B
New England Patriots
Larceny in the Round 7 slot lands the Patriots a B, Mondon Jr. and all.
by Tiago91 ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
You could see the war room lean forward. Smael Mondon Jr. at pick No. 217 is the sort of fall that does not happen, except it just did.
That wide receiver hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall. The cost of the Campbell reach is exactly the players who went right after him.
Job largely done: edge rusher settled and 5 of 8 of the wish list covered.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a bendy edge with upside at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
You do not let a safety like Malaki Starks reach No. 38 and blink. They did not. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Colston Loveland in Round 3, Pick 5 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
No drama and no debate, Tate Ratledge went about where he belonged in the 77th pick. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A running back of that caliber at pick 104 is the definition of value, full stop. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Barrett Carter at pick No. 143 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. It adds depth where they could use a little.
They will replay Smael Mondon Jr. at slot 217 for years; that is how good the value is. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
A premium they did not need to pay, DJ Campbell a notch or two before his time. The roster fit checks out.
Clay Webb at pick No. 238 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the offensive lineman. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.