7-round mock draft 1.0: Patriots beef up trenches after first-round trade

The Patriots are focused on getting better along the offensive and defensive lines in this draft.

While the matchup for Super Bowl LIX is set, the New England Patriots remain in full rebuild mode. They replaced their head coach, hired new coordinators, and will see significant roster turnover over the coming months in hopes of rightening the ship again.

One major part of that process will be the draft, where New England currently holds the fourth overall pick. How will Mike Vrabel and company use it, though? Let’s find out in the first seven-round mock draft of the offseason.

Round 1

TRADE: Patriots trade 1-4 and 3-77 to Las Vegas Raiders for 1-6, 2-54, and a 2026 2nd: After both Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are taken in the top 3 in this scenario, the Patriots help the Raiders get their QB, while move moving back and picking up some extra draft capital this year and next year. They still get a player that they feel very good about.

1-6 DT Mason Graham (Michigan): The Patriots have a needs all over their roster, but defensive line might not seem like the biggest at first glance. However, I would argue that the biggest need is adding blue chip players any way possible. Graham has the potential to be one of those right away.

The Michigan product can get to the quarterback from the inside, but is also stout enough to be a solid run defender as well. As we have seen in these playoffs, running the ball and being able to stop the run are important, as is being able to attack the passer from different angles — two things Graham is capable of doing.

Additionally, if Christian Barmore and Keion White can come back healthy and continue to improve, the Patriots could be looking at their D-line become a real strength for their team — something it was not in 2024.

At the end of the day, the Patriots become a better defense and a better team overall by drafting Graham, whether it’s at a true position of need or not. That’s all that matters.

Round 2

2-38 OT Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota): The Patriots are in desperate need of tackle help. The problem at the top of the draft, however, is that the size of some of the top prospects is a legitimate concern. Ersery, on the other hand, does not have that problem.

At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he’s a physically-imposing player with the length and athleticism to be a Day 1 starting tackle at the pro level. He also did a nice job of reading stunts at Minnesota, which is something the Patriots really struggled on last season. He does have some concerns about how tall he plays and also his overall athleticism — although I think it’s more than adequate — but that’s why he’s being taken at the top of the second round instead of the first.

With a huge need at tackle, Ersery would be a great pick for the Patriots at No. 38 overall.

2-54: CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky): The Patriots still need more depth at the cornerback position, and have been searching for a starter to put across Christian Gonzalez. With the pick acquired from the Raiders in the aforementioned trade-down from No. 4, they take a swing at that with Hairston.

The Kentucky product is an opportunistic player, who loves to play the ball and performs well in press coverage. Ultimately, his speed is only above average and his tackling and footwork aren’t always consistent, which is why he’s available in this spot. He could develop into a solid No. 2, though, and therefore really solidify the New England secondary.

Round 3

3-69 WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State): When Mike Vrabel was introduced as head coach, he discussed the type of pass catchers that he would be looking for. It almost sounded like he was talking about Higgins.

Standing at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Higgins wins consistently on jump balls. He is an above average route runner with a very good feel for zone coverage. He might not have the high-end athleticism that some teams covet, but if he can get open and catch the football — especially deep in the red zone (he had 13 touchdowns this season) — he could be a valuable weapon for a Patriots team in need of them.

Round 4

4-104 LB Carson Schwesinger (UCLA): The Patriots’ linebacker corps was one of the weakest positions on the team last year, and they are in desperate need of playmakers at the second level of their defense. Schwesinger might be able to provide that.

He is a new-age linebacker who can run sideline to sideline, but also trigger downhill to stop the run. He’s a little undersized, and may struggle getting off of blocks, but I’ll take that risk to get an athletic playmaker at a position of need.

Round 5

5-143: EDGE Antwuan Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech): The Patriots had an anemic pass rush last season and need players that can get after the quarterback. With 24 sacks in the last two seasons, Powell-Ryland has certainly shown the ability to do just that.

He has solid explosiveness off the line, and offers a decent set of moves to get by offensive linemen. He is a little shaky against the run, and can be fooled by option plays in the backfield, but the pass rushing upside is solid with him. He could become a spot contributor early, and help bolster the edge depth alongside Anfernee Jennings

Round 7

7-217: OL Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College): Trapilo is BC royalty, with his father Steve playing with Doug Flutie in the 80s and then spending time with the New Orleans Saints and a camp with the New England Patriots in the NFL.

Ozzy has the size to be a tackle, but there is a question of whether or not he has the athleticism to play the position in the pros. He is, however, a mauler in the run game and could give the Patriots depth at both tackle and guard right away.

7-220: DL Darius Alexander (Toledo): Did I mention that the Patriots really want to improve the depth along their offensive and defensive lines? They go after another D-linemen in the seventh round with Alexander out of Toledo.

He is mostly an inside player, but was also clocked at 20 mph, so he could have some position versatility on the outside with his athleticism. Alexander racked up 81 pressures over the last two seasons, and would give the Patriots another pass rushing option to integrate into the mix.

7-238: S Rayuan Lane (Navy): What better way to finish off this mock draft then with a safety from Navy with the last name Lane? He isn’t the biggest guy, but he brings a lot of turnover production and position flexibility. He looks like a player that should be able to contribute on special teams right away, while he works to refine his defensive skills.

When you’re drafting in the seventh round, those are exactly the kind of guys that you’re looking for.