New England added three players on Friday.
Following the selection of LSU’s Will Campbell in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots continued to bolster their offense around quarterback Drake Maye on Friday night.
The key area of focus: adding speed.
“Definitely an emphasis [to get faster],” Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said. “All four of the guys we picked can run… I think their play speed is really what stands out about [the offensive skill players] too.”
In order to do add the element, New England’s first two choices came in the form of explosive weapons. Despite offers to trade down, the Patriots stayed put at No. 38 and selected running back TreVeyon Henderson first off. Running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Henderson brings big time home-run speed to the backfield while adding an element to their passing game.
“Extremely productive player, extremely good speed, pass protection, pass game,” Wolf said. “Although he’s a little bit undersized, we view him as a three-down back, just a really good compliment. He’s he’s a threat with the ball in his hands with the speed to take it the distance any time he touches the ball.”
Wide receiver Kyle Williams was the second weapon then added to the offense. The receiver, who clocked a 4.40-second 40, was coming off a 1,000-yard season at Washington State and was on the Patriots radar as they held him for a pre-draft 30 visit.
“Fast, can play outside and inside, really good with the ball in his hands. For an undersized guy, he’s really tough,” Wolf said. “He doesn’t shy away from anything, he can block, and just, you know, had the opportunity to visit with him on his 30 visit here, and he really has a great personality, and we’re excited about what he’s going to add to the room from that perspective.”
After a pair of trade downs, New England then shifted the focus back to the offensive line by selecting center Jared Wilson. Viewed as the best pure center in the draft, Wilson clocked the fastest 40-yard dash among centers at the Combine while also reaching a top speed of 21.04 MPH.
“Just a young, athletic offensive lineman,” Wolf said. “Has center-guard flex. Didn’t give up a sack all year this year. And his athletic ability is really what stands out about him.”
According to Wolf, all three additions will have the ability to compete for starting jobs out of the gate under head coach Mike Vrabel, who also added three more strong culture fits to his locker room this weekend.
With the focus now shifting to day three — where New England currently holds six selection — the focus may also shift to the defensive side of the football.
“Obviously helped the offense out,” Wolf said. “As we move forward here, certainly going to look to address the defense.”