C+
New England Patriots
The Patriots got the worse of every deal, and it shows in the C+.
by Darkknightcole ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 6 steals
· 2 reaches
The Patriots treated their own grade as gospel and everyone else's as noise, spending slot 220 on Jimmy Horn Jr. a full 66 spots early. It washes out to a C+, no better and no worse.
The Kiser steal is the beam this whole class leans on. The trades bled value they could not afford to lose.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through interior defensive lineman. They went 6 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
Hit on Will Campbell and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 8 they get a cornerstone up front. A real need, handled.
A tidy little value on Isaiah Bond in the Round 2 slot, a step better than break-even. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
LT Overton in pick 39 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Tyler Warren at the 67th overall pick is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They will replay Xavier Watts at pick No. 70 for years; that is how good the value is. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A linebacker of that caliber at No. 79 is the definition of value, full stop. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Luke Kandra at No. 103 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Cam Skattebo in pick 138 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A quiet steal in slot 219: Jared Wilson for less than the market said. It fills a real need, too.
Jimmy Horn Jr. in pick No. 220 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Taking Jack Kiser in the 238th pick is close to grand larceny; a linebacker that good had no business lasting this long. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.