Taking a look at potential Patriots draft prospects to know a month into the College Football season.
Prior to the start of both the NFL and college football seasons in August, we released our annual list of college football players for Patriots fans to watch, as it relates to the upcoming draft. Now a month into the season, let’s check back in on some of those players – and learn about a few more who could be relevant to the Patriots this year.
Of course, it’s far too early to outright project the 2025 NFL Draft at this point. This is more about simply getting more familiar with the players and/or positions that will likely be big parts of the Patriots draft discussion come the spring.
Through four games the Patriots sit at 1-3. Many of the positions we highlighted back in summer still look like future needs, while some other needs have emerged or suddenly look more pressing as well.
Still, left tackle remains the team’s biggest hole. Given how rarely quality players become available at the position in the modern game, they almost have to address that need with a premium draft pick.
Keep in mind, this is just a selection of players who stood out for one reason or another over the last month. If a prospect you like isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean he’s not a fit for the Patriots. Be sure to check back to see if he makes the list in our next Prospect Watch.
Left tackles
Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) blocks during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Through five games, the two left tackles projected to be at the top of this class are still there. That’s Kelvin Banks from Texas and Will Campbell from LSU.
The big question at this point is who should be OT1. In reality it’s too early to answer that this early – the two have been neck and neck to this point and there’s still a lot of football left to play.
That being said, Banks probably has the edge at this point. For one, he’s looked better against higher level competition. Each player’s team has played one marquee matchup – LSU against South Carolina and Texas against Michigan. Banks was the better of the two in those respective matchups, although Campbell wasn’t bad against the Gamecocks.
Campbell has also had a bit of a penalty problem, with five through five games (four false starts and a post-play personal foul). That’s something that NFL teams will look at.
Then there’s the question of Campbell’s arm length. Some have projected him coming in under the traditional NFL threshold of 33 inches (those with shorter arms typically move to guard). Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy reported Campbell’s arms come in just under that mark at 32 7/8, but we’ll get an official number during the Combine. Until then, the best thing is to just judge his play as it is.
Looking ahead, both Banks and Campbell have big games coming up. Banks will be in the national spotlight in three weeks, when Texas hosts Georgia and one of the best defensive fronts in football. A game against Oklahoma is on the Longhorns’ upcoming schedule as well. Campbell’s big test will come the second Saturday in November, when LSU hosts Alabama. In the more immediate future, Campbell and LSU take on a ranked Ole Miss team next Saturday.
One other left tackle Patriots fans may want to get familiar with is Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota. Ersery is a plus athlete at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds. While more technically raw than Campbell or Banks he’d gotten off to a solid start this year before struggling last week against Michigan. Still, he’s a name to know as he’s moved into the first round conversation.
Wide receivers
TUCSON, ARIZONA – AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats runs during the second half against the New Mexico Lobos at Arizona Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. McMillan has set the program single game receiving record. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Even with the need at tackle, there will certainly be some Patriots fans still looking for the team to use a high draft pick to land a long sought after elite wide receiver prospect. For that group, there are still two names to focus on – Tetaoria ‘T-Mac’ McMillan of Arizona and Luther Burden of Missouri.
McMillan got off to a blazing start to the year, setting a Big 12 record with 304 yards and four touchdowns on 10 catches in the opener against New Mexico. He’s also put up an 11-catch, 138-yard performance against Kansas State.
However, McMillan failed to put up a similar impact in his other two games. For a young player it’s more about the flashes, and his high-level well-rounded ability has shown up as advertised at times. Consistency tends to come with age but the more he shows now, the higher his stock will go. An upcoming Oct. 19 matchup with Colorado and Travis Hunter – who he had a lot of success against last year – will be telling.
(As for Hunter himself, while he’s definitely made plays as a receiver this season he still projects mainly as a cornerback at the NFL level. He’ll likely be a top-five pick, but isn’t an outright receiver prospect the way McMillan or Burden are.)
