7-round mock draft 2.0: Patriots trade back into first round for receiver help

The Patriots add multiple Buckeyes in this mock draft, including at the end of Round 1.

In my first mock draft, I explored what the New England Patriots could do if pass rusher Abdul Carter were to fall to them at pick No. 4. In this one, I will take a look at how things could pan out if he and Colorado’s Travis Hunter are both gone once the Patriots are on the clock.

Round 1

1-4: OL Will Campbell (LSU): Does the LSU offensive linemen have what it takes to play tackle at a high level in the NFL? I remain uncertain. But the Patriots enter the 2025 offseason with only one quality starter on the line, Michael Onwenu at RG. That leaves both spots on the left side, plus right tackle, available for Campbell to potentially slot into.

Campbell is the best offensive line prospect in this draft, and there’s a real possibility he’s the best player on the board when the Patriots are on the clock. While his exact positional fit may be uncertain at this point, he found success against some of the best talent in college football from a young age. Campbell has a nasty streak in the run game and has allowed just four sacks across three full seasons since becoming the starting left tackle as a true freshman for the Tigers.

TRADE: New England trades 2-38 and 3-77 to Baltimore Ravens for 1-27

1-27: WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State): You won’t find a more pro-ready wide receiver in this class than Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka. The senior wide receiver is a polished route runner and red zone threat who just knows how to make plays. Egbuka has a pair of 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown receiving seasons under his belt despite playing behind Marvin Harrison Jr. for two years and top freshman Jeremiah Smith this past season.

Egbuka is a tough football player who is not afraid to do the dirty work in an offense, and he comes from a winning culture at Ohio State, Mike Vrabel’s alma mater. He’s also been remarkably productive, averaging over two yards per route run in all three seasons as a starter. In New England, he’d project into a role similar to the one Ja’Lynn Polk was expected to fill.

Round 3

3-69: ED Josaiah Stewart (Michigan): The Patriots had the worst pass rush in the NFL last season, and this selection is made with fixing that in mind. Stewart played at Michigan the last two years after transferring from Coastal Carolina, winning a national championship in 2023 with a sack against Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

While Stewart is undersized at just 245 pounds and with shorter arms, he has a strong track record of production with 30 career sacks, including 14 over two seasons with Michigan. He has surprising strength for his small frame, and Vrabel has been willing to worked with smaller pass rushers before. Stewart had 37 pressures in 2024 and registered a 92.3 pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus.

Round 4

4-105: WR Ricky White (UNLV): I’ll get the elephant out of the room first. Yes, I’m mocking a receiver to the Patriots with almost identical measurables to Tyquan Thornton. But make no mistake, Ricky White is a very different player.

White is a fifth-year wideout who has been highly productive over the past two seasons for UNLV with over 2,500 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. He has a nimble lower body and great speed to pull away from defenders.

It is clear the Patriots need more speed at receiver, and adding White allows them to add that in a player with functional speed and athleticism and a history of production.

Round 5

5-145: DL J.J. Pegues (Ole Miss): Pegues is one of the most fun prospects in this year’s class. As a run-stuffing defensive lineman, he has been productive in his three seasons at Ole Miss. The fifth-year tackle has 58 run stops with the Rebels, including 22 in 2024. That would give him an immediate role in bolstering New England’s defensive front that had issues against the run last season.

What makes Pegues stand out is one number: 7. That’s the number of rushing touchdowns he had last year.

Yes, you read that correctly. Rushing.

Pegues came to college as a tight end before switching to defensive line in his second year. However, Ole Miss used his skill with the football and size as a goal line threat. He had 21 carries for 7 scores and 18 first downs. That’s the kind of bully ball Mike Vrabel can get behind.

Round 7

7-219: LB Cody Simon (Ohio State): Mike Vrabel is going back to his alma mater, this time for defense. Simon was the defensive MVP of the national championship game with 8 tackles, one for a loss.

While he is a bit undersized, Simon is excellent at reading opposing offenses and rallying to the ball. He led Ohio State with 112 tackles in 2024 and added 7 sacks as well. Simon is a do-it-all player at the second level of the defense.

7-222: RB Jordan James (Oregon): Last year, Oregon running back Bucky Irving burst onto the scene. According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, James is the better prospect.

After spending two seasons behind Irving, James took over as the top back this season with great success. He picked up 1,267 yards on the ground as a physical, balanced runner, and added 15 touchdowns.

7-239: OL Jonah Monheim (USC): In five years with the Trojans, Monheim has spent time at every spot on the line except left guard. He spent his first three seasons primarily on the right side, eventually playing over 1,000 snaps between right guard and right tackle in 2022 without allowing a sack.

Monheim was moved to left tackle in 2023 where he allowed just two sacks and boasted a career-high 87.8 pass block grade. USC kicked him inside to center in 2024, and he responded by allowing his fewest pressures since becoming a starter.

Monheim may not have the length to play tackle in the NFL, but his versatility and experience should make him an instant improvement to New England’s depth.