Ten potential Patriots to watch this weekend in the College Football Playoff originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
There are three College Football Playoff games on Saturday, all of which are loaded with draftable talent. Here are 10 names Patriots fans should watch throughout, highlighting some of the best of the best at positions perceived to be needed for Robert Kraft’s club.
SMU vs. Penn State, noon on TNT
Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
One of the best prospects in the draft. Period. And one of the few options on this list to realistically take with New England’s first pick.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder is yet another explosive runner coming out of Penn State. He may not be Micah Parsons from a tools standpoint, although he looks like a naturally gifted disruptor who could line up in multiple spots in New England’s top seven. He’ll eventually need to be more than a designated passer, especially considering where he’s going to be drafted, but that may have to be his role early on while he learns the professional game and develops his impressive physical skills.
Tyler Warren, Penn State TE
At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Warren looks like a blocking tight end but possesses the movement skills of an H-back. He’s a rare athlete that the Nittany Lions feel comfortable rostering anywhere, and his hands look like they could be among the best 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 succeed Hunter Henry — or to team with him in 12-man packages (Austin Hooper is on the set to become a free agent in 2025) – Warren looks like a potentially game-changing mismatch option.
Clemson vs. Texas, 4 p.m. on TNT
Texas OT Kelvin Banks
Widely considered one of the top tackle prospects in a relatively small tackle class, Banks could end up being New England’s first-round pick given their need for protector Drake Maye.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder has 37 starts under his belt after beginning his career as a true freshman starter, and he earned unanimous All-American status for his work in 2024. He has been a victim of an ankle injury at the end of the season. season, but he’s worth keeping a close eye on as the top lineman in the class along with LSU’s Will Campbell.
Cameron Williams, Texas extension
Banks’ teammate on the other side of the line is a gifted player himself. At 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, he has an imposing image, but he’s rawer than his left teammate.
Williams has only started 11 games heading into the College Football Playoff, but he has all kinds of physical attributes that could be worth consideration in the late first round. 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 laterally.
Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Want speed for the Patriots? This 5-foot-11, 180-pounder has some real juice. The Alabama transfer has the straight-line speed that New England lacks while also showing some quickness to shake man coverage at the next level. If the Patriots go for a lineman with their first pick, they may want to take a close look at Bond with their second. The 33rd team sees Jaylen Waddle in its game.
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Tennessee vs. Ohio State, 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State WR
He plays a necessary position 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 steady hands and is willing to do the dirty work.
His scouting report looks a bit like Ja’Lynn Polk’s. While this is a better version, and while the Patriots could use another pro in this room, what they could really use is some high-ceiling potential at this spot. If they get the star in free agency and then need a No. 2? So maybe Egbuka is their type.
Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimoloau
At 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, the Buckeyes have a professional player to give them the edge in Tuimoloau. In New England, he would be a bull rush specialist who does whatever he wants to get an advantage. He may have to be more of an outside linebacker rather than a 4-3 end in Jerod Mayo’s scheme, but he could make it work.
The only obstacle to his selection would be if the Patriots picked too early to take him in the first round and their second round might be too late to get him. He is the 24th player in The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s draft.
Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer
These guys have a borderline type. Sawyer is another solidly built edge defender who is more likely to work his way through blocks rather than around them.
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, he’s not going to rack up a significant number of sacks. But he will find the ball, release counterattacks and make tackles. Probably not what the Patriots need with defenders Anfernee Jennings and Keion White already on the roster. However, he is a player to watch.
Tyleik Williams, Ohio State DT
He’s the closest thing to a Patriots interior lineman playing this weekend. The 6-foot-2, 322-pounder is an immobile object against the run. He has the size and strength to eat blocks and the discipline to understand how to make life easier for the tacklers playing behind him.
He’s another possibility in the first round, but if it’s New England who wants him, they’ll either have to fall back from their (probable) top-five spot or move up from their (likely) first place in the second round.
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce
A physical monster. It’s Pearce who flies away. He’s a next-level athlete with obvious speed and fluidity to get around offensive tackles.
The only question is whether or not he’s worthy of a high-end first round pick if his initial projection is a bit fuzzy. He may have the frame (6-foot-5, 242 pounds) to move up in weight and be an option at every level. But if the Patriots are concerned about his versatility — even though they could use some pass rush winners — they might feel like they need to look elsewhere for edge help. Bleacher Report compares him to Brian Burns.
