There are a half-dozen or so names that are realistic options for the Patriots at No. 4.
And that’s assuming both Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are taken within the first three picks. If either one drops, the Patriots should pounce without hesitation.
If both blue-chip prospects are off the board, the overwhelming favorite for the Patriots to select at No. 4 is LSU tackle Will Campbell.
Given the team’s most pressing need, it makes sense.
But what if the Patriots are just blowing a lot of smoke behind the scenes? What if Campbell is the player they want everyone to believe they’re taking?
That opens the door for someone else. That was my mindset taking a final crack at a Patriots 7-round mock.
Here’s a look:
First round, pick 4:
Jalon Walker, Georgia, OLB, 6-1, 243 pounds
If there’s no Carter, no Hunter, and Campbell is a ruse, then who?
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is a possibility. And if offense is the desire, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren might be the choice. Ditto Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
Me? I like Jalon Walker as the wild card.
From a cultural standpoint, and performance perspective, Walker, who won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker, is Mike Vrabel’s dream choice.
He’s a perfect fit for Vrabel’s defense. He’s versatile enough to be moved around, and he’s an impactful player no matter where he lines up.
This past season, he led Georgia with 10.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks.
If they want to ignore drafting for need, Walker should rise above the rest.
- BETTING: Jalon Walker is +1500 on Caesars to be the fourth overall selection. If you’re new to betting, make sure you check out our Massachusetts beginner’s guide.
Second round, pick 38:
Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, OT, 6-6, 331 pounds
It’s time to press the need button. Drake Maye has to be protected.
Ersery, a three-year starter at left tackle, is a mountain of a man. He’s powerful, and has the prototypical size and length to be very good starting tackle in the league and contend with NFL pass-rushers on the edge.
Ersery earned third-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten OL of the Year honors last season.
During the pre-draft process, he also visited with the Patriots.
Third round, pick 69:
Kyle Williams, Washington State, WR, 5-11, 190 pounds
Williams was Washington’s X-receiver over the last two seasons. And a very good one.
He’s explosive off the line with a dazzling first step. He’s a home run threat every time the ball is in his hands. He’s capable of taking screens and underneath routes the distance.
Williams makes you miss, and gobbles up yards. He gained 590 yards after catch last season.
Overall, he had 70 receptions, 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024. He was fourth in the FBS in receiving touchdowns.
The Patriots had him in for a pre-draft visit. So there’s definitely interest.
Third round, pick 77:
Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College, OT, 6-8, 316 pounds
A second tackle? You bet.
The BC pipeline clicks in here. Trapilo worked with new Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone last year at the Heights.
And of late, he’s been working with former legendary Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. So that’s a double bonus.
At 6-8, he’s got plenty of size, and he has 33-inch arms. Check, and check.
Trapilo was a starter at right tackle for the Eagles and earned All-ACC First Team honors last year. His late father, Steve, played guard in the NFL.
Trapilo has starter potential. At worst, he could be utilized as a swing tackle.
Fourth round, pick 106:
Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia, 5-8, 198 pounds
Josh McDaniels has always been a fan of having a third-down back.
See Kevin Faulk. Shane Vereen. James White.
Etienne, who had one of his 30 visits in Foxborough, fits the script.
The Georgia back caught 32 passes for 194 yards this past season. He’s displayed good route-running ability and a soft pair of hands.
As a runner, he boasts great vision and quickness. He led the team with nine rushing touchdowns.
Etienne, the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars back Travis Etienne, also has experience as a return specialist.
He does have some character concerns, having been arrested for DUI, and reckless driving among other things. The DUI charged were dropped, and Etienne received 12 months probation.
As Mike Vrabel said last week, teams can’t win with just a bunch of “good dudes.” That means Etienne is likely still in play.
Fifth round, pick 144:
Bryson Nesbit, UNC, TE, 6-5, 238 pounds
In the whatever it takes to make Drake Maye comfortable department, why not draft his college tight end?
Nesbit has impressive athleticism and size for the position. He set a school record for tight ends with 13 receiving touchdowns.
During the two seasons he played with Maye, he hauled in 76 catches for 1,092 yards with nine touchdowns. So they have some chemistry. Nesbit wasn’t nearly as impactful his senior season, and that caused his draft stock to dip a bit.
Like Maye, Nesbit comes from an athletic family. His father Jamar was a 3-time All-SEC OL at South Carolina and played 11 seasons in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints.
Nesbit also has plenty of special teams experience. Given his tie to Maye, it makes sense to grab him here.
Fifth round, pick 171:
Brady Cook, Missouri, QB, 6-2, 214 pounds
With the Patriots shipping Joe Milton III to Dallas, there’s a need for a third quarterback behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs.
Cook, a three-year starter at Missouri, has a similar skillset as Maye, which makes him appealing as a backup.
He’s a dual-threat quarterback with similar size, toughness, and speed.
He set an SEC record going 365 passes without an interception.
Seventh round, pick 220:
Drew Kendall, Boston College, C/G, 6-4, 308 pounds
Double-dipping on the BC connection, Kendall was a three-year starter.
Like Trapilo, this Massachusetts native has also been working with Scarnecchia and was on campus with Marrone last fall.
A captain, Kendall earned All-ACC first-team honors last season. In 2023, he allowed only two sacks.
Kendall can play all three interior positions which is significant.
His father, Pete, was a first-round pick by Seattle and played in the NFL for 13 years as a guard and center.
Seventh round, pick 238:
Andres Borregales, Miami, K, 5-11, 199 pounds
With Joey Slye leaving for Tennessee, the Patriots are in the market for another kicker.
Borregales is considered by some the best kicker in this draft.
He has a strong leg. He went 7-for-10 in boots over 50 yards the last four years.
At his Pro Day, he hit a 65-yarder.
Overall, he made 86% (74-of-86) of his attempts over the last four seasons. He had a 94.7% field goal percentage (18-of-19) last season.
Borregales would compete with kicker John Parker Romo this offseason for the starting job.
More Patriots Content
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