There will be a kicker competition in New England this offseason.
With their first pick in the sixth round, the Patriots drafted kicker Andres Borregales out of Miami with pick 182. Mike Vrabel’s team made Borregales the first kicker selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
That wasn’t a complete surprise. Regarded as the best placekicker in this draft, Borregales has a massive leg and the Patriots had pre-draft interest in him. Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer was on hand at Miami’s Pro Day to see Borregales kick. On that day, he hit a 65-yarder in front of scouts, coaches, and general managers.
Borregales will come to Foxborough where he’ll compete with kicker John Parker Romo for the job.
Borregales was consistent in college, hitting 86% (74-of-86) of his field goal attempts over the last four seasons. He had a 94.7% field goal percentage (18-of-19) last season at Miami. Borregales also has a huge leg, connecting on 7-of-10 kicks from 50 yards or more during his collegiate career. He was also perfect (11-of-11) between 20-39 yards for the Hurricanes last fall.
Borregales hit 99.5% (183-of-184) of his extra point attempts over the last four years.
The Patriots hope Borregales will fix their kicking woes. He’s the third kicker drafted in New England since the 2019 season. The Patriots drafted Justin Rohrwasser in the fifth round in 2020 and Chad Ryland in the fourth round in 2023.
Neither lasted long in New England.
Rohrwasser lost out to Nick Folk, who was great in Foxborough. In 2023, Ryland struggled, finishing last in the NFL in field goal percentage. That led to Joey Slye taking over last season. He made 78.8% of his field goal attempts. Slye signed with Tennessee this offseason.
Now, Borregales will compete with Parker Romo, who made 11-of-12 field goal attempts last season with Minnesota.
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