B-
New England Patriots
Larceny in No. 222 lands the Patriots a B-, Pegues and all.
by EMANPATSFAN ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 3 steals
· 2 reaches
The value of the weekend has a name and a slot: JJ Pegues, slot 222, roughly 46 picks past where he belonged. A dependable weekend that grades out a B-.
They punted on edge rusher, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. The Smith reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade. They left with wide receiver solved and the rest of the wish list mostly ticked off.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 4th overall pick they get a three-down runner. A real need, handled.
They paid a round early for Aireontae Ersery in slot 38, more than the board wanted. The roster fit checks out.
No edge and no loss on Elijah Arroyo in Round 3, Pick 5; it is a wash and a sensible one. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They paid sticker price for Darien Porter in the Round 3 slot, and that is fine. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Ozzy Trapilo in the 105th pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Tory Horton in pick No. 145 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They took Cam Horsley at par in No. 219, which is nothing to complain about. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
The board fumbled JJ Pegues all the way to pick 222, and they scooped it up. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
A conviction pick on Jaylin Smith at Round 7, Pick 22 that the board grades a round light. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.