B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots let Paul Jr. fall and pounced. Final grade: B-.
by JonH ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 6 steals
· 1 reaches
Somewhere a general manager is explaining how Chris Paul Jr. got past him. The Patriots do not have to explain a thing at the 221st overall pick. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B-.
Reaching for Burks left real value on the table behind him. A whole weekend of picks and edge rusher is somehow still a want.
Not a headline-grabber, but a perfectly good weekend's work.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 3 they get a long-term starter on the line. A real need, handled.
Tyler Warren in pick 39 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The roster fit checks out.
The board fumbled Kaleb Johnson all the way to slot 70, and they scooped it up. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Alfred Collins in No. 80 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
They will replay Deontae Lawson at the 106th overall pick for years; that is how good the value is. A minor itch, scratched.
Steal is underselling it; Jake Majors at the Round 5 slot is a heist with the alarm still ringing. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Taking Chris Paul Jr. in pick No. 221 is close to grand larceny; a linebacker that good had no business lasting this long. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
Ar'maj Reed-Adams in the 223rd pick should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. It fills a real need, too.
Deion Burks in pick 235 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.