The New England Patriots are currently undergoing a rebuild, making it crucial to focus on acquiring talented football players. As the 2024 season nears, ESPN’s Field Yates has published a mock draft predicting that the Patriots will secure the number one overall pick and then trade down to the sixth spot. Yates envisions them selecting Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
Johnson is widely considered the top cornerback in the country and is expected to be a top ten pick. However, New England is in dire need of help at the offensive tackle position. The question arises whether the Patriots would postpone addressing the left tackle position for another year to draft a standout player like Johnson.
In the 2023 draft, New England chose cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the first round, who showed promise as a top-tier corner before his injury. With Gonzalez expected to return in 2024 at full strength, the Patriots might already have their top cornerback. This raises the question of whether they would use another high draft pick on the same position. While the idea of having Gonzalez and Johnson as the starting cornerbacks is tempting in a competitive AFC East, the pressing need remains for an offensive tackle.
Looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, LSU’s Will Campbell is projected to be a top offensive tackle prospect. The Patriots’ offensive line has struggled for several seasons, and many fans would be disappointed if the team chose another defensive player over a potential star left tackle. After using the third overall pick in 2024 to select a potential franchise quarterback, addressing his protection and surrounding him with talent should be the top priority in the 2025 draft.
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