B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots cashed the board's mistake on Fitzgerald: B-.
by Mar4xxxxxxxxxx ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 4 steals
· 3 reaches
Somewhere a general manager is explaining how Ryan Fitzgerald got past him. The Patriots do not have to explain a thing at the 238th overall pick.
Every board in the league had Walley lower, and that gap is the story. They covered a lot of ground and still skipped edge rusher, which is a strange place to end up.
Wide receiver was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.
All told, a draft that does its job without fuss, and there is real value in that.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 4th pick they get protection for the quarterback. A clean fit for the roster.
Somehow Jalon Walker was still sitting there in slot 38, and they pounced on premier linebacker value. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Fair-plus on Jalen Royals, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Andrew Mukuba is a better player than the 81st overall pick suggests; smart patience, rewarded. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Circle this one: Quinshon Judkins at No. 104 is a fall that decides a draft. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Joshua Farmer in the Round 4 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Value said wait; Kyle Williams in Round 5, Pick 6 says they were not listening. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A wild overpay on Garrett Dellinger in pick 217, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. A need, and now a little less of one.
Justin Walley in pick No. 220 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Ryan Fitzgerald at the 238th overall pick is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.