New England Patriots - NESN.com
The top prospects will take center stage at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine this week.
With the Patriots holding premier draft capital ahead of April’s event, New England has the chance to add legitimate talent at positions of need.
On the latest episode of NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast, NESN’s George Balekji and Travis Thomas highlighted a handful of players they’ll have their eye on.
Mason Graham, DT
The Michigan product continues to be linked to the Patriots at No. 4 overall. He’s widely considered one of the top prospects, with NFL draft expert Todd McShay including Graham in his top tier alongside Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter.
“The closer we get to the draft, this is the name you keep hearing over and over,” Thomas said. “Every move he makes at the Combine, I want to see what Mason Graham looks like.”
Will Campbell, OT
Patriots fans have heard a ton about Campbell, the top offensive tackle prospect, during the pre-draft process. The LSU product finally gets a chance to show off his physical traits in Indianapolis. An impressive display of length and strength could propel the Patriots to select Campbell fourth overall. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Campbell as the No. 6 prospect while NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah lists Campbell at No. 8.
Shemar Stewart, Edge
Stewart plays with length and athleticism off the edge.
“He was built in a lab for edge rushers,” Balekji said. “This is a guy that I’m watching — not that I love, but I’m watching.”
Brugler has the Texas A&M product No. 9 overall, the third edge rusher behind only Carter and Georgia’s Jalon Walker.
Omarion Hampton, RB
The Patriots could use a boost in the ground game and Hampton is behind only Ashton Jeanty for running back prospects.
“The balance this kid runs with,” Thomas said. “He runs with power and speed.”
Jeremiah ranks Hampton No. 19 overall. Hampton tallied 1,726 scrimmage yards and 16 touchdowns in Drake Maye’s final season at Chapel Hill.
Jayden Higgins, WR
“I think he’s so, so, so good,” Balekji said of the Iowa State product, who enters the Scouting Combine at 6-foot-4 and 217 pounds.
If the Patriots address the trenches in the first round, Higgins should be on the board when they’re on the clock in the second round (No. 38 overall). Brugler ranks Higgins as the 48th prospect behind receivers Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden.
Kyle Kennard, Edge
Kennard feels like someone Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel would love on Day 2. The 6-foot-4, 248-pounder concluded his collegiate career at South Carolina and recorded 11 1/2 sacks in 12 games. “Length is his strength,” said Balejki, who compared Kennard to three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Brugler ranks Kennard No. 87 and New England has a pair of third-rounders (Nos. 69 and 77) in that neighborhood. Kennard, who met with the Patriots at the Senior Bowl, referred to New England’s Keion White as a “big brother” figure.
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