C+
New England Patriots
The Patriots let Sanders fall and pounced. Final grade: C+.
by BBB ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 4 steals
· 2 reaches
Every so often the board makes a mistake, and the Patriots were there to profit. Raheim Sanders, the No. 145 name on the board, should have been long gone before the 220th overall pick. Fine in stretches, shaky in others: a C+.
That interior defensive lineman hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall. They handed away value on the phones that the picks cannot earn back.
Hit on Abdul Carter and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 4th overall pick they get a disruptor off the edge. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
No edge and no loss on Jihaad Campbell in slot 38; it is a wash and a sensible one. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Tyler Warren in the 63rd pick is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A conviction pick on Darien Porter at pick 69 that the board grades a round light. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
Ajani Cornelius at No. 104 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
A straight-up fair deal on Savion Williams at pick No. 109, value and slot in agreement. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A reach for Sonny Styles in the Round 4 slot; a little patience would have been rewarded. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A running back of that caliber at Round 7, Pick 1 is the definition of value, full stop. It fills a real need, too.
Circle this one: Raheim Sanders at pick 220 is a fall that decides a draft. The roster fit checks out.
They will replay Jaishawn Barham at the Round 7 slot for years; that is how good the value is. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.