Ranking the Patriots' biggest positions of need for 2025: What will they do in the draft?

Even with seven games left this season, there’s a debate that looms for the New England Patriots. It’s one similar to the one the Cincinnati Bengals faced in 2021 after drafting quarterback Joe Burrow a year earlier.

With their most valuable resource to help young quarterback Drake Maye — what’s likely to be an early pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft — should they go after a wide receiver or help on the offensive line? In the Bengals’ situation, that meant Ja’Marr Chase or Penei Sewell with the No. 5 pick. (They, of course, went with Chase, but either probably would’ve been fine since they both turned into All-Pros.)

A similar dilemma awaits the Patriots. But that’s not the only call this new regime will have to make with a roster so badly in need of a talent boost.

So after 10 games this season, let’s take an early look at their positions of need entering next offseason. This list could certainly change down the stretch based on how players fare over the final two months, but with a massive offseason looming, it’s a sneak peek at the debates that await. Let’s dive in.

1. Wide receiver

We’ll have plenty of time to hash out this receiver vs. O-line debate, and the Patriots’ draft decision will depend on which spot they can better address in free agency. While we should acknowledge that the franchise needs full makeovers at both positions, I’d argue that wide receiver is a slightly more pressing need. Maye has handled pressure well, but too many of his impressive on-the-run or deep passes have fallen incomplete because of his receivers. One really good receiver can make a difference to a team in a way that one really good offensive lineman can’t since the line’s success is more dependent on the group as a whole. Maybe if DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk or Kayshon Boutte play well down the stretch, this could flip. But right now, I’d argue that New England needs to operate like it doesn’t have either of its top two 2025 wide receivers on the current roster.

2. Offensive line

I understand anyone who wants to argue this should be the team’s No. 1 priority — even over wide receiver. The current front five is really bad, especially in pass protection, and the Pats have only one player (Mike Onwenu) who is a no-doubt starter next year. The hope is that guard Cole Strange returns this season and plays well enough to solidify a spot in 2025, that rookie Caedan Wallace returns from injury and plays well and that David Andrews’ rehab goes so well that he gives you confidence at center. But outside of that best-case scenario, things are bleak, and it’s going to take a mix of free-agent adds and high draft picks to fix this group.

3. Cornerback

This is where the next big decision looms. Everyone knows wide receiver and offensive line are the top two priorities. But after that, is their next biggest need at cornerback or edge rusher? The Pats should feel pretty good about their top young players at those spots with Keion White and Christian Gonzalez offering optimism. But depth is an issue after that. Jonathan Jones is going to be a free agent, and Marcus Jones doesn’t seem like a true No. 2 corner, so the Patriots need both an outside corner to play opposite Gonzalez and depth to add to the group.

4. Edge rusher

White has been good in his second season, but it’s the fact that Anfernee Jennings has been better than expected that makes this position slightly less of a concern. Jennings is still primarily a run stopper, and you’d like to add someone better equipped to rush the passer here. Depending on how free agency goes, it’d be fair to argue the Patriots should draft an edge rusher with one of their two third-round picks in 2025.

NINE sacks 🤯 pic.twitter.com/vxrL9TAzXE

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 12, 2024

5. Tight end

Here’s where there’s another gap in their tiers of need. But even if Hunter Henry is back next season, tight end is still an important spot in this offense. The Patriots rank seventh in the NFL in their usage of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends and two receivers), deploying that on 30 percent of their snaps. Austin Hooper will be a free agent, and they need someone to fill that No. 2 tight-end role.

6. Defensive tackle

Admittedly, we’re banking on Christian Barmore returning. If he doesn’t, then this position shoots way up this list. But with Barmore and Davon Godchaux, the Patriots have their interior pair of a true pass rusher and true run stuffer. Depth is certainly an issue, but Jeremiah Pharms Jr. has played well and projects as a good backup next season.

7. Safety

There are a lot of unknowns here. If veteran Jabrill Peppers is eligible to play and the Patriots take him back, safety might rank last on this list. But since we don’t know where Peppers stands, we’ll leave open the possibility that the Patriots address the position. Dell Pettus has been a good find for this scouting staff and has played well. For all of the issues with the roster, these final four positions are in pretty good shape.

8. Linebacker

Depth at linebacker is always important, but if you pencil in Ja’Whaun Bentley to return next to Jahlani Tavai with Marte Mapu improving, this position is fine. A Day 3 draft pick here wouldn’t hurt, but this spot should be good for 2025.

9. Running back

As long as Rhamondre Stevenson stays healthy the rest of the way and shows durability, then all the Patriots need to do in the offseason is add a bit of depth here. Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty have been solid, so this isn’t much of a concern.

10. Quarterback

Exhale! The team appears set at the game’s most important position. That’s huge when a team is rebuilding! Maye seems like the guy, and Joe Milton III is probably his backup, so they’ll just need to add a relatively cheap veteran to be the emergency third quarterback.