A
New England Patriots
The Patriots cashed the board's mistake on Strong: A.
by Afr3 ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 6 steals
· 0 reaches
This is the pick they will still be bragging about in July: Dorian Strong, the No. 163 name on the board, stolen at No. 222.
Every deal seemed to tilt their way, which is not luck. They punted on edge rusher, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
Add it up and this is about as clean as a draft weekend gets.
Pick-by-Pick
Jalon Walker at slot 33 is money in the bank, a linebacker taken below his worth. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
The board had Emeka Egbuka higher than the 38th pick, and the wide receiver fell to them anyway. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They took Tate Ratledge at par in Round 3, Pick 3, which is nothing to complain about. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
TreVeyon Henderson slid further than he should have, and No. 69 is lovely value for the running back. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
No drama and no debate, Donovan Jackson went about where he belonged in pick No. 77. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Gunnar Helm in pick 94 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. It fills a real need, too.
A clean, defensible pick in the Round 4 slot with a little surplus value in Cam Skattebo. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
You do not let an offensive lineman like Emery Jones Jr. reach the 145th overall pick and blink. They did not. The roster fit checks out.
A straight-up fair deal on Cam Jackson at the 219th overall pick, value and slot in agreement. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Dorian Strong at pick 222 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Somehow KeAndre Lambert-Smith was still sitting there in the 240th pick, and they pounced on premier wide receiver value. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.