Burden did get off to a slower start, but had a monster game against Boston College going for 117 yards and a touchdown on six catches. Part of the reason he got off to a slow start was Missouri blowing out lesser opponents and him sitting late in games. The spotlight will really be on him to produce from here on out, with road games against Texas A&M (this week) and Alabama (Oct. 26) over the next month.
For those looking for the Patriots to take a wide receiver on Day 2, Tre Harris from Ole Miss has been one of the breakout stars at the position this year. Through five games he has 49 catches (leads the SEC) for 804 yards (leads the nation) and five touchdowns.
Harris is a big (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) outside ‘X’ receiver, the kind the Patriots have been looking for – but also has experience and ability to line up in different spots in the formation. A lack of straight-line speed and a limited route tree may worry some, but he’ll certainly be in the conversation.
Edge defenders
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 2: Patrick Payton #11 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after Braden Fiske #55 of the Florida State Seminoles sacks Jack Plummer #13 of the Louisville Cardinals during the second half during the ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Through one month, edge rusher looks like it could end up in a ‘big three’ of the Patriots’ top needs, along with tackle and receiver. It projects as more of a Day 2 need, but will still be high on the list.
One player we highlighted in the spring – Florida State’s Patrick Payton – has gotten off to a strong start. Last year Payton showed promise, but was helped playing on the opposite side of first-round pick Jared Verse. Size was also a question for Payton, and he’s bulked up this year. Playing at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds he still looks explosive and has four sacks with six tackles for a loss in five games.
Locally, Donovan Ezeiruaku of Boston College has started to garner more attention. He’s been a big part of the Eagles’ strong start to the season, and leads the nation with eight sacks in five games (he also leads the ACC with 10 tackles for a loss). There are questions about Ezeiruaku’s size and play strength that project him as more of a Day 3 pick, so seeing him against NFL-caliber talent will be telling. Games against Louisville and Pitt will be big for him.
Running backs
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 07: Omarion Hampton #28 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs against the Charlotte 49ers during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Could the Patriots look to add another play-maker at running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson? Given their run-first approach it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a modest investment at the position this offseason – especially if they’re worried about Stevenson’s fumble issues.
The good news for the Patriots if they want to target a running back is this is a very deep, talented class. Of course, it would be enticing to reunite Drake Maye with UNC running back Omarion Hampton. After leading the ACC in rushing last year as a sophomore Hampton has come back on a tear with 658 yards and six touchdowns in five games. He’s also caught 13 passes for 107 yards.
Another good player to know is TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State. Henderson is probably one of the five best backs in the nation, but isn’t even the top back on his own team sitting behind Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins in the best backfield tandem in college football. That could lead to Henderson, who is one of the most physically gifted players at the position in this draft, to fall a bit down the boards.
Further down the board, Kyle Monangai of Rutgers has been impressive this year. He runs much bigger than his 5-foot-9, 200-pound listed size suggests and has drawn some comparisons to another Rutgers running back, Isaiah Pacheco.
One more running back I have to mention is Ashton Jeanty from Boise State. Jeanty’s draft stock will probably be too rich for the Patriots but any football fans should be watching this kid. Through four games Jeanty leads the nation with 845 yards and 13 touchdowns – in just three and a half games (Boise State’s starting offense was pulled at halftime of a blowout win over Sacramento State). He’s currently averaging an eye-popping 10.3 yards per carry. Every time he touches the ball there’s a threat of a big play, and he’s one of the most electric backs college football has seen in a few years.
Centers
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin (56) motions during the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network)
It sounds like David Andrews plans on trying to come back for at least another year after his shoulder injury, but the Patriots still should start looking ahead at the position. The only prospect on the roster at the position is Jake Andrews, who is missing this year with a significant leg injury.
Given the Patriots may have time to develop a player, Day 3 centers may be more realistic. Some players to watch at center in the coming weeks are Jared Wilson from Georgia, Seth McLaughlin from Ohio State, Jake Slaughter from Florida, and Logan Jones from Iowa.
