The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone. It's a huge step in the evaluation process that leads up to the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26th in Green Bay, Wisconsin. While fans are relegated to the testing portion and positional drills of the combine, the real value for NFL teams is getting to know the prospects behind closed doors with formal meetings and acquiring the almighty vital medical reports. There were numerous players that New England showed significant interest in during the week-long event in Indianapolis, as they met with potential draft targets with various grades, including everyone from Day 1 targets, to potential undrafted rookie free agent types.
While March will bring the arrival of pro day workouts and the NFL free agent frenzy, the foundation of any successful organization still remains building through the draft and developing in-house talent. Roster construction via the draft continues to be a proven formula for success, which makes the 2025 NFL Draft the most important one in franchise history for New England. We have deciphered through all the rumors and innuendo that ran rampant in downtown Indianapolis, condensing it into our positional assessment below. There are several prominent prospects to be aware of on the Patriots radar at every position and head coach Mike Vrabel was at the forefront for all of it.
Part I was offense. Let's dive into the defensive prospects:
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
New England has found plenty of success with Michigan players in the past. Could they look to add some Wolverines to the pipeline? The Patriots met with both defensive tackle prospects Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Lots of focus in Indy surrounded the poor body frame that Graham possesses, as he opted not to work out. Despite the criticism, he has some of the best film in the draft and remains in contention to be a very high pick. Meanwhile, the mammoth-sized Grant weighed in at 331, which was 35 pounds heavier than Graham. Grant is said to be a freaky athlete and also reserved his testing for pro day. In other news from Indy, the Patriots gave Davon Godchaux permission to seek a trade. He could maybe fetch a late Day 3 draft pick in return. Also, Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams is rumored to be one target in free agency.
Big Winner: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6-5, 267 - Prior to the combine workout, NFL teams were still trying to figure out where Stewart fits best at the next level, as his body frame and agility lends itself to having real positional flexibility. After timing 4.59 in the forty-yard dash, with an even more impressive top speed of 22mph, along with a 40" vertical jump and 10-11 broad jump, there's a very good chance that teams such as the Patriots have slid him over to the edge rush group. While defensive tackle might be his best fit at the next level as a 5 or 3 technique, Stewart could get a chance to play the edge with that type of athleticism to complement his 34" arm length.
Patriots Target: JJ Pegues, Ole Miss, 6-3, 309 - Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who sometimes moonlighted as a spot-tight end could probably relate to Pegues, who duals as an offensive threat. Based upon his combine performance, there's not much to get excited about over Pegues, who turned in a pedestrian 5.15 forty-yard dash and 27.5" vertical jump. Rather, it's his run-stuffing ability, true nose for the football and versatility to play on both sides of the ball that makes him such an intriguing prospect. Pegues has lined up at wildcat, fullback and h-back, in addition to defensive duties. That makes him an ideal target for New England potentially on the final day of the draft.
EDGE RUSHERS
A dream scenario at No.4 overall would involve Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter falling into their laps. A foundational building block, Carter owns the most diverse pass-rush repertoire in the draft. In addition, his size and athleticism lend themselves to being scheme-versatile, with the ability to line up at defensive end, or outside linebacker. New England was sure to meet with the blue-chip prospect who did not work out at the combine, as they did with Nic Scourton of Texas A&M, who also decided to wait until his pro day workout to perform for NFL scouts. This is as deep and talented edge rusher class in quite some time, so Scourton could possibly be viewed as a round two candidate. With money to spend in free agency, it's possible the Patriots look to address this need later this month with the likes of Khalil Mack and Josh Sweat available.
Big Winner: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, 6-5, 245 - What a show put on by Pearce Jr., who has the most impressive outing in Indy for a pass-rusher since, 'The Freak,' Jevon Kearse. The Volunteers edge prospect ran faster than most running backs, timing 4.47 in the forty-yard dash, with a 31" vertical jump and 10-3 broad jump. A tantalizing prospect on the field with many desirable traits, NFL teams will really need to do their due diligence into the background and character of Pearce, as some have removed him entirely from their draft board due to character concerns. While his on-field talent screams top ten, his off-field issues could see him fall to Day 3. Would New England be willing to roll the dice at that point?
Patriots Target: Jah Joyner, Minnesota, 6-4, 262 - A combustible combination of size, speed and explosiveness, Joyner turned some heads with his outing in Indy. An ascending prospect, Joyner is a one-year starter with elite athleticism and a raw skill-set, making him a developmental pass-rush project with huge upside. He ran 4.60 in the forty-yard dash but managed to hit a top-speed of nearly 23mph during his attempt. Joyner participated in most of the testing, adding a 30" vertical jump, 4.68 short shuttle and 7.33 three-cone. New England was sure to schedule a formal visit with the Danbury, Conn. product who grew up just 150 miles from Foxborough.
LINEBACKERS
This is a team that has won just eight games in the past two seasons, which means there are plenty of needs. New England will need invest their draft picks wisely. The linebacker position isn't expected to see an influx of draft selections until we reach Day 2, which means good talent will be pushed down the board and be available on Day 3. One of those players could be Oklahoma thumper Danny Stutsman, who is clearly on the Patriots radar. The 6-foot-3, 233-pound backer showed off his impressive athleticism, timing 4.52 in the forty-yard dash. He brings a physical prowess and might remind you some of Jack Campbell (Lions). There was not a lot of reported formal visits at the linebacker spot throughout the week, an indication that linebacker is probably one of the lower priorities the Patriots will look to address in the draft.
