We made it. It's finally draft week. We can finally get through this week, the Patriots will have their team and then we can start seeing all the results from the offseason on the field.
To get things kicked off, I did my first seven-round mock draft for the Patriots. I will likely do another one on draft day with a first-round mock. I did zero trades in this mock draft. Just picked in the spots.
By the way, I had a dickens of a time finding a decent mock draft site where it would start off with chalk: Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. If anyone has a site they really like, please drop it into the comments.
Let's get into the picks:
First round, 4th overall
The pick: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Let me correct this for you, Eliot Wolf: "Will Campbell is not the hero Patriots fans deserve, but he is the hero they need."
You can complain all you want about how you should only be drafting franchise tackles up this high, and certainly not a player who might ultimately slide into guard. That is the correct thinking in most drafts. This is not most drafts. But you don't get to pick the draft. The draft picks you. This is the 2025 draft, and the Patriots have to deal with what is on the table in front of them. And thanks to Bill Belichick's neglect and Eliot Wolf being late on the tackle runs last year, the Patriots are beyond desperate at left tackle. It's the one position on the entire roster where you're not sure whether they can line up tomorrow and staff the position with a true NFL starter.
To me, this isn't complicated. All of the top tackle prospects in this draft are not sure things. I like a lot of them, but I wouldn't stand on a table for any of them. What I do know is Campbell is very experienced, he's smart and tough as hell, has elite agility, he's a future captain and - most importantly - he makes the Patriots a better team on his first day. I don't care if he's ultimately a guard. If third-round pick Brandon Coleman could play LT for the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game (and get kicked into guard for the upcoming season) then Campbell can do that for the Patriots, and probably at a much better level. Campbell at least buys the Patriots some time and gives them a chance to really compete this year.
I've been wishy-washy on Campbell during this, but after talking to a handful of NFL executives, I'm sold. One in particular has a great eye for linemen and "loves" Campbell and said he'll play tackle for 10 years. That's good enough for me. It's time to get a freaking tackle. And I'm not banking on being able to trade up for one if I pass here. Ideally there's a trade down, but I don't see that being an option. Maybe if the Giants pass on Abdul Carter.
Bob McGinn's writeup: 1. WILL CAMPBELL, Louisiana State (6-6, 319, 4.98, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s super talented,” one scout said. “Can do it all. He’s quick, has feet, he’s athletic. His technique’s really good. In the run game, he can position or jolt people. In pass pro, he can mirror. He’ll give up some (pressure) every so often on an inside move mostly. He’s got Pro Bowl talent. His arms are a little short. That’d be the only concern.” Arm (32 5/8 inches) and hand (9 ½ inches) measurements at the combine (regarded as the standard by most teams) were the shortest/smallest among the top tackles. “There’s always exceptions, there’s always outliers,” the scout said.
“When you look at what 32 5/8 is compared to 33, and actually put that on a ruler and look at it, if you’re not going to take a guy who has potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler, then, OK … ” Started all 38 games at left tackle. “He’s good,” said a second scout. “If you want to nitpick, his arms aren’t that long. Great kid. His interview, he sounded like a head coach at a P4 (Power Four) school. It was incredible. One of the best interviews I’ve heard in my life.” Five-star recruit from Monroe, La., where his family operates a farm. “He’s less than a Jonah Williams as a left tackle but as a right tackle he would be a good player,” a third scout said. “He’s built like a guard … and I think that’s where he’s going to end up. You can find plenty of negative reps on this kid. If you want to knock holes in him and not take him you can find whiffs and misses and getting pushed back. They love him at the school and in the interviews so he will win people over with the personality and the desire and all that. But if you take him as a left tackle you’re going to be disappointed. You’ve got to have alternative plans. If you take him as a right tackle or guard then he’ll prove to be a good pick.” Vertical jump was 32 inches, broad jump was 9-5. “Maybe he’s a guard but I still see him as a tackle,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got the feet and the balance. He’s got the ability to play tackle but I want a longer-armed guy. He’ll be a starter, a winner, might make a Pro Bowl a time or two. I don’t think he’s that consistent guy that’s gonna have a 12-year career and is going to seven, eight Pro Bowls. I don’t see that.”
Second round, 38th overall
The pick: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Yup, I double dipped. I don't think he's going to be here, but someone like Josh Conerly, Josh Simmons, Anthony Belton or Ozzy Trapilo could be available and you can just plug one of those names in.
When you have a 34-year-old RT in Morgan Moses, you really don't have a right tackle beyond this season, if you're lucky.
