The New England Patriots need a shot in the arm on the offensive side of the ball, and they could very well get there by making the right moves in free agency and the 2025 NFL draft.
Good offensive linemen are a rare commodity in the NFL, which is something the Patriots found out the hard way in 2024. They need to do a better job of rounding out their depth in free agency, while also eyeing a top left tackle in the draft. Teams aren’t going to just fork over their top left tackle in a trade. So the Patriots need to be aggressive when it comes to addressing the position in the draft.
They also need to be aggressive at adding receiving weapons around burgeoning star quarterback Drake Maye. An easy option should be shelling out the money necessary to sign disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in free agency.
But they can’t stop there.
They could add another receiver through free agency or a trade—or wait until the draft to make an early splash at the top of the board. Here is a blockbuster trade-up scenario for the Patriots in the 2025 NFL draft:
Round 1, No. 4: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
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The Patriots could snag LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell with this pick, but instead, they choose to make another splash at receiver by selecting Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 4 overall pick. Keep in mind, this is going with the assumption that the team landed Tee Higgins in free agency as well.
So Maye’s new receiving corps could be Higgins, McMillan and Demario Douglas. That’s a solid receiving lineup that should give Drake Maye a legitimate shot at competing at a high level every week. McMillan is a tall and talented boundary wideout with the sort of elite receiving traits rarely seen in New England.
TRADE!
This draft isn’t as loaded with talent as it was last year, which means there might not be as many teams willing to move up the board. That could work out in the Patriots’ favor with plenty of teams likely looking to move down to accumulate more picks.
The Patriots got their big-time receiving target with Tet McMillan, and now, they go big-game hunting for a new offensive tackle. It all starts with one top prospect slipping down the board, and New England trading up to No. 13 with the Dallas Cowboys to grab him.
Round 1, No. 13: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
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The Patriots finally come away with a new franchise left tackle to help protect Drake Maye’s blindside. Even with all of the Will Campbell love, Banks might be the best tackle on the draft board. He’s a powerful blocker with the desired length and size to find long-term success at the next level.
This pick would completely reshape the Patriots offensive line. Caedan Wallace could move to his more natural position at right tackle, while Mike Onwenu could kick back inside at guard. David Andrews would be back, and the team could make a decision between Cole Strange or Layden Robinson at left guard.
Round 3, No. 68: G Tate Ratledge, Georgia
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The urgency to get things right on the offensive side of the ball continues with the Patriots adding Georgia guard Tate Ratledge in the third round. There’s a chance he could go much sooner than this pick, but in this simulation, the value for such a talented player was a no-brainer.
Cole Strange hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and the jury is still out on what Layden Robinson is going to be. Ratledge is a high-motor player with a proven track record of success against some of the best defensive tackles in the country.
Round 3, No. 83: EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
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Yes, the Patriots should keep the focus on the offense, but they can’t afford to neglect the defense in the offseason. The unit that was once considered one of the best in the league has fallen off a cliff since former coach Bill Belichick made his grand exit.
They’ve especially struggled in putting consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Cue the standout athletic edge rusher from Michigan, Josaiah Stewart. He’s an explosive playmaker capable of putting offensive tackles on skates and giving opponents another player to fear when facing the Patriots.