Big Winner: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 235 - One of the top performers at the combine, Campbell exceeded expectations of many with a 4.52 forty-yard dash and 10-7 broad jump, displaying elite speed to accompany his cat-like instincts and quick-closing ability. The New Jersey native met formally with the Patriots but he projects as a first-round pick, so it's unlikely that New England would be in position to obtain his services. Used occasionally as a pass-rusher at Alabama, Campbell measured in with an 80-inch wingspan, and there is some thought in league circles that a few NFL teams could view him as an edge player at the next level.
Patriots Target: Barrett Carter, Clemson, 6-0, 231 - A speedy, fluid linebacker who excels in pass coverage, Carter showed off his athleticism during positional drills at the combine. While he didn't participate in the forty-yard dash, he did register solid marks in the vertical jump (34.5") and broad jump (9-8). The Georgia native had a formal visit with New England in Indy, so there is some team interest worth noting. While he demonstrates excellent instincts, Carter will need to clean up some of his tackling technique against the run but can serve as an impact player in passing situations. Should he slide to the Day 3 range, Carter would provide good value, as a player who could raise the level of competition and contribute right away.
CORNERBACKS
The Patriots were sure to meet with Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, according to Vrabel. The Heisman Trophy Award winner stated that he has informed teams that he expects to play both ways in the pros publicly but behind closed doors, he has informed teams that he is willing to do whatever is asked. Should New England be able to land Hunter at No.4, it would be ecstatic! The Coach Prime protege has the potential to develop into the top cornerback in the NFL. Yes, he is that talented! In addition, seeing Hunter line up and pose as an offensive threat might be something Vrabel would be open to. A potential Day 3 target, Western Michigan corner Bilhal Kone has met with the team twice. Meanwhile, the club plans to inform Jonathan Jones that he'll need to take a pay cut if he wishes to remain with the club.
Big Winner: Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 5-11, 183 - Arguably the biggest winner of the week was Hairston, who blew the lid off Lucas Oil Stadium with his eye-popping performance! One of the top standouts at the Senior Bowl, 'Mad Max' carried his momentum over to Indianapolis, blazing the fastest forty-yard dash of the week (4.28), while peaking at 24mph during his attempt. He added a 39.5" vertical jump and 10-9 broad jump. Hairston is known to play a physical press-man coverage style but also shows the awareness to thrive in a zone coverage scheme as well. His performance has now placed him in the conversation as the first cornerback off the board, after the aforementioned Hunter.
Patriots Target: Caleb Ransaw, Tulane, 5-11, 197 - Another player who turned heads in Mobile was Ransaw, who would continue that trend in Indy. While some decision-makers may have questioned his mid-major pedigree, there is no doubt that Ransaw is a big time player with major speed. His combine performance was sure to make believers, as Ransaw tore the turf up with a 4.33 forty-yard dash, hitting 23mph, with a 40" vertical jump and 10-9 broad jump. The well-rounded prospect would fit well with the Patriots, as he brings experience covering wideouts on the inside or outside, has a high football IQ and is also a solid wrap-up tackler in the run game.
SAFETIES
If formal combine meetings are any indication as to how the Patriots view the safety position, it would seem to be low on the radar. Few meetings were reported or acknowledged during podium interviews. However, one player New England has shown strong interest in is Jonas Sanker of Virginia. In fact, they have met with Sanker formally at both the Senior Bowl and combine. An aggressive, physical safety, Sanker possesses size, speed, leadership and tenacious play style, in addition to vast special teams experience. He tested very well in Indy, coming in at 4.40 in the forty-yard dash at at 6-foot and 206 pounds. His size, speed and versatility would add some much-needed depth to the position. Sanker falls into the Day 3 range, which is where New England would look to spend their draft equity of they choose to add a safety.
Big Winner: Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, 6-3, 220 - An athletic anomaly, there are few humans walking the planet who possess the size of Emmanwori, along with smooth gliding, change of direction movement skills. The Gamecocks versatile defender displayed the ability to play a freelance centerfielder role but was also used in-the-box. His combine performance included a 4.38 forty-yard dash, in which he hit 23.5mph, a 43" vertical jump and 11-6 broad jump. While some have compared him to Derwin James (Chargers), he more likely resembles former Raiders second-round pick Obi Melifonwu (Memphis Showboats), due to his questionable open-field tackling. He did have four interceptions this past year, so there is much allure.
Patriots Target: Maxen Hook, Toledo, 6-1, 202 - A four-year starter, Hook is an instinctual safety who flies to the football and loves to lay the lumber. Coming into the combine there was little buzz surrounding the mid-major product, however he would depart Indy leaving NFL scouts with something to talk about. Hook had one of the better positional drill workouts amongst the safeties in attendance, demonstrating natural instincts, ball skills and owns an excellent frame. The Indiana native timed 4.55 in the forty-yard dash, adding a 34.5" vertical jump and 10-4 broad jump. There are few safeties expected to be drafted early, which means Hook could get pushed down to the middle rounds. His flexibility would be appealing to add to the Patriots' backend.