Patriots Make Shocking First-Round Pick In Ex-NFL GM’s Mock Draft
Travis Hunter and/or Abdul Carter falling to No. 4 might be a dream scenario for the Patriots. If neither is available, New England could pivot to Will Campbell, arguably the best offensive lineman in the 2025 draft class.
That’s not how Mike Tannenbaum sees things shaking out, however.
Tannenbaum, a former NFL general manager who now works as an ESPN analyst, released a first-round mock draft Tuesday. After Cam Ward, Hunter and Shedeur Sanders were selected with the first three picks, respectively, Tannebaum attached Missouri O-lineman Armand Membou to the Patriots at fourth overall.
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“Last season, the Patriots were 31st in pass block win rate (50.9%), and their 52 sacks allowed tied for the fifth most,” Tannebaum wrote. “So that’s my focus. Membou played in 36 games and started 30 at Missouri, and he allowed one sack last season. I believe he can shift from right tackle to left tackle, too. He moves really well and shows solid hand placement. He’s also very explosive, posting the best broad jump (9-foot-7) and second-fastest 40-yard dash (4.91 seconds) of all offensive linemen at the combine.
“The idea of new Pats coach Mike Vrabel taking a tackle reminds me of Jim Harbaugh selecting Joe Alt in his first draft with the Chargers, and I think bringing in Membou would be a similar tone-setting pick.”
New England executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf has insisted the Patriots will favor the “best player available” draft approach this year instead of picking for need. If those remarks were true, it would be tough for New England to pass on Carter, who went fifth overall in Tannenbaum’s mock. The Penn State product might be the best player in the entire class, and it’s easy to envision Vrabel falling in love with such a gifted pass-rusher.
That said, you’re not going to compete for Super Bowls if you can’t protect your quarterback. The Patriots absolutely need to improve in that department, so Membou will be in play for New England on April 24.