NFL Draft prospects for Patriots fans to watch in the College Football Playoff National Championship
The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship takes place Monday night, with Ohio State taking on Notre Dame. This is the final chance for a number of top draft prospects to show NFL scouts what they can do. Which players should Patriots fans be watching?
While the NFL is down to its final four teams, the College Football season officially wraps up Monday night. In the title game, No. 5 Notre Dame takes on No. 6 Ohio State in Atlanta to decide this year’s champion.
As that’s being decided, many of the players in this game will also be making their final in-game audition for NFL talent evaluators. Not all game tape is created the same, with quality of opponent and overall setting factored in. Big performances in postseason games have significantly altered players’ draft stocks in the past, and there’s once again a chance that could happen on Monday night.
On one side is Ohio State, which will be in contention for having the most players selected in the entire draft come April. As the board sits now, the team could have 10 or more players taken in the top 100. Notre Dame doesn’t have the overall volume of draft talent that Ohio State has. Still, there are certainly players in this game that will be names to know come April – especially a select few that stand out as New England Patriots fits.
Which players on the field Monday night should Patriots fans be keeping an eye on? Let’s take a look before kickoff Monday night (if you missed our full Patriots College Football Playoff preview, you can find that here).
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Keep in mind this is just draft eligible players playing Monday night. Some players are definitely Patriots fits, but due to injuries won’t be on the field (hence they’re not players to ‘watch’ in this game).
That list is highlighted by Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin from Ohio State, and Benjamin Morrison and Rylie Mills from Notre Dame. We’re also not included players who aren’t draft eligible yet, but keep in mind there’s a real chance Ohio State’s two best NFL prospects overall may be true sophomore safety Caleb Downs and true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. This list does include underclassmen who are eligible, but haven’t announced whether or not they’ll declare.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
We’ll start with arguably the highest-ranked player taking part in Monday night’s game. Emeka Egbuka has gotten overshadowed at times playing next to the likes of Jeremiah Smith or Marvin Harrison Jr., but he’s a strong player in his own right. He inherited the slot position in the Buckeyes’ offense from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is a solid comp for Egbuka as a pro. He’s a strong route runner with reliable hands, who can create after the catch.
Egbuka may not be the true ‘X’ big play threat receiver the Patriots have been after, but if they can land that guy in the veteran market (Tee Higgins, D.K. Metcalf, etc.) pairing him with Egbuka as a chain mover would make a lot of sense. However, they may need to trade back up into the back third of the first round to do so.
S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Xavier Watts is Notre Dame’s top prospect playing in this game. He moves around the Notre Dame defense, but primarily plays free safety. A very smart and instinctual player, he’s often tasked with being the last line of defense for the unit. His football IQ helps him play fast, although he won’t be the most athletic safety in this class.
The Patriots have needed a true free safety ever since Devin McCourty retired. For the last two years they’ve tried rotating box safeties on the back end, which has led to inconsistent results at best. Watts could be an option to step into that role – if the Patriots are willing to take a safety on Day 2. He’s currently projected to be a late-second or early-third round pick.
Ohio State defensive ends
Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau have been one of if not the best edge rusher duo in college football this year. Both are well-rounded, three down players who can set the edge against the run but also pressure the quarterback when needed. Sawyer has gotten most of the publicity this postseason as a team leader and having made a couple of big plays late in games, but both have been impressive in the College Football Playoff.
As the Patriots look to rebuild their defensive front, both Sawyer and ‘JTT’ are the kind of players that could help build a foundation. They’re both projected to go late in the first or early in the second round, but Sawyer in particular could see his stock shoot up with another game-changing play or two on Monday night.
TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Playing in Notre Dame’s run-heavy offense, tight end Mitchell Evans has primarily been used as a blocker during his time South Bend. He has the size (6-foot-5, 253 pounds) and strength to hold up in the run game, and has improve technically over his three years as a starter. His receiving talent was more displayed in flashes, but Notre Dame has had to throw the ball more in these playoffs and he’s emerged as one of the team’s top targets. That includes five catches for 58 yards last week against Penn State.
