A-
New England Patriots
The steal of the weekend belongs to the Patriots and Mondon Jr.: A-.
by Dutch ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 12 picks
· 11 steals
· 0 reaches
Thirty-one other rooms let Smael Mondon Jr. slide, and the Patriots were the ones holding the card at slot 220. Highway robbery. It holds up to a second look, which is why it earns the A-.
Every deal seemed to tilt their way, which is not luck. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it. They will answer for taking linebacker early while edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots went begging.
The Wyatt Teller pickup adds a known quantity to a class of unknowns.
A strong weekend's work, and a rare one to find this little fault with.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 7th pick they get a No. 1 receiver. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
Luther Burden III at No. 34 is money in the bank, a wide receiver taken below his worth. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Nick Emmanwori at slot 36 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Jalon Walker at pick 38 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A minor need, but a need all the same.
A surprising call. With edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots still to address, they spent the 67th overall pick on Jihaad Campbell, a linebacker they were not short of.
The board fumbled Harold Fannin Jr. all the way to Round 3, Pick 15, and they scooped it up. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Somehow Omarion Hampton was still sitting there in the Round 3 slot, and they pounced on premier running back value. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Benjamin Morrison at pick No. 103 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Danny Stutsman in the 138th pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Taking Eli Stowers in slot 219 is close to grand larceny; a tight end that good had no business lasting this long. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Steal is underselling it; Smael Mondon Jr. at pick 220 is a heist with the alarm still ringing. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
Karene Reid in the Round 7 slot is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.