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 edge defender:

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 250

Projected round: 1st

Scouting report: The best defensive prospect – and perhaps overall prospect – in the entire draft, Carter is a certified game-wrecker.

Last season, he was named a unanimous All-American on the back of a 12-sack season that included four pass breakups and a couple forced fumbles. Carter bursts off the line and boasts elite speed and flexibility around the edge. He’s amplified his athletic gifts by learning a deep repertoire of pass rush moves that should make him an instant impact player. Just ask Mike Vrabel.

“The tape is dynamic,” Vrabel said this week. “There’s a lot of great qualities of a disruptive pass rusher. Very slippery, loose, sudden player.”

Ht/Wt: 6-1, 243

Projected round: 1st

Scouting report: If the Patriots aren’t lucky enough to have Carter fall into their laps at No. 4 overall, they might turn to another pass rusher in Walker.

A loose-hipped, explosive rusher, Walker can play off the ball and win on the edge. He split his defensive snaps almost 50/50 between inside and outside linebacker last year at Georgia, where coaches and teammates reportedly rave about his leadership and competitive character. Walker is a long, multi-faceted rusher, and smooth in space; someone who could unlock tons of possibilities in a multiple Patriots defense.

He had 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and 60 tackles last year as a first-team All-American.

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 260

Projected round: 2nd

Scouting report: Since Vrabel’s playing days at Ohio State, perhaps no player has come through campus and played like him more than Sawyer.

Sawyer is a relentless rusher who played his best football during the College Football Playoff. He was voted a team captain in 2024 and didn’t miss a game in college. He’s powerful and stout, and makes up for his lack of bend with heady plays, including six passes he batted down at the line. If he slips into the third round at No. 69 overall, the Patriots should pounce.

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 261

Projected round: 2nd-3rd

Scouting report: Oladejo took a pre-draft visit to Foxboro and it’s easy to see why. He fits the prototype for edge rushers who played under Vrabel in Tennessee and applies instant pressure going from speed to power. Oladejo has also played off the ball and plays with non-stop energy. There are some concerns about his play discipline, including ill-timed penalties, but if the Patriots believe they can smooth out some edges in his game, there’s starting potential here.

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 256

Projected round: 4th

Scouting report: A physical freak, Sorrell is one of the strongest pound-for-pound players in the draft, and more importantly plays with the exact play demeanor Vrabel wants. His motor runs non-stop, he’s violent and makes impact plays against the run and pass. Sorrell was also a captain for eight games last year.

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 257

Projected round: 4th-5th

Scouting report: A transfer from Texas A&M, Diggs improved his draft stock with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season. He’s long, physical and versatile, rushing off the edge and at times over the center. Diggs, who checks most physical boxes, has received high marks for his leadership, as well.

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 262

Projected round: 5th-6th

Scouting report: Joyner is a New England native and raw prospect who may need a year or two to harness his athleticism at the pro level. He broke through as a starter last year after posting 7.5 sacks in a part-time role in 2023. In college, he added 40-plus pounds and impressed some at the start of the Senior Bowl, an annual hotbed for future Patriots prospects.