This pick covers me in a few ways. Ideally, I've just drafted bookend tackles for the next 10 years. But also, let's say the Patriots get through camp and they decide to go with the best five. It could be LT Ersery, LG Campbell, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Morgan Moses. Do I care that the guy I drafted at 4 is now a guard and the guy at 38 is better? HELL NO. I just built a really good offensive line that also has a lot of versatility in case of injury. Ersery could play either tackle spot. Campbell can play both tackle spots and both guards.
Bottom line: In just about every way, the Patriots' biggest weakness has gone to a strength.
Bob McGinn's writeup: 4. AIREONTAE ERSERY, Minnesota (6-6, 331, 5.06, 1-2): Started his final 38 games at left tackle before opting out of the Golden Gophers’ bowl game. “I was completely shocked by this guy,” said one scout. “He’s gigantic but he can play. He’s a little high-hipped and stiff-hipped but he’s got feet and excellent balance. He’s really smart … the technique’s there. Uses his hands excellent. Run game, he’s so damn big and he can position and really just move it. In pass pro he knows he’s big and uses his length perfectly. I compared him to Orlando Brown, another big guy, but this guy is better. He’s a better athlete. There will be a lot of talk about putting him at right (tackle) but I’d put him at left.” Didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school. “Big, long, athletic,” said a second scout. “Fluid in space. Liked him better in run than pass. He can improve in the pass game just working on his technique and consistency and not giving up the edge a little bit.” Started his only game played in 2020, redshirted in 2021 and started at left tackle for three years. “Had a good week at the Senior Bowl,” a third scout said. “Excellent knee bend and foot quickness in his pass set. Good extension to get his hands inside and control. Had a really good game against Iowa. Showed ability to anchor with power and can move defenders in the run game. He can get a little lackadaisical at times with his techniques, steps and pad level. He didn’t have a ton of high-school experience and didn’t play at a really good high-school program. He came in there kind of raw and had to learn. He’s a better athlete than (Daniel) Faalele. This kid’s going to be a starting left tackle.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were just 9 ½. “We were concerned about laziness, lack of discipline and for the process,” said a fourth scout. “That’s bad, especially for an offensive lineman. But he’s an easy mover, light on his feet, pretty good space player for a big guy. You question his awareness a little bit. He’s head and shoulders above Banks and (Josh) Conerly on pure talent.” From Kansas City. “I wouldn’t say he’s had a checkered past but he’s had some little character things,” one scout said. “I believe in him. I’ll say this. I don’t think the character things will hurt his draft spot.” Added a fifth scout: “He’s very stiff. If he’s in the first (round) he’ll be the 30th pick as a right tackle.”
Third round, 69th overall
The pick: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Another player I don't think will last this long but I was ecstatic - and not just because I would have a chance to cover father and son. Loved Taylor at the Senior Bowl. LSU didn't use him right (not much down the field) and his best ball is very much in front of him. Giving a year-plus with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper would be great. Taylor can do it all and develop into a very good tight end.
Bob McGinn's writeup: 4. MASON TAYLOR, Louisiana State (6-5, 252, no 40, 1-2): Rewrote the LSU record book for tight ends as a three-year starter. “He’s a smooth-moving athlete,” one scout said. “He’s quick in his routes. Excellent feel. He’s a big guy that uses his size. Natural hands catcher. Run after the catch, he’s pretty tough. He’ll work as a blocker. He’ll keep getting better. I don’t think they (the Tigers) used him (enough). He should have been more productive but their offense was kind of a mess. He’s going to be really good.” Starting 37 of 38 games, he finished with 129 receptions for 1,308 (10.1) and a mere six TDs. “He’s a real good player, a starting player in the league,” said a second scout. “I just don’t see the blocker. He probably doesn’t play a gritty, tough, physical game. I think he sees himself as a little bit more of a finesse player. He is smooth. He gets open. He’s good after the catch. He’s an athlete.” His father, Jason, made the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a 15-year career as a defensive end in which he registered 139 ½ sacks. At the 1997 combine, Jason (6-6, 243) ran 4.67 and scored 32 on the Wonderlic test. The Dolphins drafted him in the third round out of Akron. “I scouted his daddy,” said a third scout. “He was a tall, lanky, skinny kid. Never thought he’d turn out to be as good as he was. This kid is built like his dad. Long, lean. Great kid. No problems with him. I’m sure the dad has been teaching him how to do it. He’s followed his dad’s footsteps.” Jason married the sister of Zach Thomas, the Dolphins’ 5-11 Hall of Fame inside linebacker. “He’s got Jason Taylor’s frame but Zach’s length,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got 32-inch arms but he will compete as a blocker. He’s a very good, dependable receiver. You’ll scheme him open and he’ll catch a ball in the flat and get 15 yards. He’s trustworthy. During the season, you’d have thought he was a third-rounder. But now, after you squeeze the draft, he’s probably a solid second-rounder.” From Plantation, Fla.
