Eight Takeaways After Patriots Finalize 2025 Draft Class

The New England Patriots put the finishing touches on their draft class Saturday.

New England ultimately selected 11 total players across the three nights of the 2025 NFL Draft, primarily focusing on finding complementary pieces to surround those already on the roster. Can we learn anything from that approach?

Yup!

I had a few notable takeaways from the weekend’s proceedings, so let’s discuss:

1. PERSONALITY > TALENT

Mike Vrabel has routinely mentioned the importance of knowing what kind of person he’s bringing into this system, and his crew spent the early portion of the draft adding players that are viewed as potential leaders before shifting and taking advantage of a few fallers — a.k.a. good business.

Will Campbell has been considered a cornerstone type of leader since his early days at LSU, and certainly said all the right things when being introduced to the media following his selection. TreVeyon Henderson was a known commodity going back to Ohio State, where Vrabel and right-hand man John Streicher have strong ties. Kyle Williams, Jared Wilson and Craig Woodson all spoke about how they intend on bringing energy to the next level.

Joshua Farmer and Bradyn Swinson, on the other hand, both fell far beyond where many people believed they’d be selected, and whad’ya know, used their post-draft media availabilities to tout how excited they were to prove people wrong.

“I think I was the 17th defensive tackle taken,” Farmer said. “Everybody in the world knows that’s not how that was supposed to go. I’m going to get there and prove everybody wrong.”

The Patriots showed that they value a good mindset just as much as a dominant trait, which all points back to their desire to build a new culture. Patriots vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden called it a “major emphasis” on Saturday.

2. SPEED KILLS

It’s not like they took a bunch of bums, though! The Patriots added a few players who can flat out fly, with some even setting a few notable marks with their performances running the 40 in Indianapolis.

Wilson (4.84) ran the fastest time of any center in the history of the scouting combine, and became the fastest offensive lineman selected by the club since at least 2000. Henderson (4.43), Williams (4.40) and Woodson (4.45) are among the fastest prospects drafted at their position by this team over that same stretch, so they clearly wanted to add speed and did so rather effectively.

3. SUPPORTING THE KID

Drake Maye has to be happy with the way things went this weekend, as the entire first three rounds of the draft were approached with him in mind. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf essentially said that was a goal early, before forecasting how they’d shift their focus toward the other side of the ball.

“It’s just how the board works out. We’re not necessarily drafting for need, but we’re drafting with our current roster in mind, so, obviously some of these guys — maybe the running back position wasn’t a top need, but it was certainly somewhere – we wanted to add speed to the roster, to your point, so here’s a fast guy that plays running back that can really help us. It’s a really good player. It’s a good person, so there you go.

“We obviously helped the offense out, but as we move forward here, certainly going to look to address the defense.”

4. “IT’S WHAT WE DO”

New England systematically puts more importance on certain positions than other organizations, with third-down running backs and disruptive interior defensive linemen having more importance here than almost anywhere else.

Henderson was selected to be the former, while joining Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in a backfield that should get heavy usage no matter the situation under Josh McDaniels. Farmer and Swinson will join a suddenly deep stable of talented players who will fit the latter description.

5. NO STONE UNTURNED

New England obviously had a major need along the offensive line, but there were also smaller needs that needed to be addressed throughout the weekend — like kicker and defensive back.

Andres Borregales will immediately compete for the kicking job with John Parker Romo. Woodson can play in the deep third of the field, and although he might not have a huge role early, he will definitely provide depth on special teams. Julian Ashby was even selected to potentially replace the longest tenured player on the team, Joe Cardona.

It’s not like this would have been a disaster without those picks, but they served as a cherry on top of an exciting class.

6. INSURANCE POLICY?

The Patriots pulled the trigger when selecting Campbell at No. 4, but they made sure to circle back.

Marcus Bryant was their selection at No. 220, and while they certainly won’t be expecting him to start at left tackle any time soon, perhaps he is an insurance policy. Bryant checks all the boxes in terms of measurables — 34 5/8″ arm length, 83 1/8″ wingspan — and could potentially compete for a roster spot.

7. MR. IRRELEVANT

Memphis defensive back Kobee Minor was selected 257th on Saturday, which is the final pick of the draft, and made him the latest “Mr. Irrelevant.”

What are the odds he becomes a legit contributor?

8. FANS ARE PLEASED

It’s notoriously tough to please people who root for the New England Patriots.

I love you guys, don’t get me wrong, but you can be a pain in the butt when it comes to transactional stuff because you have such strong opinions and you’re so knowledgeable about things like free agency, trades and the draft.

(Did I land the plane on that one?)

New England wasn’t full of too many complainers after this one, though. Campbell filled the biggest need, Henderson and Williams are explosive playmakers on the offensive side and Farmer and Swinson were supposed to be picked roughly two rounds before where they ended up.

Why do I bring that up? You guys like to hold us accountable when we’re wrong, so I plan on doing the same, though I agree this is a great class at first glance.