A
New England Patriots
The Patriots let Kiner fall and pounced. Final grade: A.
by dan ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 6 steals
· 0 reaches
When a board-topper like Corey Kiner slides to Round 7, Pick 22, you do not overthink it, and the Patriots did not. The board rewarded a patient, disciplined weekend with a A.
The phones were where this weekend was really won. That safety hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall.
The veteran additions, Malik Nabers chief among them, give the class a floor the rookies alone would not. They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
Add it up and this is about as clean as a draft weekend gets.
Pick-by-Pick
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Shemar Stewart in pick No. 34. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Somehow Kenneth Grant was still sitting there in Round 2, Pick 6, and they pounced on premier interior defensive lineman value. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Jalen Royals at pick 69 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the wide receiver. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
You do not let an offensive lineman like Donovan Jackson reach No. 105 and blink. They did not. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They will replay Jared Wilson at slot 145 for years; that is how good the value is. The roster fit checks out.
A slide stopped in the 219th pick, with Jack Kiser worth more than the price. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
Corey Kiner at the Round 7 slot is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.