The New England Patriots do have some pieces in place, but make no mistake: they are still in the middle of a major organization-wide rebuild after back-to-back 4-13 season and two straight coaching changes. There is no magic button to speed-run the simulation, either, they have to build the team back up one step at a time.

The next of those steps is right around the corner: the 2025 NFL Draft is starting on Thursday, and a prime opportunity for New England to add further talent after an already active free agency period. What they will do is anybody’s guess, but owning the No. 4 overall pick and nine total selections gives the Patriots plenty of options to address their needs.

What are those needs at the moment? We put our heads together to rank them from most to least pressing to give you a quick and easy overview.

Major need

1. Offensive tackle: The Patriots have struggled at offensive tackle for multiple years, and it appears the time has now come for major investment. Signing veteran right tackle Morgan Moses in free agency was a start, and takes some pressure off the team, but there are still big questions about both the left tackle spot and the long-term outlook at the both positions. As a result, New England might not just address the need early in the draft, the team might decide to go for the double-dip. | Need score: 1.0

2. Defensive edge: Signing Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency did help, but even with them and Anfernee Jennings in the fold there is significant room for improvement. The Patriots seem to agree, taking a close look at several edge prospects during the pre-draft process. The pass rush in particular is an area that remains a concern, and one that could be addressed fairly early this week. | Need score: 2.3

3. Wide receiver: The Patriots did add Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, but both are 31 and therefore might not be long-term stabilizers at the position. The same also can be said about the youngsters currently in the room, including DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Add it all up, and you get a position that stands to benefit from more infusion of talent especially on the perimeter. | Need score: 3.7

Significant need

4. Guard: There are no questions about the right guard spot — Michael Onwenu is taking care of that — but the left side might be a concern. At the moment, the starting spot will be decided between Layden Robinson and Cole Strange, and there is no guarantee either player will be up for the job. The uncertainty more than anything is what makes this need a significant one at the moment, but there is more variance than elsewhere: if Robinson or Strange turn out to be proper starter material, adding a left guard is not a must. | Need score: 4.3

5. Interior defensive line: On paper, Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Keion White can be one of the most disruptive interior trios in the NFL. There are questions about the group’s ability to hold up against the run, though. Even with Khyiris Tonga also brought aboard in free agency, and with some rotational players filling out the depth chart, the Patriots adding more help in the draft should be expected. | Need score: 4.7

6. Linebacker: The Patriots are in the process of reshaping their linebacker group. They released veterans Ja’Whaun Bentley and Sione Takitaki, signed Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens in free agency, and retained Christian Elliss via a two-year extension. Those moves have laid the floor at the position, but there is still potential for improvement. Finding a suitable, long-term No. 2 next to Spillane in particular is a goal even with Elliss back and the likes of Jahlani Tavai and Monty Rice also under contract. | Need score: 5.7

Moderate need

7. Running back: Even though Rhamondre Stevenson struggled with ball security and 2024 and Antonio Gibson never quite found his footing under the previous offensive staff, they are a solid pairing atop the running back depth chart. The Patriots still need more at the position, though, specifically somebody to add speed and the ability to help out in the passing game. Expect such a player to be drafted as early as Day 2. | Need score: 8.0

8. Kicker: The Patriots moved on from Joey Slye, leaving John Parker Romo as the only kicker on the roster. He had some good moments in his limited action as a Viking last year, but the team has made it clear that it intends to add to the room. Romo might still end up as the winner when all is said and done, but some competition is necessary given that he is on his fifth team in four NFL seasons and probably cannot be counted on to earn the job. | Need score: 8.0

9. Center: David Andrews is gone, and with him a reliable presence at starting center. How it will be filled remains to be seen. Free agency pickup Garrett Bradbury projects as the current frontrunner to start right now, with Cole Strange, Ben Brown and Jake Andrews also expected to compete. Unless New England is convinced in one of those youngsters can be a long-term fix, though, adding a center in the middle rounds makes sense. | Need score: 8.3

Minor need

10. Cornerback: Cornerback was ranked as a significant need ahead of free agency, and the Patriots then had to watch veteran starter Jonathan Jones sign with Washington. However, they also made the proper investments to build around All-Pro Christian Gonzalez. Signing Carlton Davis to a three-year deal and tendering Alex Austin gives them a good core to build around, with Marcus Jones also still part of the mix. The Patriots might still add more developmental depth in the draft, but the group’s foundation is looking more steady now than it did at the start of the offseason. | Need score: 10.0

11. Safety: The Patriots’ safety group projected as one of the best in football heading into 2024, but it ran into all sorts of problems. Kyle Dugger and Marte Mapu struggled with injuries, Jabrill Peppers faced legal issues, Jaylinn Hawkins was little more than a role player, and neither Dell Pettus nor Brenden Schooler made much of a difference outside of their packages. There is something to work with, though, especially if Dugger and Peppers can return to form. That said, the deep-field role still might have to be addressed even with free agents Hawkins and Marcus Epps signed to one-year deals. | Need score: 11.0

12. Tight end: Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are not the most dynamic tight end duo in the league, but they are a solid 1-2 who have shown good chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots re-signing Hooper in free agency ensured that the group remains in their reliable hands for 2025, but what lies beyond that is unclear and something New England might want to address on draft weekend. | Need score: 11.0

13. Quarterback: The Patriots having Drake Maye as their starting quarterback means that the positional need will hopefully not move into the single digits anytime soon. That said, New England is still expected to add more depth after trading Joe Milton to Dallas earlier this month. Free agency signing Joshua Dobbs is the clear No. 2, but adding more young talent would make sense either on Day 3 or in rookie free agency — and if only to help with practice procedure over the summer. | Need score: 13.7

14. Punter: Bryce Baringer had some hiccups in 2024, but on the whole he is a solid player capable of delivering punts with good hang-time, distance and directional spin. He also will turn just 26 over draft weekend and under team control for two more seasons, which effectively negates the need to add any competition to the roster. If anything, the Patriots might opt to add a punter in free agency just to lighten his workload in training camp. | Need score: 14.0

15. Long snapper: Coming off a disappointing 2023 season, Joe Cardona bounced back in spectacular fashion in 2024. While he did not get the All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors he might have deserved — he was tied for the league-lead among snappers in solo tackles and the only player at his position to force a fumble — he still provided much-needed stability at an often-overlooked position. No need to upgrade, even at age 33. | Need score: 14.3

Obviously, the ranking as presented here is subjective and there are certainly arguments about moving particular positions into different categories. More than anything, however, the list can be seen as a way of showing where the Patriots roster still has its shortcomings with the draft coming up.

And as can be seen, quite a few of them remain on both sides of the ball even after an active free agency period. That is especially true at the top, with a clear cut between the most significant six needs — offensive tackle, edge, wide receiver, guard, interior defensive line, linebacker — and the rest.

As was pointed out by head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots will focus on best player available as much as possible. However, when it comes to filling needs those six spots in particular will be in the spotlight.