FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Move-catching RBs: The Patriots enter the 2025 NFL draft with 9 picks, and if issues go in line with plan, one can be earmarked for a operating again.
“I feel so. Having a superb, younger runner is probably one thing we wish to do,” first-year head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned final week, when requested whether it is an space he’d like to deal with.
Seems it is a good yr to be out there. ESPN senior draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. mentioned he has greater than 30 operating backs with a draftable grade this yr, led by Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton.
It might be a shock if the Patriots have been prepared to take a position the excessive draft capital to land Jeanty and Hampton, as each are projected first-round picks and New England returns Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson as its well-compensated 1-2 punch. To not point out the Patriots produce other urgent wants, beginning with the offensive and defensive traces.
However after the primary spherical, something would seemingly be in play, particularly if the decide complemented the extra rugged enjoying types of Stevenson (6-foot, 227 kilos), Gibson (6-0, 228) and 2024 undrafted free agent Terrell Jennings (6-0, 217) — maybe within the type of a smaller, faster “passing again.”
Such a job has lengthy been a staple in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense — from Kevin Faulk within the 2000s to Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, James White and Brandon Bolden within the 2010s and early 2020s. All of these aforementioned change-of-pace backs delivered clutch performs within the group’s championship years, notably on third down.
Requested which draft prospects would possibly match an identical profile, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid pinpointed Syracuse’s LeQuint Allen (6-0, 204) and SMU’s Brashard Smith (5-10, 194). ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller initiatives Allen and Smith (a transformed receiver) as seventh-rounders in his full mock draft.
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In a special yr, nonetheless, they could be valued larger.
“It has been some time since I can recall a operating again class this deep,” ESPN draft analyst Area Yates mentioned, including that of the 250 general gamers he has rated as draftable, 29 of them are operating backs — an unusually excessive proportion for the place.
First-year Patriots operating backs coach Tony Dews expressed his pleasure to work with the group’s returning backs, with Vrabel addressing Stevenson’s ball safety as essential after he totaled an NFL-high seven misplaced fumbles in 2024.
“Individuals discuss Rhamondre and placing the ball on the bottom, and he is aware of that. We’ll assist him there, and in addition we’re going to ensure the opposite 10 gamers know their job is to guard the man with the ball as effectively,” Vrabel mentioned, including: “We would love so as to add good younger gamers on offense, and ability gamers.”
As a part of the Patriots’ native professional day Wednesday, which is for prospects from New England space faculties and people who grew up domestically, Michigan operating again Kalel Mullings (Milton Academy) and UMass/Michigan State operating again Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams have been among the many guests at Gillette Stadium.
2. Milton follow-up: The modest draft-pick compensation (fifth spherical) the Patriots acquired in buying and selling backup quarterback Joe Milton III and a seventh-rounder to the Cowboys on Thursday sparks a query as to why they did it. Milton appeared like an asset on the recreation’s most vital place following his season-ending efficiency in a win over the Payments (enjoying principally backups), particularly contemplating Drake Maye was twice evaluated for concussions in video games final season.
The timing, in line with a supply conversant in the group’s considering, wasn’t a coincidence. Monday marks the beginning of the group’s voluntary program, and Vrabel views that as a significant checkpoint within the course of of building group tradition and the dynamic that ideally unfolds inside every place group.
Milton’s departure leaves Maye and veteran Joshua Dobbs because the lone quarterbacks — for now. Quarterback coach Ashton Grant spoke with reporters final week and here is what he needed to say about his QB duo:
On Maye: “By way of expertise, he can do all the things you need out of the quarterback place. I’ve had a pair conversations attending to know him, and he looks as if a super-smart child.”
On Dobbs: “We have been collectively in 2022 and the start of 2023 in Cleveland. He is an superior teammate. … His preparation is second to none, and the worth he’ll convey to that room.”
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3. Rookie QBs: Shifting on from Milton will increase the chances that the Patriots will draft a quarterback or, as a minimum, add an undrafted signal-caller as a result of groups normally carry a minimum of three on their roster. Reid’s view of the 2025 QB crop in comparison with 2024: “This class is not as loaded on the high, neither is it as deep under it.”
The Patriots almost certainly can be choices from the third to seventh rounds, which undertaking to incorporate the likes of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Ohio State’s Will Howard, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Minnesota’s Max Brosmer, Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard.
Reid mentioned Leonard as a “late-round dart throw matches the Patriots a ton.”
On a associated word, Brown College quarterback Jake Willcox was amongst those that took half within the Patriots’ native professional day final week.
