CURRENT SITUATION
On the roster: Matthew Judon (2025), Josh Uche (2024), Deatrich Wise Jr. (2025), Ronnie Perkins (2025), Anfernee Jennings (2024), DaMarcus Mitchell (2025).
Patriots Historical Drafting
Over the last 16 years, the Patriots have made 15 selections. Thirteen of those picks have come from major conferences, with the SEC having 6 selections. The Patriots nailed two: first-rounder Chandler Jones (Syracuse), fourth-rounder Trey Flowers (Arkansas) and we may want to add Uche (Michigan) and Wise (Arkansas) to that list. There have only been 3 times they’ve used a top 2 pick on an edge player. Most of their “staples” have been free agents. The last edge selection was Ronnie Perkins (Oklahoma) in 2021.
Draft Expectations for the Position
From a league perspective, draft numbers aren’t as clear because of the evolution of what schemes mean for the front seven. Some teams refer to their edge players as defensive ends and others as OLB. Over the last 6 years, there've been 4 true defensive ends selected in the first round. I expect at least four, and it could be as many as six, DE/Edge players to go in the first round. This is another deep position in the draft class with lots of versatility and value depending on the type of player you want.
This is an area that I see as a sneaky need for the Patriots. Judon and Uche combined for 27 sacks last year which was one of the top duos in the league. They are a different team when Judon is on the field. But he turns 31 in August. Uche gives them solid athleticism on the edge which is important against mobile quarterbacks. But he’s a potential free agent after this year. Deatrich Wise Jr. is coming off his best season, but he’ll be 29 this year. It’s an important season for Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins, and DaMarcus Mitchell because they are all big question marks. Pressuring the QB continues to be the most impactful thing a defense can do in the modern NFL game.
Lastly, the Patriots traditionally like someone who is at least 6-3 with enough length to help set the edge, enough anchor to play the run (at least 240, ideally bigger), fast enough (under a 4.7 40) to not be a complete liability if they drop into coverage and the FBI to be versatile. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, they have flexed on it, but it’s an important barometer for anyone they might select in the first half of the draft.
Potential First-Rounders
OLB Will Anderson, Alabama (6-foot-3, 253 pounds): He's the alpha of this class, the best non-QB prospect. His burst to power, tracking speed, bend on the edge, plays hard, Saban raves about his competitiveness, good in the run game, and the list goes on. While most prospects (even Day 3 guys) are now opting out of the Bowl games, he decided to play in the Sugar Bowl for Alabama, which meant no other Tide players opted out. That’s what you call a thermostat guy. When he adjusts the temperature, everyone else gets comfortable.
He's a clean package at the top of the draft like other top rushers. The last two years I’ve compared him to former Chief, Derrick Brooks. He had over 200 pressures in 3 seasons playing against top competition. He does need to finish at the QB better and he can probably tighten his hand usage but that’s nitpicking.
No one will question his effort or "want to” and Alabama lined him at different places from 4i to 7 techniques. He’s highly decorated; SEC DPOY twice, 2x All-American, 2x Bronko Nagurski Trophy and started all 3 years at Alabama. Off-field, whoever drafts him, will love him. His nickname at Alabama was the “Terminator".
DE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech (6-6, 271): He has a huge wingspan (over 7 feet) attached to heavy hands. He had 50 pressures in 10 games this year (7 sacks). His size and athleticism will allow him to be scheme versatile, especially since his frame allows for more weight. He doesn't consistently dominate games yet and that will be his next jump but watch him against TCU and you do see it. I think he'll be best on the LOS, rather than a team asking him to drop in coverage as a true OLB but that should be expected. If you're drafting him high, it's to get to the QB. He still needs refinement and he’s not a finished product, but he has all the physical traits you’d want in the position. When you pull into an away stadium, he should be the first guy off the bus.
DE Myles Murphy, Clemson (6-5, 268): I think he has similarities to last year’s top pick, the Jags' Travon Walker. He has the size, movement skills, and run-stopping chops to be an ideal two-way edge player in a base defense. Sudden first step and plus power but he’s not a bend-the-edge rusher at this point. Where he’s valuable is his ability to stay on the field in any situation, scheme. He was able to play, and play well in the run game, as a freshman. That speaks to his natural strength, and he does a good job protecting his outside shoulder. As a rusher, he’s improved his hands but needs to continue to develop his pass rush repertoire beyond just length and bull rush. I think he could be a starter next year because of his work in the run game and while he may never be a consistent double-digit sack guy, I could see him playing in the league for 10 years.
