B
New England Patriots
The Patriots robbed the room for Mafah. Final grade: B.
by PappyF ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
When a board-topper like Phil Mafah slides to the 222nd pick, you do not overthink it, and the Patriots did not. No fireworks, but a solid B.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through quarterback. Burke has a lot of ground to make up just to look fairly priced.
Edge rusher was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but quarterback.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 4th overall pick they get a disruptor off the edge. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
Armand Membou at the 38th pick nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Jalen Royals at No. 69 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the wide receiver. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
A reach for Denzel Burke in pick 77; a little patience would have been rewarded. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
A slide stopped in slot 105, with Danny Stutsman worth more than the price. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Lathan Ransom in Round 5, Pick 6 should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Luke Lachey in pick No. 219 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Phil Mafah in the Round 7 slot is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Cam Jackson at pick No. 240 is money in the bank, a interior defensive lineman taken below his worth. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.