B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots fleeced the room on the phones and earned a B+.
by Rob ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 2 steals
· 5 reaches
The Patriots clearly saw something nobody else did in Raheim Sanders, taking him 36 picks ahead of his grade. The board is not convinced.
The phones were where this weekend was really won. The Walker pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
A interior defensive lineman of that caliber at pick 35 is the definition of value, full stop. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
By-the-book stuff, Tyler Booker at pick No. 36 squarely in line with his ranking. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They reached a country mile for Earnest Greene III at the 67th overall pick, and the board is aghast. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
You do not let a tight end like Mitchell Evans reach the 68th pick and blink. They did not. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Raheim Sanders this early at No. 99. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
They paid up for Andrew Mukuba at Round 5, Pick 3 when waiting would have done the job. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Tahj Brooks at Round 5, Pick 4 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. The roster fit checks out.
Value said wait; Chris Tyree in slot 195 says they were not listening. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.