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Welcome to the Patriots Prospect Preview, our annual series where we talk about the club’s future picks before literally anyone else! Let’s jump into the slate for Week 3.
The New England Patriots dropped their season-opening matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, which gave us an early look at some cracks that might be forming in and around the roster.
Christian Gonzalez was obviously missing from the lineup, but there were some serious mistakes made in the defensive backfield. Garrett Bradbury wasn’t effective in the running game. Kayshon Boutte was the only receiver to stand out, leading the way for a group that still lacks explosive playmakers.
I’d like to see some of those things eventually be addressed, and these eight prospects could be tasked with doing just that:
Week 3: vs. Wisconsin (12 p.m. ET on ABC)
Germie Bernard has been something of a college journeyman, finally finding his way to Alabama following short tenures with Michigan State and Washington — stepping into larger roles along each stop.
Bernard has finally broken out as one of the better catch-and-run receivers in the entire country, pacing the Crimson Tide in catches (11) and receiving yards (213) in 2025. It’ll be interesting to see how he holds up against a veteran secondary, which includes another player worth keeping an eye on…
Week 3: @ Alabama (12 p.m. ET on ABC)
Ricardo Hallman is the opposite of a journeyman, spending each of the last four seasons with Wisconsin and looking to return to form after posting one of the most prolific defensive seasons in program history — recording seven interceptions and being named an AP All-American — in 2023.
Hallman’s numbers fell off the face of the earth in 2024, but that’s because he was only targeted 33 times in 319 coverage snaps — by far the least in college football.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell will ask his veteran cornerback to erase Bernard, so this should be a fun matchup to watch.
Week 3: @ Tennessee (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
I don’t want to cheat and put Georgia defenders on this list every week, but it’s ridiculous to pass over some of these guys given what they’ve shown when taking the leap to the NFL.
Christen Miller isn’t nearly as exciting as Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt or Mykel Williams (there are like nine more names that could be added to the list), but the numbers lie when it comes to his impact.
The Bulldogs line him up in the middle of the defense and base everything they do off his responsibilities — it’s amazing to watch in real time. I’d stay tapped into this guy, as he could be of interest come the offseason.
Week 3: vs. Georgia (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Joshua Josephs is perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Tennessee’s talent turnover...