Third round, 77th overall
The pick: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Once again, a player I didn't expect to be there but I'm pouncing. The evaluations are all over the place on Williams. Chris Simms loves him and thinks he could go in the first round. McGinn doesn't even have him listed. What I see is explosiveness and he's great at getting off the ball. He could be a steal if he lasts this long.
OurLads.com writeup:
7.58 Williams, Kyle | Washington State | Hawthorne, CA | Proj Rd: 2–3 Height: 5105 | Weight: 190 | 40: 4.4 | Arm: 3018 | Hand: 0868 | Wingspan: 7300
Five-year starter. Spent three years at UNLV prior to transferring to Washington State in 2023. Never had a shortage of big plays which made him highly sought after in the transfer portal in 2023. After just two seasons at Washington State, he made his mark on the program’s career and single season record books. He may measure in like a traditional slot, but primarily lined up on the outside. His quick speed and ball tracking suit him well but he can offer alignment versatility. He is a playmaker who can create something out of nothing and outrun angles of pursuing defenders. Get-off puts pressure on defensive backs. Reaches his top speed in an instant and has several examples of growing vertical separation. Tracks the ball over his shoulder with balance and boundary-awareness. Does not waste time post-catch. Gets north in a hurry and creates from scratch. Makes plays with speed, toughness, and physical nature. Lacks the radius that can get covered up in traffic. Too many focus drops and has small hands. Needs to tighten up his movement at the top of the route and catch point. Will need to smooth some of the rough edges to his skill set, but his explosive potential is hard to ignore and proven with different systems and quarterbacks. 2024 Stats: 70-1198, 17.1 ypr, 14 TD. OSR:27/42. VJ-36.5.
Fourth round, 106th overall
The pick: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
Absolutely loved this player at the Senior Bowl. Small, explosive. The Pats' new pass back with taking-it-to-the-house ability.
McGinn's writeup: RJ Harvey, Central Florida (5-8, 205, 4.40). Said one scout: “Kind of a poor man’s Bucky Irving. Kind of built the same way. Really like his demeanor. Compact guy. He’s shown he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’ll be a solid, efficient, productive No. 2 back that can ascend into a heavier role with more experience.”
OurLads: 7.37 Harvey, RJ | Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Proj Rd: 3–4
Height: 5080 | Weight: 205 | 40: 4.4 | Arm: 2900 | Hand: 0900 | Wingspan: 7128
Two-year starter. Two-time All-Big 12, first team in 2024 after leading the conference in regular season rushing yards. Left Central Florida number two on the program’s list in both career and single season yards on the ground. The high school quarterback began his career at Virginia where he redshirted in 2019. He missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL suffered in preseason camp. His movement traits and vision will create production on their own. Add in the speed and his receiver-caliber hands, he will be useful in multiple areas of the offense. The quick burst and low-to- ground running style is the type of trait combination that can create a yard if he is given an inch, and ten yards if he is given one. He may not be complete enough to be a top back for a team, but as a complementary piece his value can be the difference maker an offense needs. Well-built lower half that can hide the sheer size shortcoming. Quick in a phone booth with the burst to create sudden separation from defenders. Has the final gear to get away from real NFL speed. Rarely gets caught from behind. Tough and hard-nosed. Can put his head down and fall forward. Excellent hands that get to the ball away from his frame and is lethal in space after the catch. Does not have enough power to push piles inside. Will get too dance-happy at times. Needs more urgency running north/ south. A below average blocker who is both ineffective and shows questionable desire. Older than the average prospect. 2024 Stats: 1577 yds, 6.8 ypc, 22 TD, 20 rec, 267 yds, 13.4 ypr, 3 TD. OSR:7/27. BP-16, SS-4.34
Fifth round, 144th overall
The pick: JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
Couldn't pass on the value here. This is some kind of an athlete and would be a perfect rotation guy inside to up the compete level.
OurLads: 7.67 Pegues, JJ | Mississippi | Oxford, MS | Proj Rd: 2–3
Height: 6024 | Weight: 309 | 40: 5.16 | Arm: 3248 | Hand: 0938 | Wingspan: 7928
Two year starter. Third team All-SEC in 2024. Transferred from Auburn in 2022 after seeing significant rotational reps in two seasons. Started his career as a tight end at Auburn and has been used as a fullback and wildcat at Mississippi. Was effective converting short yardage plays on direct snaps. Had seven rushing touchdowns and a catch for a touchdown. Compact frame with a thick lower body. Versatile defensive lineman playing a four down to a zero technique. Plays both one and two gap but at his best as a one gap player. Shows a quick get off sinking his hips and popping his hands under blocker’s pads. Can hold the point and stack and shed with power. Solid lateral agility inline he can come off a block and make plays gaps over from his. Flashes a club and swim move to discard blockers while pursuing. Adept at inside gap slants he can create havoc in the backfield. As an inside pass rusher, shows power to knock a blocker back and flashes an arm over move to quickly get free. Shows a surprising burst chasing quarterbacks in the backfield. While he has a high pressure rate, he doesn’t quite have the burst to consistently get to the quarterback. Has some trouble locating the ball as a two gap player. Can get upright and moved out on double teams. Motor can run hot and cold and pursuit on plays away is not always up to speed. Could use more technique in his pass rush plan and is not one to stack moves. If original move stalls, there’s not much in the way of a counter. Still raw but has solid upside and can also impact the game on offense. 2024 Stats: 42 T, 13.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 5 QBH, 7 rushing TD. OSR:33/37. 10-1.75.
Fifth round, 171st overall
The pick: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
This kid would totally fit in that room and a possible future starter while kicking ass on special teams in the meantime.
McGinn: Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota (6-2 ½, 236, 4.73). Said one scout: “Plays with high effort. Quarterbacks the defense. Not real productive in coverage. Like to see more explosion on contact. High character kid. Sleeps, breathes football. (Coach PJ) Fleck told me he’s arguably the best linebacker he’s ever had. He’s a solid player.”
Seventh round, 220th overall
The pick: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
I really wanted Notre Dame's Riley Leonard as a new athletic project, but he was gone. Rourke was the best left on the board and the Pats need a developmental QB who can play if needed.
OurLads: 5.55 Rourke, Kurtis | Indiana | Oakville, Ontario, Canada | Proj Rd: 4–5 Height: 6042 | Weight: 220 | 40: 4.63 | Arm: 3048 | Hand: 0938 | Wingspan: 7518
Five-year starter. Spent four seasons at Ohio prior to transferring to Indiana in 2024 where he earned All-Big 10 honors. Also earned All-MAC honors twice and was the 2022 All-MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He leveled up and maintained his level of play and production seamlessly while leading Indiana to its best season in school history. He did so while playing on a torn ACL. Will bring the kind of leadership and functional intelligence to the group that will raise the floor of the room. Clearly knows how to read a defense and will play within the structure of the offense consistently. Accurate thrower who can put his release on constant repeat. Will throw receivers open. Can see the throwing lanes and aiming spots before they appear. Throws a catchable ball with easy touch and tight spirals. Knows how to get through traffic in the pocket with efficient and flexible footwork. Productive against pressure. Does not have enough zip on his balls that need to travel more than intermediate distance. Passes hang in the air too long. Throwing the ball deep appears labored. Will push and aim rather than drive the ball with his hips. Will not be a dual threat. Will turn 25 as a rookie and lacks upside beyond backup status, but his experience and ball protection do make him attractive as a second stringer. 2024 Stats: 222/320, 3042 yds, 69.4%, 29 TD, 5 INT, 2 rushing TD, 176.0 QB rating.
Seventh round, 238th overall
The pick: Andres Borregales, PK, Miami
Patriots need a new kicker, he's the best one in the class and was still available.
McGinn: 1. ANDRES BORREGALES, Miami (5-11, 202, 6-7): Four-year starter. “If you’re looking for the most consistent field-goal kicker this is probably the guy,” one special-teams coach said.
“He’s 95% (in his career) on what I call clutch kicks. I do not think he’s a great kickoff guy. He has solid enough leg strength but it’s not overwhelming. With the rules changes, the kickoffs aren’t as big a deal as they’ve been in the past. You’ve got to look long and hard for the best field-goal kicker.” Made 18 of 19 in 2024, his 94.7% ranking fourth in the country. Finished his career at 86.1% (74 of 86), which includes 77.4% (24 of 31) from 40 yards and longer. Also made 184 of 185 extra points. “I don’t think he kicks a real high ball,” another coach said. “He hits a low trajectory ball.” His brother, Jose (5-10, 207) kicked for the Hurricanes in 2020, his final year of eligibility. Jose, who made 80.5% in one season at Miami and four at Florida International, spent 2021 on Tampa Bay’s practice squad before being released in 2022. “Jose (was) kicking in the CFL,” said one coach. “This guy (Andy) is better than his brother.” Three-star recruit from Miami. “He’s kind of like his brother,” said one coach. “He (Jose) got a lot of opportunity and was pretty good. He (Andy) is a good college kicker.” Venezuelan American was born in Caracas and immigrated to the U.S. as a toddler.