Chris Mason: One and only 7-round Patriots mock draft (2025)

In the era of a million mock drafts, this is the one Patriots mock to rule them all.

After moving to a new role as MassLive’s sports enterprise reporter this spring, I’ve spent less time researching the 2025 NFL Draft than any of my five previous seasons as a Patriots beat writer. Safe to say overthinking won’t be a problem this year.

Still, I made the trek down to Gillette to listen to Mike Vrabel and have since done my homework. This will be my lone mock and there are no trades. No funny business. Just good clean mock draft fun.

So how will draft night(s) play out for Vrabel’s team?

Let’s get to it and find out:

First round, pick 4:

Will Campbell, OT (OG?), LSU, 6-5, 319 pounds

Life would be so much easier if the Patriots had simply lost the season finale against the Buffalo Bills, who were also actively trying to lose. Alas, the 2024 Patriots couldn’t even tank correctly and will have to wait until No. 4 overall accordingly.

With Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter off the board, the Patriots opt for Campbell here. He may be a fine tackle for many years to come, but could also wind up kicking inside to guard. That’s quite a gamble at No. 4 overall, but it’s one the Patriots are left taking. Whether tackle or guard, Campbell is a really good football player who will help fortify a unit that needs all the help it can get.

Second round, pick 38:

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU, 6-5, 246 pounds

Vrabel’s first draft at the helm starts with back-to-back Bayou products. The Patriots need to get younger at tight end — Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper both turn 31 this season — and 20-year-old Taylor certainly checks that box.

The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason Taylor had 55 catches for 546 yards at LSU last season with just one drop, the most single season receptions for a tight end in the school’s history. Taylor still has some growing to do, but could be one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets for years to come.

Third round, pick 69:

Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College, 6-8, 316 pounds

As they continue to overhaul the offensive line, Vrabel opts for familiar face in the third round. Trapilo is a Norwell native that spent five years at Boston College, starting seasons at both left and right tackle. He played under Bill O’Brien in 2024 — a close friend of Vrabel’s — and trained with legendary Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia this offseason.

Third round, pick 77:

Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State, 6-3, 305 pounds

The fortification of the trenches continues with Farmer’s selection in the third round. A two-year starter at Florida State, Farmer had 11 sacks as an interior defensive tackle and was disruptive in the running game. He visited New England already on a Top 30 visit and could prove valuable on a rookie deal, as fellow defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Milton Williams are two of the highest-paid players on the roster.

Fourth round, pick 106:

Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia, 5-8, 198 pounds

With Josh McDaniels’ return comes the return of a third-down back in New England’s offense. Etienne — the younger brother of Travis Etienne — fits that bill. He caught 32 passes last season at Georgia and 21 the season before with Florida.

Etienne also returned kickoffs with the Gators, which could prove helpful in New England. The Patriots finished 28th in the league last season (25.5 yards per return) and didn’t break one for more than 50 yards.

Fifth round, pick 144:

Maxen Hook, S, Toledo, 6-0, 201 pounds

A four-year starter at Toledo, Hook was a two-time team captain and earned three straight First Team All-MAC selections. With Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger both 29, it’d be wise to cultivate depth behind them. Hook is likely to make an immediate impact as a special teamer and feels like a strong culture fit for the locker room Vrabel is trying to build.

“Tremendous kid, tremendous leader,” Toledo coach Jason Candle told The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.

Fifth round, pick 171:

Tonka Hemingway, DL, South Carolina, 6-2, 284 pounds

In addition to having an incredible name, Hemingway was pretty productive at South Carolina, registering 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. A three-year starter, Hemingway could wind up as an edge player in the NFL given his size. His athleticism stands out — he was an All-State basketball player in high school — and he could be disruptive in Terrell Williams’ new scheme.

Seventh round, pick 220:

Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers, 5-11, 175 pounds

In an ode to Bill Belichick, Vrabel opts for a defensive back from Rutgers. Longerbeam is undersized and more of a long-term project, but with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones already on the depth chart, the 175-pounder should have plenty of time for seasoning. He was “considered a ‘culture’ player” at Rutgers, according to NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein.

Seventh round, pick 238:

Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State, 5-11, 194 pounds

With John Parker Romo as the only kicker on the roster at the moment, the Patriots add some new blood here in the seventh round. Fitzgerald was perfect at Florida State in 2024, going 13-for-13 on field goals, including five from 50-plus yards. His long in college was 59 yards and 34 of his 42 kickoffs went for touchbacks as a senior.