Patriots Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman praise Patriots’ 2025 NFL Draft selections “Probably the best draft out of all the teams this year.” John Tlumacki/Boston Globe Staff The Patriots have received high grades across the NFL media landscape following their 11-player haul from the 2025 NFL Draft. Draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL writers like Mina Kimes have praised New England for addressing several critical needs last month. Former Patriots stars Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski shared a similar message on their podcast about New England’s latest draft class.
“The Patriots: A to an A+ in the draft rankings,” Gronkowski said of New England’s draft grade during his “Dudes on Dudes” podcast with Edelman. “Probably the best draft out of all the teams this year.” Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, and New England’s top brass seemingly checked off several boxes in the draft when it came to protecting Drake Maye, adding big-play capabilities to the offense, and adding high-value talents on the defensive side of the ball. Advertisement: For all of the discourse surrounding Will Campbell (No.
4 overall) and his arm length, Edelman stressed that Campbell’s demeanor and body of work paints the picture of an offensive lineman who should be a foundational player for this franchise moving forward. “They all say, this kid’s a [expletive] killer. … Everyone talks about the short arms — after I saw his interview [where he] said he would [expletive] die for Drake Maye?
It gave me, lowkey, some Logan Mankins vibes,” Edelman said, adding: “And the last undersized tackle that everyone thought we missed on was this guy named Matt Light from Purdue in the second round, I believe. Advertisement: “He was way too small to play tackle. Played for us for what, 11-12 years?
Three Super Bowls? [Expletive] stud. I’m super excited about that pick.” While the additions of both Campbell and center Jared Wilson (No.
95 overall) should shore up New England’s offensive line, Gronkowski said that his favorite pick by New England was taking Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round (No. 38 overall). “I think he can walk right into the Patriots’ organization and possibly be their starting running back from day one,” Gronkowski said of Henderson.
“And what I really like about this guy is that he’s going to make Drake feel really, really comfortable in the pocket. “Not just because he’s going to get the run game going, but because he’s one of the best pass protecting backs to come out of college football in some time.” Henderson was a playmaking force last season with the Buckeyes, rushing for 1,016 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns across 16 games. He also recorded 27 catches for 284 yards and one receiving touchdown.
But as Gronkowski noted, Henderson should offer additional value as a stout pass protector capable of picking up blitzes and keeping Maye off the turf. Advertisement: “So it’s third down. It’s a crucial situation,” Gronkowski said.
“You need to get the first down to keep your chances alive to win the game. And boom, here comes the linebacker blitzing right up the A gap and boom — TreVeyon Henderson picks him up. “Drake Maye, you don’t gotta worry about it.
Gets the ball off to Stefon Diggs, first down, the chains are moving. That’s why this was a huge pickup in my eyes. I believe he has a first-round grade as well.
But they got him in the second round, so it was a steal.” Along with other pickups like explosive wide receiver Kyle Williams (No. 69 overall) and Day 3 defensive pickups like Florida State DT Joshua Farmer (No. 137 overall) and LSU pass rusher Bradyn Swinson (No.
146 overall), New England also revamped its special-teams units. New England selected its next potential franchise kicker in Miami’s Andres Borregales in the sixth round (No. 182 overall) before adding a long snapper in Vanderbilt’s Julian Ashby in the next round at No.
251 overall. While most teams usually don’t use draft capital to target special-teams players, Gronkowski didn’t have any issue with New England targeting the first kicker off the board in Borregales, especially given the team’s need on the depth chart. Advertisement: “I’m actually surprised, like how people are surprised that the Patriots grabbed the kicker in the sixth round,” Gronkowski said.
“I mean, it’s a sixth-round pick. Usually you cut a guy. I can’t believe kickers don’t go higher in the draft, especially when they’re money.
I mean, how many points does a kicker produce throughout the season in just a single game? … So picking up a kicker that’s dedicated, that’s going to produce? I think that’s big.
Yeah, second-round pick, third round for a kicker? Not really doable. But grabbing a kicker in the sixth round is absolutely no risk.
I think it’s a wonderful pickup for the Patriots.” Conor Ryan Sports Writer Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