DE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa (6-5, 272): He’s a tough, midwestern kid with angry hands. He still needs more development, but he has some splash plays with 13 sacks and a couple of blocked kicks over the last two years. They call him "Hercules” inside the program, reportedly a team player, and he was 2x All-Academic Big Ten. He’s a ceiling pick because he has the frame, quickness at that size, and the power to defeat blocks. He plays hard but he'll need more work on pass rush skills, especially if he stays outside (he was most effective inside). It may take him some time before he's ready to contribute as a consistent starter but he's a fit for any scheme because of his size and positional versatility.
DE Keion White, Georgia Tech (6-5, 285): He really hustles and plays hard. He was very good in 2019 at Old Dominion (started career as a TE), transferred and then was hurt last year. He added weight this past season and had a solid year. While he has athleticism, he's not a premier pass rusher but he has more than enough play strength to hold the point. His best asset is his versatility and could be a power end in any scheme. The word out of the GT program is that he takes a professional approach and he's ready for the next level. He's 24 years old, so he's not young, but his best football should be in front of him and there's a lot to work with. He will be on the Patriots' radar.
OLB BJ Ojulari, LSU (6-2, 248): He's played a lot since stepping on campus at LSU and he’s been productive (first-team All-SEC this year). Very quick off the line, can bend the edge, and has an advanced pass-rushing repertoire for a college rusher. I also suspect he’ll have enough athleticism to drop into coverage when needed. He wins with speed and can physically beat TEs, but I think he will struggle against NFL tackles if he doesn't have a wide angle, as they will get their hands on him. He doesn't always play the run game consistently which will limit his time on the field early but there is potential to get better if he commits. Word is that has elite character, he was captain, and he was awarded the fabled “18” jersey this year (given to the LSU Tiger who best represents the program). His brother was is current Giants OLB Azeez Ojulari, who was a Round 2 pick from Georgia.
OLB Derick Hall, Auburn (6-3, 254): He was second-team All-SEC last year and first-team this year. He has some pop in hands and toughness in his mentality. He's an athlete that beats tackles with good bend and quickness but he still needs some refinement. He had some tape dropping into zone coverage and he plays hard. The word is that he's a good locker room addition and he was a team captain. Alabama’s LT (Tyler Steen) said he was the best player he faced all year and I thought he was really fast at the Senior Bowl. He has long arms and his speed to power is legit. He was more explosive than I expected. He may start as a pass rush specialist as he develops his run support. I don’t think he’s limited by scheme, but he may be best as a 4-3 weak side end where I could see him eventually putting up double-digit sacks.
OLB Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State (6-3, 251): Bendy rusher with 20.5 career sacks and 8 FF. Good length, good quickness, advanced pass-rushing skills, and an excellent motor. He may not be a true speed rusher at the next level, but he still has intriguing traits for that position. Kansas State played him along the LOS and while he’s not going to be an elite run-stopper, he doesn't have to come off the field. More consistency and technique could result in him being an above average NFL player. Probably more of a 4-3 end.
OLB Will McDonald IV, Iowa St (6-4, 239): He's undersized for the pro game but played on the LOS for Iowa State. Speaks to his toughness and play strength. Natural pass rusher with an elite spin move, agility, and flexibility at the junction. But his size at the next level is the issue if he wants to be every down player. He led the Big-12 in sacks in ’20 & ‘21 and finished with 34 career sacks. He does a good job attacking the ball and forcing fumbles (10 in his career). He’s a unique evaluation because sometimes they asked him to play inside which isn’t his strength. On passing downs they’d often drop a lot of players into zone, and he’d benefit from coverage sacks. If he had more mass or was younger/still developing he’d go higher. He may still land in the first round but he’s a player you need a plan for which is likely a sub-rusher to start his career.
POTENTIAL PATRIOT FITS BY ROUND
Round 1: Myles Murphy.
Murphy or Van Ness would work here but I’ll go with the Clemson prospect who started every year, was keyed on by offenses and still productive. Not sure he’ll be an All-Pro, but I think he will be a solid long-term starter with upside.
Round 2: Keion White.
I don't love him in the first round, he didn't consistently dominate like I think a top pick should, but there's a lot to like. What I do love is that he plays as hard as anyone in the draft and the scheme versatility is appealing.
