario.

Bucs rookie wide receiver coming on strong:  Tampa Bay's rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan is hitting his stride. The Buccaneers have enjoyed standout performances from both of their mid-round offensive selections in the 2024 NFL Draft: running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Jalen McMillan. While Irving has already cemented his status as the top running back from the 2024 draft class, McMillan is now making waves after a sluggish start to his season. Over the last four games, McMillan has tallied at least 50 receiving yards in each contest and racked up an impressive six touchdowns. This marks a stark improvement from his early-season struggles, where he failed to exceed 35 yards and managed just one touchdown across the first 12 games.

Elite pass catcher class: This year’s group of rookie pass catchers has been nothing short of extraordinary. For the first time in NFL history, four rookies have surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in a single season: wide receivers Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Ladd McConkey, along with tight end Brock Bowers. Remarkably, these standout rookies from 2024 hail from just two schools—Georgia (Bowers and McConkey) and LSU (Nabers and Thomas). Before this historic season, only one set of college teammates had both achieved 1,000 receiving yards as rookies: Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson in 2022, representing Ohio State. 

Round two option for Jacksonville: If the Jacksonville Jaguars opt for a cornerback in the first round instead of addressing their defensive line with a player like Michigan’s Mason Graham, a prime target in the second round could be Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Nolen would be an ideal fit for Jacksonville, bringing athleticism as a pass rusher while filling a significant void on the defensive front. His presence could also free up defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen to make an even greater impact. Nolen’s dominance against the run this season, highlighted by an impressive 91.9 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus, adds to his appeal as a second-round selection.

Ravens replacement for Justin Tucker: The Baltimore Ravens may face a significant decision this offseason as seven-time Pro Bowler Justin Tucker is enduring the worst season of his illustrious career, connecting on just 73% of his field goal attempts. At 35 years old, it’s becoming increasingly uncertain whether Tucker can return to his previous form. A potential successor could be Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald, who has put together a flawless season, converting 100% of his field goals. Fitzgerald has demonstrated incredible range, hitting five kicks from beyond 50 yards, including a season-long 59-yarder. With two fifth-round compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ravens could consider using one to secure the services of this All-American kicker.