Ten potential Patriots to watch this weekend in the College Football Playoff Originally published NBC Sports Boston
There are three College Football Playoff games on Saturday, all of which are loaded with draftable talent.
Here are 10 names for Patriots followers to keep an eye on, highlighting some of the best at positions of need on Robert Croft’s club.
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SMU vs. Penn State, 12 p.m. on TNT
Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
One of the best prospects in the draft. period and one of the few options on this roster that could realistically be taken with New England’s first pick.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder is another explosive rusher coming out of Penn State. He may not be Micah Parsons from a tools standpoint, though he looks like a naturally gifted disruptor who could line up at multiple spots in New England’s front seven.
He’ll eventually have to be more than a designated pass rusher, especially given where he’s drafted, but that will have to be his role early on as he learns the pro game and his impressive physical skills. Creates a set of
Penn State TE Tyler Warren
At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Warren looks like a tight end but has the movement skills of an H-back. He’s a rare athlete who seems comfortable keeping the Nittany Lions in alignment everywhere, and his hands look like they could be among the best players in the draft class regardless of position.
The Patriots’ tight end room has been one of their best in 2024, but if they’re looking for a young, dynamic player to take over for Hunter Henry — or pair with him in 12 personnel packages — (Austin Hooper) becomes a free agent in 2025) — Warren looks like a potentially game-changing matchup option.
Clemson vs. Texas, 4 p.m. on TNT
Texas OT Calvin Banks
Widely considered one of the top tackle prospects in a relatively thin tackle class, Banks could become New England’s first-round pick given the need for Drake May defenders.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder has 37 starts under his belt after beginning his career as a true freshman starter, and he earned consensus All-American status in 2024 for his work. season, but he’s worth a close look as the top lineman in the class alongside LSU’s Will Campbell.
Texas OT Cameron Williams
Banks’ teammate on the opposite side of the line is a gifted player in his own right. At 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, he cuts an imposing image, but is rawer than his left tackle counterpart.
Williams has only started 11 games in the College Football Playoff, but he has all kinds of physical attributes that could merit late first-round consideration. If the Patriots stick with a wide zone scheme in 2025, adding Williams (perhaps with their second pick) would make sense because of his ability to move late.
Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Want speed for the Patriots? This 5-foot-11, 180-pounder has real juice. The Alabama transfer has straight-line speed that New England lacks while also showing some quickness to shake man coverage at the next level. If the Patriots select a lineman with their first pick, they want to take a closer look at Bond with their second. The 33rd team sees some Jaylen Waddle in their game..
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Tennessee vs. Ohio State, 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
Ohio State WR Emeka Igboka
He plays a position of need for the Patriots, but he may not be exactly what they need at the position. If that makes sense. He is reliable. He looks like a pro. He has a sure hand and is willing to do the dirty work.
His scouting report reads a little like Ja’Lynn Polk. Even if he’s a better version, and as much as the Patriots could use another pro in that room, they could really use some higher ceiling potential at that spot. What if they get a star in free agency and then need a No. 2? Then maybe Igboka is their type.
Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimoloau
At 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, the Buckeyes have a pro-ready player who sets the edge for them in Tuimoloau. In New England, he’ll be a bull rusher who does whatever he wants in terms of establishing an edge. He may have to be an outside linebacker against a 4-3 end in Jerod Mayo’s scheme, but he can make it work.
The only obstacle to drafting him would be that the Patriots are too quick to take him first and their second rounder might be too late to get him. He is the 24th player in the draft by Dan Brugler of The Athletic.
Ohio State EDGE Jake Sawyer
These people are kind of on the edge. Sawyer is another solidly built edge defender who is more likely to work through blocks than around him.
At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he’s not going to rack up big-time sack numbers. But he’s going to find the football, shed blocks and make tackles. Maybe not what the Patriots need with starting run defenders Anfernie Jennings and Kevin White already on the roster. Still, a player worth keeping an eye on.
Ohio State DT Tylake Williams
That’s the closest thing to a Patriots interior lineman playing this weekend. The 6-foot-2, 322-pounder is an immovable object against the run. He has the size and strength to eat blocks and the discipline to understand how to make life easier for tacklers playing behind him.
He’s another first-round prospect, but if it’s New England who wants him, they’ll either have to move back from their (potential) top-five spot or move up from their (potential) top second-round pick.
Tennessee Age James Pierce
A physical freak. It’s flying off the pier. He is a next-level athlete with the obvious speed and fluidity to work around offensive tackles.
The only question is whether or not he’s worthy of a high-end first-rounder if his initial downward projection is a bit of a blur. He could have the frame (6-foot-5, 242 pounds) to add some weight and be an every-down option. But if the Patriots are concerned about his versatility — as much as they could use some pass rushers — they may find they need to look elsewhere for edge help. Bleacher Report compared him to Brian Burns.