Mitchell is a project, projected to go on Day 3. If the Patriots are looking for a project player to develop behind Hunter Henry though, Mitchell certainly appears to be a fit – especially if he has another strong pass catching game on Monday.
Ohio State running backs
Running back has another position that’s one of if not the best duo in the nation – and has multiple players that project as fits for the Patriots. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson both rushed for over 900 yards and double-digit touchdowns this year. Unlike many running back tandems that have a ‘thunder’ and ‘lightning’ back, Judkins and Henderson are both well-rounded backs that are big, powerful, hard to tackle, but can pull away in the open field. Both are solid but not spectacular pass catchers.
If Mike Vrabel is going to try to recreate the offense he had in Tennessee, a strong, reliable, durable bowling ball back is needed. If he or his staff don’t believe Rhamondre Stevenson is that guy, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots get aggressive at the position in the draft. Both Judkins and Henderson are projected third-round picks heading into Monday.
LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Cody Simon is in his first full year as a starter for the Buckeyes. He’s had a solid season but has really come up strong in these playoffs, and has been constantly around the ball. His ability to move well at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds makes him an every down player. He’s been used as a run stopper and in coverage.
Linebacker depth is a clear need for the Patriots this offseason. Simon appears to have the versatility to play multiple linebacker spots and has the make up of a special teams contributor. He’s a player to watch on Day 3 of the draft.
DL Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
Howard Cross III is an experienced defensive lineman for Notre Dame, with 63 games played over six seasons for the Fighting Irish. He’s primarily a pass rusher who gets off the ball quick, has a developed pass rush repertoire, and plays with a high motor.
The big question with Cross as a prospect is where he’ll play. Notre Dame uses him as a defensive tackle but at 6-foot-1, 288 pounds he’s going to be undersized for that position in most NFL defenses. However, if he makes the move to end he could work as a passing down player (especially if the Patriots stick to their traditional defensive system). He’s projected to be a Day 3 pick.
Ohio State cornerbacks
Coming into the season, Ohio State’s cornerback duo of Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun was looked at highly from a draft standpoint. Burke was a projected first-round pick, while Igbinosun was in the top 50 conversation. However both players struggled this year. Burke was often picked on in coverage, allowing more catches on fewer targets than he had last year (although he’s been better in the Playoffs). Meanwhile Igbinosun struggled with penalties – he led all of FBS with 14 flags thrown against him.
Heading into the National Championship, both players are viewed as late Day 2 or early Day 3 picks. Their evaluation will come down to how much teams weigh their 2023 film compared to 2024. For a Patriots team that could use another boundary cornerback but has more pressing needs, if they believe this season was an anomaly for either player they could be viewed as a value pick. Keep in mind though Igbinosun is a junior and could return to school for another year to try and improve his draft stock.
S Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Staying in the Buckeyes’ secondary, Lathan Random is a well-rounded safety who seems to constantly be around the ball. He’s a three-year starter, who has spent the last two seasons primarily at free safety. Playing deep as much has he has he’s been better against the run than the pass, and is better moving downhill than back in coverage.
If the Patriots want to stick to their prototype of hybrid box/deep safeties, Ransom is certainly a fit. He also has the tools to be a special teams contributor. He’s currently projected as a late Day 2 pick.
QB Will Howard, Ohio State
Will Howard isn’t a likely Patriots draft target, but his performance in this game could certainly impact the Patriots’ overall draft strategy. Right now there’s no clear QB3 in this class behind Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, especially with Drew Allar returning to school. Could Howard be that guy? He already has the build and arm strength NFL teams will be looking for at the quarterback position.
In a weak class, Howard certainly has room to move up. Last year, we saw what a title run did for J.J. McCarthy’s draft stock. Leading Ohio State to a National Championship could certainly help Howard’s case. If teams start viewing him as a first-round option it could impact the trade value of the Patriots’ No. 4 overall pick. How much? It depends how high Howard’s stock gets.