Round 3: Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame (6-5, 264).
Let’s start with the positives. He has top first-round traits, absolutely looks the part of an NFL player, he’s very well spoken with leadership skills, he was a captain at Notre Dame, and he’s durable. On the field, he plays with max effort, I thought he had elite get-off, and a good spin move. He’ll also contribute on special teams. While he’s all-time sack leader at Notre Dame (26.5), he didn’t always dominate. I have him in the late 2nd, 3rd round range because he didn’t produce enough against the top tackles (Dawand Jones, Paris Johnson Jr, Blake Freeland, etc.). Either way, he has the makeup and skills to become a plus starter in the NFL. This would be great value.
Round 4: K.J. Henry, Clemson (6-4, 251).
There are bigger names on the Clemson defensive line but every time I watched the Tigers I kept coming back to Henry. He led the team with 53 QB pressures, 32% higher than the next closest rusher. Henry needs to finish better but he's athletic, physical, and plays hard. He has heavy hands but typically wins with quickness vs. sheer power. I also thought he battled in the run game while offering some potential to drop in coverage if he needed to. Great locker room addition, team captain, and very highly thought of character wise within the Clemson program. He could help right away as a rotational piece.
DJ Johnson (Oregon) is another player to watch. He’d be more of a potential pick but there are lots to like about his traits, power, and play effort.
Round 5: Dylan Horton, TCU (6-4, 257).
Started his career at New Mexico and was recruited as a safety. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school that needed time to find his role and develop physically. So, he has decent athleticism that he matches with max effort. He’s a little light for a true DE in a 3-4 but his frame looks like it could add weight. The good news is that he lined up in a few positions within TCU's unique 3-3-5 scheme, which wasn’t necessarily geared to maximize his potential. He’s good out of his stance but he needs to continue to develop as a pass rusher. When I watched him early in the year (Kansas) he wasn't effective. That said, he ended up leading the Big 12 in sacks and he was a monster against Michigan in the semifinal (6 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 PBU) so the arrow is pointing up.
Viliami Fehoko (San Jose St) is another potential target that is a scheme fit for the Patriots. He was a 4-year starter who ended as Mountain West DPOY. He wins with technique and elite effort but overall needs more play discipline.
Round 6: Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss (6-6, 257).
He was a team captain for the Rebels and grew up in Canada. Right now, he’s more of a 4-3 end, so he’d need to add weight for the Patriots scheme, but he has plenty of frame for it. That will also help with his play strength without sacrificing his quickness. He's a big guy in person, you notice him on the football field. I think he’s a depth player that could eventually become a starter because I think he's still developing.
Round 7: Caleb Murphy, Ferris St (6-3, 254).
The Patriots coached him for the week at the Shrine bowl and I thought he improved as the week went along (which is the hope for the smaller school guys as they adjust to the competition). Then he was good in the game. He’ll need to develop more strength and technique to win consistent reps at the NFL level, but he had 40 sacks the last two years. Sacks are one of those things that can translate to the next level. Keep in mind, Matthew Judon came from Division II (Grand Valley St). Murphy won the Ted Hendricks Award given to College Football's best DE.
Priority Free Agents:
OLB BJ Thompson, SF Austin (6-6, 243): Long, traity athlete who is super skinny but effective rushing the passer. Think Brian Burns (Panthers) body type. He’s quick off the edge, gets to the corner quickly with flexibility, and he has a good spin move. His pass rush win rate was 18%. He kept flashing at the Shrine practices. I think he needs a redshirt season on the practice squad for some refinement and an NFL training program.
DE Truman Jones, Harvard (6-3, 250): He was the team captain and led the Ivy in TFL (13). He’s good at blocking kicks and I thought his play effort and competitiveness kept flashing at the Shrine practices.
Rankings
Preseason Rankings OLB
- Will Anderson, Alabama
- Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
- Nolan Smith, Georgia (we covered in the LB write-up)
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
- BJ Ojulari, LSU
Preseason Rankings DE
- Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
- Myles Murphy, Clemson
- Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Colby Wooden, Auburn (we covered in the DL write-up)
- Andre Carter, Army
Post Combine Rankings OLB
- Will Anderson, Alabama
- BJ Ojulari, LSU
- Derick Hall, Auburn
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
- Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
Post-Combine Rankings DE
- Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Myles Murphy, Clemson
- Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
- Keion White, Georgia Tech
- Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame