Putting together an impressive draft class is not easy, and the new regime in New England was under a lot of pressure to deliver after the disaster that was the 2024 class. From the get-go, it seemed like they knew their seats were hot. They immediately made the correct picks, making Drake Maye’s job much easier and eventually stealing some solid defensive pieces to create a dominating group once again.
They hoped to get the most out of this year by making several trades in the mid rounds, allowing them to add more picks to their selection and inevitably wind up with two seventh-rounders.
That led them to make some interesting picks that most have already deemed to be Bill Belichickian, as they are definitely players the former head coach and current UNC coach likely would have made, or at the very least, signed someone similar.
The Patriots seem to have had Bill Belichick in their ear for their final picks of this year’s draft
The narrative about Belichick kicked off with their first pick of the seventh round, which was long snapper Julian Ashby from Vanderbilt.
Typically, a special teamer in this role would have gone undrafted. But there were reportedly teams already in contact with Ashby, letting the Patriots know there would have been a bidding war for him that they likely wanted to avoid.
#Patriots draft Vanderbilt long snapper Julian Ashby
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 26, 2025
While this is a mostly non-story, there is something to consider about the new regime’s decision to draft a long snapper. It’s not a position that is usually drafted; when it is, it’s a near guarantee they will make the team unless something goes terribly wrong.
That could mean that longtime Patriot Joe Cardona’s time in Foxboro is nearing an end, which is quite a hit to the roster since he is the last remaining dynasty-era player still standing.
The Patriots finalized their 2025 class by selecting Memphis defensive back Kobee Minor, who became this year’s Mr. Irrelevant.
Patriots select Memphis CB Kobee Minor 257th overall as Mr. Irrelevant.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) April 26, 2025
At first glance, he might not seem like a Belichick pick. However, Minor is not the most experienced starter and is being labeled as a potential diamond in the rough. It’s possible that Mike Vrabel and Co. could have found another late-round hidden gem.
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