To many local fans, the New England Patriots’ hire of Mike Vrabel as head coach has so far proved to be the right move. This is due to the fact that the Patriots have had their first very successful draft in a long time. In fact, the Patriots received an average draft grade of A- from multiple draft expert sources, including The Ringer, The Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports. Moreover, they had the best draft of all 32 teams according to the NFL. 

Before the draft, the team’s priority position targets to upgrade on both their offensive and defensive line. To fulfill their needs of a stronger team, the Patriots selected three offensive linemen in the first, third and seventh rounds. With one being the top ranked offensive lineman in the draft and two defensive linemen in the fourth and fifth rounds.

With the Patriots’ first pick being fourth overall in the entire draft, they selected star offensive tackle out of Louisiana State University (LSU), Will Campbell. The 6’6 324 pound tackle played in 38 games with 38 starts, totaling 2,553 snaps. Throughout all his snaps, Campbell only let up five sacks making him one of the top offensive linemen in the entire 2025 NFL Draft.

With their next three picks, the Patriots selected two skill position players and the best center in the draft to continue to strengthen and improve their offense. 

With the 38th pick in the draft, the Patriots selected TreVeyon Henderson, a running back out of Ohio State. Henderson finished last year with over 1,000 rushing yards while splitting time with the Cleveland Browns second round pick, Quinshon Judkins. On top of that, Henderson was debatably the best blocking running back in the entire draft. Therefore, not only will he rush for plenty of yards while splitting time with Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots current starting running back, but he will also be another great blocker to help protect Drake Maye.

Next, with the 69th overall pick, the Patriots selected Kyle Williams, a wide receiver out of Washington State. Williams was one of the quickest wide receivers in the draft with a 4.4 second 40 yard dash and quick burst capability. He finished his senior year with the eighth most receiving yards in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with nearly 1,200 yards which ranks sixth among wide receivers. 

With the 95th overall pick, the Patriots selected Jared Wilson, the top-ranked center in the draft out of Georgia. With the Patriots former star veteran center, David Andrews being released, Wilson will be a sufficient replacement at the center position.

With their next three selections, Vrabel and the Patriots looked to improve the defensive side of the ball by drafting three under the radar prospects. With the 106th, 137th and 146th overall picks, the Patriots selected Craig Woodson, a safety out of the University of California-Berkeley, Joshua Farmer, a defensive lineman out of Florida State and Bradyn Swinson, an edge rusher out of LSU. Farmer totaled four sacks, which is impressive for an interior defensive lineman and Swinson totaled an imposing 8.5 sacks, which is the twenty fifth most in the entire FBS. 

With their last couple picks, the Patriots upgraded key special teams positions and brought in another offensive lineman and cornerback. With the 182nd, 220th, 251st and 257th overall picks, the Patriots selected Andres Borregales, a kicker out of the University of Miami, Marcus Bryant, and offensive tackle out of the University of Missouri, Julian Ashby, a long snapper out of Vanderbuilt, and Kobee Minor, a cornerback out of Memphis. 

All in all, Patriots fans have got to be appreciative of what Coach Vrabel is bringing to the table and the new post-Bill Belichick culture he is putting forth into his rebuild.