The Patriots are adding to their defense.

The New England Patriots defense took a massive step back in 2024, and might look at the upcoming draft to help get back on track. Matt Miller from ESPN has them do just that: in his latest mock draft, the Patriots go defense with their first two picks.

4. New England Patriots

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

New coach Mike Vrabel will want to fortify the offensive line in front of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, but the Patriots can do a lot of that work in free agency with nearly $92 million in cap space, according to Roster Management System. LSU tackle Will Campbell is an option if New England isn’t satisfied with its free agent haul. But I wonder if Vrabel might use this pick to find a defensive cornerstone like he had in Tennessee with Jeffery Simmons.

Graham is a fiery, active interior pass rusher with great technique and the burst needed to be a difference-maker at the 3-technique. Graham, third-year defensive end Keion White and standout interior lineman Christian Barmore (currently out because of blood clots) would be a nice starting point for Vrabel and his new defense.

Graham is the top interior defensive lineman in the draft, and pairing him with a healthy Barmore as well as Keion White would give the Patriots a disruptive group up front — one that would have even more potential with the projected second-round pick:

38. New England Patriots

Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State

Vrabel could continue to rebuild a defense that finished 29th in EPA per play. I expect the Patriots to address their offensive holes in free agency, paving the way for Sawyer to start immediately at right defensive end and be a reliable three-down player from Day 1 on the other side of the ball.

In total, the Patriots own nine selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.