B-
New England Patriots
More right than wrong for the Patriots, and a B- to prove it.
by bjewel ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 4 steals
· 3 reaches
Call it a hunch or call it a gamble, but the Patriots spent the 38th pick on Tate Ratledge, a name most had 32 spots down the list.
The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Getting Lachey where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. They went 6 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
By-the-book stuff, Will Campbell at slot 4 squarely in line with his ranking. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A big swing on Tate Ratledge at the 38th overall pick, well ahead of any board in the building. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They paid sticker price for Jayden Higgins in Round 3, Pick 5, and that is fine. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Jaylin Noel. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Darius Alexander slipping to No. 106 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A quiet steal in the Round 5 slot: Malachi Moore for less than the market said. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Kyle Monangai in the Round 7 slot is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Luke Lachey in the 220th overall pick. It fills a real need, too.
A premium they did not need to pay, Teddye Buchanan a notch or two before his time. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.