A
New England Patriots
The Patriots won the night they stopped Neal from sliding. Grade: A.
by ZS ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 5 steals
· 2 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Patriots watched Devin Neal slide 59 picks past his grade and did not hesitate. It holds up to a second look, which is why it earns the A.
The dealing alone would carry a lesser class. That wide receiver hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall. They will need Umanmielen to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it.
On the needs board they went 6 of 8, with edge rusher the one that mattered most.
Bottom line, with Princely Umanmielen leading the way, this is a class that should pay off fast and rarely be regretted.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 24 they get a quarterback's worst nightmare, reach and all. Exactly the need they had to hit.
They robbed the room for Tyler Warren here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Alfred Collins at Round 3, Pick 5 is money in the bank, a interior defensive lineman taken below his worth. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A reach on Donovan Jackson in slot 77; the board had better options right there. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They will replay Tate Ratledge at the Round 3 slot for years; that is how good the value is. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Circle this one: Andrew Mukuba at the 104th pick is a fall that decides a draft. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Devin Neal in pick No. 143 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. The roster fit checks out.