Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April 24, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have nine draft picks, starting at No. 4 overall. As for their other picks, the Patriots are expected to address offensive tackle and wide receiver, though they could pad their depth at virtually any position.
Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at defensive tackle:
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 306
Projected round: 1st
Scouting report: Graham would be a potential option for the Patriots at the top of the first round, either at No. 4 overall or in a trade-down situation. In some ways, the Patriots’ need at defensive tackle was lessened when they signed Milton Williams in free agency to a contract worth $26 million per year. But there’s little certainty on the defensive line past Williams.
Christian Barmore has been participating in the offseason workout program, but he missed most of last season with blood clots, which can be unpredictable. The team signed Khyiris Tonga and re-signed Jeremiah Pharms Jr. this offseason, and Marcus Harris, Eric Johnson and Jaquelin Roy return. But ideally, the Patriots would add another starting-caliber defensive tackle in the draft, a trade or late free agency.
Graham is the best of the bunch in the draft. He’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-4, 306 pounds with 32-inch arms, but thrived as a three-technique defensive tackle in Michigan’s defense. He was disruptive as a run defender and pass rusher and made an impact from Day 1 in college. He won’t turn 22 until September and still has some upside as an interior disruptor.
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 329
Projected round: 2nd
Scouting report: It wouldn’t be a surprise if Mike Vrabel drafted from the deep well of Ohio State players, since the Patriots head coach is an alum.
Williams is a bigger three-technique defensive tackle, though, like Graham, he also lacks ideal length with 32-inch arms. He’s known as a heady player.
Williams is one of the top run-defending defensive tackles in the draft class, and he was able to generate some pressure in the passing game, as well, with the Buckeyes, with 20-plus pressures in three of his four seasons. He did miss some time in 2024 due to lower body injuries.
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 305
Projected round: 3rd
Scouting report: Sanders has the potential to develop into a disruptive interior pass rusher. With solid size and length (33 1/8-inch arms), the South Carolina defensive tackle ran an impressive 4.95-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Sanders didn’t play high school football until his junior year after first focusing on basketball. He generated 60 total pressures and picked up 54 defensive stops over his last two seasons in the SEC.
Ht/Wt: 6-8, 328
Projected round: 4th
Scouting report: A massive individual, Walker has 34 1/4-inch arms and has the power to dominate offensive linemen if he can add consistency to his game. He just turned 21 in March and was an immediate contributor in the SEC, so he has some room to continue developing.
Walker was named a team captain as a sophomore in 2023 and held that status during his junior season.
He was dominant during his sophomore year, earning second-team All-SEC honors while leading Kentucky in sacks and tackles for loss. He slowed down in 2024 due to a back injury but had some highlight reps at the Senior Bowl. He played everywhere from edge rusher to nose tackle in college and has some versatility to move around NFL defensive lines, as well.
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 316
Projected round: 4th/5th
Scouting report: One of the more athletic defensive line prospects, West has been compared to Poona Ford, who received interest from the Patriots in free agency this offseason.
He’s undersized and lacks length (31 1/2-inch arms), but he ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash with a quick 1.73-second 10-yard split and impressive 33-inch vertical leap. West moved around Indiana’s defensive line after transferring from Kent State and projects as an attacking nose tackle.
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 312
Projected round: 5th
Scouting report: Vrabel is good friends with BC head coach Bill O’Brien, so don’t be shocked if the Patriots use Boston College as something of a feeder program.
Horsley wasn’t the most consistent pass rusher, but made life difficult for run blockers at BC as a four-year starter. He brings solid athleticism for his build, with a 5.04-second 40-yard dash, meaning he could continue to develop as a pass rusher in the NFL. He projects as a nose tackle in Vrabel’s defense.