The NFL Draft is less than a month away.

As many roster holes as the Patriots filled in free agency, plenty of hard work remains.

Here are their top seven draft needs after Stefon Diggs’ addition this week:

1. Left tackle

The only place to start.

The Patriots’ in-house options include Vederian Lowe, third-round rookie Caedan Wallace and third-year backup Demontrey Jacobs.

Jacobs graded as the worst pass-blocking offensive tackle in football last year, per Pro Football Focus, while Wallace spent most of his rookie season on the bench after a college career at right tackle. Lowe’s failures had the front office chasing Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley in the leadup to free agency. Once Stanley opted to re-sign in Baltimore, they went back to square one.

Look for the Pats to address left tackle at or near the top of the draft, either with the No. 4 overall pick, an extra first-rounder they acquire via trade or their second-round pick at 38th overall. Names to know: LSU’s Will Campbell, Missouri’s Armand Membou, Ohio State’s Josh Simmons and Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr.

2. Left guard

As it stands, this position is anyone’s guess.

The Patriots appear to believe one of Cole Strange, 2024 fourth-round pick Layden Robinson or 2023 fourth-rounder Sidy Sow will emerge. Those three are the top candidates to start Week 1, with zero clear options behind them.

Strange missed most of last season rehabbing a knee injury after a disappointing two-year start to his career cast under the shadow of first-round expectations. Meanwhile, Robinson flashed at times as a rookie around rough stretches in pass protection. Sow was a non-factor following a promising 2023 season split between guard and tackle.

3. Wide receiver

Even though Diggs is reportedly on track to play Week 1, as he rehabs from a torn ACL, the Patriots need more.

Diggs is the only proven separator and ‘X’ receiver; a player capable of winning 1-on-1 matchups in isolation. The Pats have several options in the slot, starting with jitterbug DeMario Douglas and 2024 second-round disappointment Ja’Lynn Polk. Then there’s Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte, Javon Baker and others.

Without Diggs, this group represents arguably the worst receiving corps in the NFL. With Diggs and a highly-drafted rookie, there’s a chance the Patriots could surprise offensively in 2025.

4. Defensive tackle

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) celebrates an incomplete pass during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)

You didn’t think Milton Williams solved all of the Patriots’ problems here, did you?

Williams, while immensely talented, will need a supporting cast to muster the same pass rush he provided within a deep rotation for the Eagles. Right now, Christian Barmore’s health remains a question mark, and while he and Williams would form one of the best defensive tackle duo in the NFL, uncertainty abounds behind them. The Pats’ top backups start with journeyman run-stuffer Khyiris Tonga and Jeremiah Pharms Jr., plus Jaquelin Roy and Eric Johnson whom the front office added after they were released elsewhere.

5. Edge defender

A sneaky need for Mike Vrabel’s defense, the Patriots could use an infusion of young, pass-rushing talent here. Free-agent acquisition Harold Landry posted the worst pass-rush win rate of any regular edge defender last season, per PFF, despite clearing nine sacks on the year. The Pats supplemented his signing with a one-year flier on former first-round pick K’lavon Chaisson.

But after them? There’s run-first Anfernee Jennings and former second-round pick Keion White, a talented player whose potential the Pats are still trying to realize in Year 3.

6. Center

Former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury has stabilized the position. Now, it’s time to focus on the future.

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The Pats could add another center as soon as Day 2 of the draft, especially after Bradbury only signed for $3.8 million guaranteed over a two-year contract. Strange and former fourth-round Jake Andrews are the contenders to back him up. If Bradbury, who ranked as the 33rd-best center in the NFL last season, goes down, the Pats will need a ready-made answer anyway.

If not, it would still be wise to invest in the position responsible for stopping interior pressure from reaching Drake Maye.

7. Running back

Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and Terrell Jennings. That’s it.

Ahead of one of the deepest running back drafts in years, expect the Patriots to add another runner here. A mid-round pick who can contribute on special teams as a rookie and potentially develop into a starter long-term – as Stevenson did in 2021 – would be ideal. Stevenson, by the way, just turned 27, meaning this season and next should be the last of his prime. It’s time to restock the running backs room.

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is hauled down by Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed during the second quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)