New England Patriots - NESN.com
Relevant information surfaces in a variety of ways during the pre-draft process.
One such way is in the form of prospect rankings, especially from NFL draft experts like The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Brugler on Tuesday published an updated version ranking his top 100 prospects and there are plenty of nuggets as it relates to the New England Patriots.
Here are six Patriots thoughts from Brugler’s prospect rankings:
Strength of the class is good news
It’s a good draft to have a need along the defensive line, which the Patriots do. “Not enough spots to include all the (defensive linemen),” Brugler posted on X. Nearly one third of the top 100 are players along the defensive line. Brugler ranked 17 edge rushers in the top 100 with 10 players in the top 50. There were 13 defensive tackles to go along with those edge rushers. Three of the top four prospects in the class — Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter (No. 2), Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker (No. 3) and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 4) — would add pass-rushing prowess to the Patriots.
Top tackle solidified with other risers, fallers
LSU’s Will Campbell remains the top offensive linemen with Brugler ranking him No. 6 overall. “If I were running an NFL team, I’d be keeping him at tackle until I have a reason to move him inside to guard,” Brugler wrote, referencing the narrative Campbell isn’t long enough to play offensive tackle. He’s 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds. While Campbell has stayed put throughout the pre-draft process, Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks has slipped a bit. He previously was thought to be in the running for the top tackle. Brugler ranked the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Banks the No. 22 prospect in the class. Not bad, obviously. But it’s worth noting Missouri’s Armand Membou (No. 8) and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons (No. 17) each ranked higher.
Second-round tackle options
If the Patriots draft an offensive tackle at No. 4 overall it most likely will be Campbell. But if they don’t, Brugler’s rankings indicate a few offensive tackles who could be on the board late first- early second-round. Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., a 6-foot-4, 313-pound offensive tackle who stood out at the Senior Bowl, ranked 31st in the top 100. Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson (6-4, 320 pounds) isn’t far behind at No. 34. The Patriots are slated to pick 38th, though a pair of third-rounders could allow them to trade up. In total, there are seven offensive tackles in Brugler’s top 50 and nine in the top 100.
Second- and third-round receivers to remember
If the Patriots address the trenches with their No. 4 pick, top receiver prospects like Hunter, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan (No. 7), Missouri’s Luther Burden III (No. 20) and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka (No. 24) likely will be off the board by the time they’re back on the clock. Brugler’s rankings provide some second- and third-round options, though. New England will be on the clock with the 4th, 38th,...
