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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! It’s Week 5 baybeeeeeeeee!
The New England Patriots are riding the rollercoaster this season, following up their season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with a come-from-behind victory over the Miami Dolphins before dropping an ugly one to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It’ll be very interesting to see how they look against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but we have some business to attend to before then…
I’d keep an eye out for these nine prospects during the college football slate:
Week 5: @ Illinois (12 p.m. ET on FOX)
Makai Lemon is one of the second-tier wide receiver prospects looking to set himself apart from the others this season, joining some interesting guys like Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor and Louisville’s Chris Bell — all of whom could either be first- or third-round picks depending on the next few months.
Lemon is probably closer to the latter…
It’s not like he’s incapable of being a real difference-maker at the next level, we just see this sort of thing every season. Lemon has an incredible foundation, but doesn’t appear to possess any superb physical traits and will slip because of it.
The NFL is dumb like that, so pay attention to guys who know how to play the position and could become immediate contributors out of the middle rounds — kind of like Detroit Lions rookie Isaac TeSlaa or Tennessee Titans rookie Elic Ayomanor.
Week 5: @ Washington (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
The Patriots’ passing attack is heavily reliant on their tight ends, which is why it remains legitimately shocking that they haven’t addressed the future of the position beyond Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper.
I’ve been yelling about this point for several months, and recurring readers are probably sick of hearing it, but there needs to be a plan in place entering the offseason — with Henry and Hooper both just weeks away from turning 31.
Max Klare is the fourth tight end to be included in these lists, and unlike some of the others, he’s might be considered on Day 2.
Klare transferred from Purdue to Ohio State in 2025, and has just four receptions on the young season as he attempts to find his place within the offense. I’d be surprised if he ever becomes a focal point, so pay attention to his ability to contribute in the running game and how much he does with the targets he does receive — as it will tellus whether he’s the kind of developmental player worth making an investment in.
Week 5: vs. Ohio State (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
Denzel Boston is in consideration to be WR1 in 2026.
Boston is a rare jewel in this class, as he waited things out for two full...
