NFL Draft 2025: Patriots urged to make a move for Minnesota's "quick-footed" OT to bolster Drake Maye's protection

Modified Apr 02, 2025 14:22 GMT

NFL: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - Source: Imagn — Patriots urged to make a move for Minnesota's "quick-footed" OT to bolster Drake Maye's protection - Image Source: Imagn

The New England Patriots need to do a better job of protecting Drake Maye as well as adding more weapons. New England has the fourth overall pick and has multiple options.

However, as a prospect to watch after the first round, NFL analyst Jordan Reid thinks the Patriots should select Aireontae Ersery later on in the draft from the Minnesota Golden Gophers to be a key part of the offensive line.

"Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota. The Patriots are still searching for a blindside protector for Drake Maye. Ersery is a quick-footed tackle with long arms, which makes it difficult for defenders to win cleanly against him," Reid wrote.

Ersery is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to NFLDraftBuzz.com. The outlet ranks Ersery as the 46th-ranked prospect, so the Patriots could select him in the second round to bolster New England's offense.

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Ersery is also ranked as the sixth-best offensive tackle in Mel Kiper Jr.'s draft rankings.

The 2025 NFL Draft is set between April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Patriots coach likes offensive line options in the NFL Draft

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wants to address their offensive line in the draft.

New England added Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury and Wes Schweitzer to improve the offensive line in free agency. However, the Patriots are still expected to use a draft pick or multiple picks on the offensive line.

The Patriots have been linked to Will Campbell and Armand Membou at fourth, but overall, Vrabel said the offensive line depth in the draft is solid.

“I think they’re great, young, talented players that have great film,” Vrabel said, via 985thesportshub. “Will’s got a lot of snaps at left tackle, Membou’s played right, but there’s a lot guys that have played right and left, and switched.

"So those are two good young players to talk about in that conversation. But there’s others throughout the draft as well.”

New England allowed the highest pressure rate in the NFL last season, so addressing the offensive line is key.

About the author

Cole is an NHL, NFL and College Sports reporter at Sportskeeda with over 7 years of experience writing for publications like CBC, USA Today, SMG, BJPENN, Sherdog and SB Nation.

An NHL fan his whole life, Cole played rep hockey in Canada from age 5 until 17 and grew up rooting for Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His all-time favorite players are Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, while Jon Cooper is his favorite coach of all time.

Cole attended Sheridan College and received his journalism degree in 2019. After decades of watching and reporting, he considers his knowledge of sports as his primary strength. He ensures that the same story has been reported by at least two reputed reporters before creating it.

Cole enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family when not reporting breaking stories. His favorite sports moment is from the 2010 Olympics, when Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal in overtime to beat Team USA for the gold medal.

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Edited by Rajdeep Barman