B
New England Patriots
The Patriots let Alexander fall into their laps, and walked away with a B.
by d ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 7 steals
· 2 reaches
You build a draft on nights like this. Darius Alexander had no business being available in the 217th overall pick, and the Patriots did the only sane thing and turned in the card. It does the job without flash, and the B reflects it.
Overpaying at the table undid a lot of the good work elsewhere. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it.
Reaching for Skattebo left real value on the table behind him. The hoard sets up next April more than it helps this September.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 25 they get a security blanket over the middle, and a steal at that. A clean fit for the roster.
Walter Nolen at the Round 2 slot is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Good price on Marcus Mbow in Round 2, Pick 26, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
A tidy little value on Jalen Royals in slot 69, a step better than break-even. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They paid a round early for Ozzy Trapilo in pick No. 77, more than the board wanted. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Cam Skattebo in the 79th overall pick is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. The roster fit checks out.
A wide receiver of that caliber at pick 106 is the definition of value, full stop. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They barely believed it either: Smael Mondon Jr. still on the board at the 144th pick. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Circle this one: Darius Alexander at Round 7, Pick 1 is a fall that decides a draft. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They will replay Tyler Shough at No. 220 for years; that is how good the value is. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Taking Trevor Etienne in the 238th pick is close to grand larceny; a running back that good had no business lasting this long. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.