The New England Patriots need a shot in the arm on the offensive side of the ball, and they could very well get that if they make the right moves in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Good offensive linemen are a rare commodity in the NFL, something the Patriots found out the hard way in 2024. They need to better round out their depth in free agency while also keeping an eye on a top left tackle in the draft. Teams won't just give up their top left tackle in a trade. So the Patriots need to be aggressive when it comes to tackling the position in the draft.
They also need to be aggressive in adding receiving weapons to rising star quarterback Drake Maye. An easy option would be to spend the money necessary to sign disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins as a free agent.
But they can't stop there.
They could add another receiver via free agency or a trade — or wait until the draft to make an early splash at the top of the board. Here's a blockbuster trade-up scenario for the Patriots in the 2025 nfl Draft:
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With this pick, the Patriots could snag LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, but instead they opt to make another splash at receiver by selecting Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 4 overall pick. Keep in mind that this comes with the assumption that the team also acquired Tee Higgins in free agency.
So Maye's new receiving corps could be Higgins, McMillan and Demario Douglas. This is a solid lineup that should give Drake Maye a legitimate chance to compete at a high level every week. McMillan is a tall and talented frontiersman with qualities rarely found in New England.
This draft isn't as full of talent as last year, meaning there may not be as many teams willing to move up the standings. That could work in the Patriots' favor, as many teams are likely looking to trade down to accumulate more picks.
The Patriots hit their big receiving target in Tet McMillan, and now they're looking for a new offensive tackle. It all starts when a top prospect falls off the list and New England moves up to No. 13 with the Dallas Cowboys to get him.
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The Patriots finally get away with a new franchise left tackle to protect Drake Mayes' blind side. Despite all the love for Will Campbell, Banks might be the best tackle on the draft board. He is a powerful blocker with the length and size needed to have long-term success at the next level.
This pick would completely transform the Patriots offensive line. Caedan Wallace was able to move into his more natural position at right tackle, while Mike Onwenu was able to move back inside at fullback. David Andrews would be back and the team could make a decision between Cole Strange or Layden Robinson at left guard.
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The urgency to get things right on offense remains as the Patriots sign Georgia guard Tate Ratledge in the third round. There's a chance he could leave much sooner than this pick, but in this simulation the value for such a talented player was clear.
Cole Strange hasn't been able to stay healthy and the jury is still out on Layden Robinson. Ratledge is a high-motor player with a proven track record against some of the best defensive players in the country.
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Yes, the Patriots should continue to focus on offense, but they can't afford to neglect defense in the offseason. The unit, once considered one of the league's best, has fallen off a cliff since the major departure of former coach Bill Belichick.
They found it particularly difficult to put the opposing quarterbacks under sustained pressure. Name Michigan standout athletic edge rusher Josaiah Stewart. He is an explosive playmaker, capable of putting offensive tackles on skates and giving his opponents another player to scare in the game against the Patriots.
