Grading the Patriots’ picks in the NFL Draft: High marks after years of struggles

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The New England Patriots’ recent struggles in the NFL Draft have been very conspicuous. Bad enough that owner Robert Kraft has called them out as a reason for the team’s lack of wins over the last few years.

But for the first time in a while, the Patriots exit the draft scoring high marks. They entered with a bunch of holes. They leave with a respectable roster and newfound explosiveness on offense to go with a pair of highly drafted linemen to protect quarterback Drake Maye.

Of course, there’s still a long way to go before this means anything. But the early results from the Patriots’ draft class look promising. Here are their grades.

Round 1, No. 4 overall: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Look, we know the pros and cons already. But the reality is that this was just not a great year to have the No. 4 pick. The league viewed prospects 4 through 14 pretty similarly. That’s why no one was willing to trade up for the pick, even though the Pats were interested in moving back.

And while Campbell isn’t in the mold of Joe Alt or Penei Sewell as a prospect, the Patriots filled their biggest need with their first pick. So I can’t knock them much for this one. Campbell made a lot of sense.

Grade: A-

Round 2, No. 38: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Two things can be true with this pick. The first is that this was awfully early to pick a running back in a draft class loaded at the position, especially when you already have two decent options on the roster and a bunch of holes elsewhere. But the second is that Henderson finally brings some big-play potential to a stagnant Patriots offense that’s been so boring to watch.

The biggest quibble is that now the Patriots will have to either shelve Rhamondre Stevenson, a running back they just extended on a lucrative contract, or limit Henderson to a third-down role despite using a second-round pick on him. But there’s no argument about this: Henderson is a good player who will be fun to watch in this offense.

Grade: B-

Round 3, No. 69: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

The Patriots have a logjam of middling receivers on their depth chart and needed someone who can separate. Enter Williams.

Unlike their other wideouts (save for Stefon Diggs), Williams thrives against man coverage and can get off the line of scrimmage with ease. He’s a true deep threat, which the Patriots didn’t have, and is something that often felt like a waste with the big-armed Maye at quarterback.

For several years, the Pats have had a bunch of wide receivers who struggled to get open. Williams should help change that.

Grade: A

Round 3, No. 95: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia

The Pats traded back a couple of times before landing Wilson toward the end of the third round.

He’s a center with massive hands and is extremely athletic for his position. He was only a college starter for one season, but should be a stud on the interior of the O-line for years to come. Plus, he said he has position versatility and could even start at left guard in 2025 before moving to center in 2026.

I love this pick.

Grade: A

Round 4, No. 106: Craig Woodson, S, California

This was the first truly confusing pick. With Henderson, you could nitpick about the need for a running back that early in the draft, but it’s easy to see the explosiveness he brings. But reaching for a versatile safety here who relies on smarts more than traits and has a history of contributing on special teams just felt like … well, a Bill Belichick pick.

By all accounts, Woodson is a really bright football player. But this grade gets knocked a bit because the Pats had much bigger needs than safety, which you could argue has been one of the team’s few strengths in recent years.

Grade: C

Round 4, No. 137: Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State

The Patriots traded up to land the hulking, two-gapping defensive tackle they needed after trading Davon Godchaux.

And there’s a lot to like with Farmer. He’s a good athlete with long arms (35 inches) and comes with enough upside that he could develop into a better pass rusher.

Draft expert Dane Brugler had him as his 76th-ranked prospect, so this is really good value at the end of the fourth round.

Grade: A

Round 5, No. 146: Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU

It took a while, but the Patriots finally addressed their need on the edge. And fortunately for them, Swinson was still available despite being Brugler’s 100th-ranked prospect.

The best part is there’s a natural fit for him on the team. Swinson might develop into more, but he’s best-suited to play a speedy pass rush role as a rookie (similar to what Joshua Uche used to do), and he can rotate with Anfernee Jennings, depending on the situation.

Grade: A

Round 6, No. 182: Andres Borregales, K, Miami

The Patriots badly needed a kicker, and everyone knew they’d pick one late in the draft.

They ended up taking the first kicker overall, going with the top-rated Borregales, who hit a 60-yard attempt during his pro day. Borregales made 18 of 19 field goal tries last season and will be the favorite to win the training camp competition with John Parker Romo.

Grade: B+

Round 7, No. 220: Marcus Bryant, OT, Missouri

I hesitate to give out A’s for seventh-round picks, but this is exactly the kind of late selection I love.

Bryant was the left tackle opposite Armand Membou at Missouri, and while his game certainly needs refining, you take a chance on him because he looks the part and has the athleticism. Bryant is 6-7, 320 pounds, has great explosiveness and long arms and ran a sub-5-second 40.

Seventh-round picks don’t often turn into starters (especially at premium positions), but this is the kind of swing you should take late.

Grade: A

Round 7, No. 251: Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt

Teams usually spend most of the seventh round trying to line up undrafted free agents. And when it doesn’t look like they’ll be able to land one of those players in free agency, sometimes they’ll pivot and just draft them. That’s what happened with Ashby.

Still … is Ashby so much better than any other long snapper that he justified the use of a draft pick? I’m skeptical.

Grade: C

Round 7, No. 257: Kobee Minor, CB, Memphis

The Patriots used the final pick of the draft to make Minor Mr. Irrelevant. He made only nine starts in his four collegiate seasons, and it’s not like his height (5-11) or speed (4.56-second 40) stand out.

But this is the last pick of the draft, and it’s hard to criticize things too much at that point.

Grade: B-

(Photo of Jared Wilson: Dale Zanine / USA Today)

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