Set to select fourth overall in April’s draft, the Patriots are a team to watch closely. New England is not in need of a Day 1 quarterback, something which could lead to favorable circumstances with respect to how the top of the board shakes out in the first round. 
Still, the team faces a number of roster-building questions in the wake of free agency. The Patriots were busy on the open market, with lucrative deals for the likes of Milton Williams, Carlton Davis and Harold Landry aimed at upgrading their defense. The left tackle and receiver positions are still in need of attention, though, leading many to point to those as targets for the No. 4 pick. When speaking on the subject, EVP Eliot Wolf said need will not lead to the team reaching on a prospect.
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“No, we don’t [feel compelled]. The best player available is going to be the way it is,” Wolf said (via Karen Guregian of MassLive). “Maybe we went for need a little bit too much last year… But, just moving forward, it’s taking the best player, and understanding that we’ve filled a lot of needs already in free agency.”
New England’s offensive line was a major sore spot in 2024, and improving the unit was seen as a central priority for the offseason. The team’s only moves to date have consisted of adding veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury along with tendering Demontrey Jacobs, however. Providing quarterback Drake Maye with blindside protection will be critical for his first full season as a starter, but at this point nothing has taken place at the left tackle position. As a result, it remains one to watch closely regarding the draft.
On that note, Guregian reports the Patriots remain fond of Will Campbell at this point in the evaluation process. The LSU product is seen as the top O-lineman in the 2025 class, but questions linger about his ability to play tackle at the NFL level. A move to guard could be in store based on his arm length, but a selection at No. 4 on the part of the Patriots would represent confidence he can handle left tackle duties.
Other lineman are on the team’s first-round radar as well. Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline writes the Patriots have shown “an incredible amount of interest” in Armand Membou since the Combine took place earlier this month. The Missouri product has seen his draft stock rise in recent weeks, although he too is seen as a candidate to play guard in the NFL. Like with Campbell, Membou would be expected to operate as a tackle in the event New England drafted him in (or near) the top five or 10 selections.
Of course, any public statements made at this time of year cannot fully be taken at face value. Still, Wolf’s remarks indicate the Patriots are open to several different possibilities in the first round, including those which could steer them toward an offensive lineman with their top pick (although as Guregian notes, New England sees Heisman winner Travis Hunter as the best player in the draft). Barring a left tackle signing in particular over the coming weeks, Campbell and Membou will be worth monitoring from New England’s perspective as the draft approaches.
Banks and Simmons are the only legit, safe LT options in the 1st Rd. Both would be a massive reach with the 4th pick. Perhaps NE can try to trade down. Maybe Dallas really wants Jeanty and trades up to 4. Both Banks and Simmons SHOULD still be on the board at 12. NE could get there guy and add a mid 2nd round pick.
Agreed, although I wonder if Banks might creep up higher because he’s the surest LT in the draft (I don’t buy the move to guard talk with him). I do really like Membou, even if he’s only played on the right side. With Simmons, I wonder if he’s going to drop further because of injury concerns.
I see the OT this way as well. If Carter and Hunter are gone at 4, look to trade back to the middle of the 1st and target Simmons or Banks. Zero reason to draft a RT that than converts to LT.
If there’s trade partners and the LTs aren’t moving try to move back twice – 4 to Dallas at 12 then 12 to Chargers at 22. Not forcing selections and being open to accumulating picks in the middle of draft could inject a lot of talent – mid 1st rd tackle and day 2 TE, DL, CB, WR.
I’m hoping the Pats take Carter if available (he won’t be), then Hunter (he definitely could be), otherwise trade back and get more picks.
At this point, I’m very confident Campbell will be a very good NFL player, but I’m also pretty confident it’ll be at guard. If it were just arm length, that would be one thing, but his overally wingspan is much shorter than even the guys who’ve succeeded at tackle with shorter arms.
I’m really tired hearing about his arms are 3/10’s of an inch too short… forgive this… but that’s not a measure of a man. seriously, can you remind me what the draft told you about TB12’s chance to succeed??? Or David Andrew’s?
But because so many folk think along your lines, I would love to see them take Hunter, perhaps the #1 player in the draft, and then trade back at #7/8/9 to grab Campbell…