ESPN’s Matt Miller put together a two-round 2025 NFL mock draft on Monday, and he had the New England Patriots go defense with both of their draft selections.
The team selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with the fourth overall pick in the first round and Ohio State edge defender Jack Sawyer in the second round with the 38th overall selection.
Graham was a stalwart defender for Michigan throughout his time in Ann Arbor. He was a unanimous All-American in 2024 and a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023 and 2024. He finished his run in Michigan with 108 tackles and nine sacks in 39 games.
Sawyer finished with 144 tackles and 23 sacks in 54 games during his time with the Buckeyes. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second-Team in 2023 and 2024.
Miller made the case for the Patriots to select both players with their first two picks. He called Graham a “fiery, active interior pass rusher with great technique and the burst needed to be a difference-maker at the 3-technique.”
As for Sawyer, Miller views the Ohio State standout defender to be able to “start immediately” as a “reliable three-down player from Day 1.”
Both players would serve as major upgrades to the Patriots’ struggling defense. There’s hope that the issues last season were an anomaly for a unit that typically plays well for the team.
They could surely benefit from the youthful energy and talent Graham and Sawyer would bring.
