Patriots trade for two firsts in post-free agency 7-round mock draft

The New England Patriots focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball in the first wave of free agency. That could potentially lead to a more offensive-focused draft for the team in April.

Keep in mind that free agency isn't over. There are multiple veteran players on the market that can still help the Patriots. The team will also have opportunities to capitalize on trades and future player releases.

It'll be a fine balancing act for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf when deciding between needs or taking the best available player on the draft board.

The two biggest holes for the team currently is at wide receiver and offensive tackle. That leads to an aggressive offensive approach in this mock draft.

Here's our latest Patriots simulation for the 2025 NFL draft:

Round 1, pick No. 4: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Penn State's Abdul Carter is the No. 1 overall talent on the entire 2025 NFL draft board. However, he could fall to the Patriots if the quarterback-needy teams ahead of them draft for need.

That ended up being the case in this mock draft with the defensive game-wrecker falling to New England at No. 4 overall. The Patriots can't allow themselves to get caught up in drafting for need if Carter or Travis Hunter becomes available in this spot.

Take the best player on the board.

TRADE! Round 1, pick No. 25: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Patriots get first-round pick (No. 25)
Houston Texans get second-round pick (No. 38) and third-round pick (No. 77)

If the Patriots fail to land a playmaking receiver in free agency, they should seriously consider trading up for one in the draft. In this mock projection, they move back up later in the first round to snag Texas' Matthew Golden.

The speedy wideout would be a game-changer on the outside for a Patriots offense that has struggled to find consistent production on vertical routes. Golden would finally give them the home run threat they've been waiting for on offense.

Round 3, pick No. 69: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

Ozzy Trapilo being chosen as the future franchise left tackle for the Patriots would be a feel-good story considering the Boston College connection. He's a massive human being with solid technique in pass protection, which would prove useful right out of the gates.

It doesn't matter who fills the wide receiver position if the Patriots fail to protect quarterback Drake Maye in the pocket. They finally get some help in the form of the 6-foot-8, 316-pound Trapilo.

Round 4, pick No. 106: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

This is too good of a tight end class for the Patriots to come away empty-handed. Harold Fannin Jr. plays like a wide receiver in a tight end's body. He's a reliable pass-catcher with exceptional YAC potential with the ball in his hands.

The Patriots need to address tight end at some point with two aging players as the top two options on their depth chart. Fannin could serve as an offensive weapon for Drake Maye right out of the gates.

Round 5, pick No. 144: Luke Kandra, G, Cincinnati

If Cole Strange moves to center, the Patriots could have a void at the guard position. There's hope that Layden Robinson will develop into a solid guard option, but there's nothing wrong with adding more depth for insurance.

Luke Kandra is one of the best guards in this draft, and he'd make for a solid rotational piece along the offensive front. He's a powerful blocker who moves around lighter on his feet than expected for a 6-foot-5 and 319-pound athlete.

Round 7, pick No. 217: Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia

A team can never have too many good offensive linemen.

Georgia's Dylan Fairchild managed to slip down the board, and the Patriots swoop in the seventh round to take the former standout wrestler. Strong wrestling backgrounds tend to translate well for offensive linemen, and Fairchild has been no different.

He has a powerful posture with exceptional bend and balance in the trenches. Few athletes understand body leverage and control as well as wrestlers. The Patriots need to improve up front, and they also need a deeper pipeline of talent to make up for unforeseen injuries.

They can start with Fairchild and Luke Kandra.

Round 7, pick No. 220: Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida

Jason Marshall Jr. has the prototypical size and length that Mike Vrabel covets at the cornerback position. He also has experience going against stiff competition in the SEC which should prepare him for playing at the next level.

The Patriots are already locked in with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis as their top corners, but Marshall could make for a solid rotational or depth piece for emergency situations.

Round 7, pick No. 238: Ja'Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville

Louisville's Ja'Corey Brooks is one of the more interesting wide receiver prospects projected to go late in the draft. The 6-foot-2 and 184-pound wideout has the ability to stretch the field and win in contested jump-ball situations.

He's still green in some areas, particularly in the nuances of footwork and consistency as a pass-catcher, but he's a worthy flier for a struggling Patriots offense that shouldn't hesitate at throwing another dart at the wide receiver position.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 7-round mock draft: Patriots trade for two firsts post-free agency

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