Patriots’ Day 2 Draft Picks Showcase Commitment To Culture Shift

The Patriots were unrecognizable under Jerod Mayo, but Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft showed an effort to rectify a forgettable season.

New England’s results on the field last season were awful, and it was clear the culture Mayo let pester the locker room was not sustainable. Head coach Mike Vrabel made it clear from the day he was hired that the “entitlement” among players would be eliminated and that the Patriots would be held more accountable.

The team’s three selections Friday were proof of that due to the common trait they share. If you look at the draft profiles of the players, you’ll notice an interesting strength evaluators highlighted: Leadership.

“Unselfish teammate and voted a 2024 team captain — told Ryan Day to do ‘what is best for the team’ when Ohio State was considering adding RB Quinshon Judkins in transfer portal,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote of TreVeyon Henderson.

Brugler noted in his Kyle Williams report that “NFL scouts gave strong character feedback based on how teammates felt about him.” After hearing from the Washington State product, it’s clear how different he’ll be compared to the young receivers from last season.

“I’m definitely going to come in and add value wherever I can,” Williams told Justin Melo of Draft Network on April 17. “I can even play gunner or jammer on special teams. Hopefully, I can make an instant impact as a wide receiver. I just want to leave my mark and make a positive impact in the locker room.

“I’m going to bring competition to the table. I want to help uphold our standard and culture while helping the organization win games.”

Jared Wilson might lack playing experience, but he stepped up as a team leader in Georgia for Sedrick Van Pran. It’s also clear that he understands what it takes to win.

“Those National Championship years, it was exciting times, it was fun times,” Wilson told reporters Friday, per a Patriots transcript. “One thing that I can take away from it is details matter. Attention to detail is what wins games. It’s not a game of yards, it’s not a game of feet, it’s a game of inches. Every step, every punch that you throw as an offensive lineman, every throw that you make as a quarterback, every single thing matters. It’s a long, grueling season and you’ve got to lean on the guys next to you to work together and have a connection to get past that long season and ultimately get to the top of a Super Bowl.”

Leadership qualities aren’t exclusive to the Patriots’ Day 2 picks. Will Campbell quickly showed how much of a high-character person he is, and he also was known as a strong leader at LSU.

New England’s free-agent signings also exemplified the kinds of people Vrabel wants in the Patriots locker room.

After a season of cryptic social media posts and calling out the fans, the Patriots hope their new additions can bring an attitude shift that Vrabel desires in his tenure.