4. McDaniels and Tiger: When McDaniels entered the interview room Thursday sporting a purple Patriots shirt and a smile, he stepped in entrance of the microphone and mentioned: “Good day, world!”
It was an ode of types to Tiger Woods, who uttered these phrases to reporters in 1996 earlier than his professional golf debut. It was additionally reflective of McDaniels’ reemergence within the NFL, because it was his first interview since earlier than shedding his job as head coach of the Raiders on Oct. 31, 2023. “Tremendous excited to be working in soccer once more,” he mentioned.
5. Jones’ return? The NFL rule change that can spot the ball on the 35 on touchbacks (as a substitute of the 30) is predicted to result in extra returns, in line with particular groups coordinator Jeremy Springer.
Working backs Gibson and JaMycal Hasty (now a free agent) have been the Patriots’ main returners final season (25.5 common, twenty eighth within the NFL), however one notable level that got here up on the league’s annual assembly final week was the chance that Marcus Jones might develop into a candidate to deal with the position if the rule change results in the kickoff return changing into extra of a play in area. Jones is likely one of the NFL’s high punt returners, however hasn’t returned a kickoff the previous two seasons. Springer mentioned he plans to have a deep roster of kickoff returners.
In the meantime, Springer mentioned the ability set of the kicker — now much like a punter in his potential to position the ball — additionally takes on added significance.
“It has been a whole lot of change of how we will strategy this offseason from a kicker standpoint,” mentioned Springer, who famous that John Parker Romo is presently on the roster and has been knowledgeable there can be a contest with a second kicker.
Particular groups coordinator Jeremy Springer says the NFL rule change to place the touchback on the 35 means extra returns … and in addition will increase the significance of the kicker having extra in his “toolbox” by way of placement and many others.
He says huge change in how group will strategy place. pic.twitter.com/kWqyhVM1tO
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 4, 2025
6. Mapu’s spot TBD: Marte Mapu, the 2023 third-round decide, is a hybrid security/linebacker whose match within the new defensive scheme beneath Vrabel is fluid. Will it’s security? Or extra conventional linebacker?
At this level, safeties coach Scott Booker relayed that the plan is to have gamers study the protection in totality, and coaches will proceed to guage the place strengths could be after which work to boost them earlier than narrowing down a selected place.
Mapu is listed on the roster at 6-2 and 230 kilos, which is an identical bodily make-up to linebacker Robert Spillane (6-1, 229).
7. They mentioned it: “I am fairly certain I am the primary NFL coach to have three jobs in the identical yr. Any time you may have an interim head coach and interim OC, it is as a result of one thing went horribly fallacious. That is not at all times essentially the most thrilling alternative to stroll into, however it’s a possibility. … It actually simply gave extra affirmation to what the last word aim is sooner or later, as a result of it can by no means be as onerous as that.” — Patriots TEs coach/passing-game coordinator Thomas Brown, on his expertise final yr with the Bears — from passing-game coordinator, to interim OC, to interim head coach
8. Patriots Corridor assembly: Thursday’s Patriots Corridor of Fame committee assembly included a shock go to from Robert Kraft and Vrabel; welcomed longtime operating backs coach Ivan Fears as a first-time member of the committee; and included among the finest/most passionate discussions for the reason that committee was fashioned in 2007. Kicker Adam Vinatieri acquired my high vote.
Along with Vinatieri, the next candidates have been nominated: Julius Adams, Peter Brock, Ron Burton, Julian Edelman, Chuck Fairbanks, Ted Johnson, Logan Mankins, Lawyer Milloy, Mosi Tatupu and Wes Welker.
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9. Patriots in Germany: Cornerback/returner Jones and middle/guard Cole Unusual traveled to Dusseldorf, Germany, final week to assist unveil a brand new Patriots-sponsored flag soccer area within the Garath district — the primary of its type.
Former Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who was born in Germany, was additionally on the journey together with former New England defensive sort out Markus Kuhn. A second flag soccer area was devoted to Vollmer.
“That is the place all of it started for me,” Vollmer mentioned. “I am extremely proud that along with the Patriots I will help pave the way in which for the following era of NFL expertise, maybe proper right here in Dusseldorf.”
10. Do you know? Of the 69 gamers on the Patriots’ roster, six entered the NFL as first-round picks — middle Garrett Bradbury, linebacker Okay’Lavon Chaisson, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, quarterback Maye, security Jabrill Peppers and middle/guard Unusual. Solely Gonzalez, Maye and Unusual have been drafted by the Patriots.
