NFL Draft 2025: 7 potential Patriots edge defender draft picks

Welcome to Probable Patriots Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position The Pats have nine draft picks starting at No 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 Day - Abdul Carter Penn State Ht Wt - Projected round st Scouting overview 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 -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 contestant Just ask Mike Vrabel The tape is dynamic Vrabel stated this week There s a lot of great qualities of a disruptive pass rusher Very slippery loose sudden participant Jalon Walker Georgia Ht Wt - Projected round st Scouting summary If the Patriots aren t lucky enough to have Carter fall into their laps at No 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 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 sacks tackles for loss and tackles last year as a first-team All-American Jack Sawyer Ohio State Ht Wt - Projected round nd Scouting overview Since Vrabel s playing days at Ohio State perhaps no competitor has come through campus and played like him more than Sawyer Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer left and quarterback Will Howard celebrate after the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal contest against Texas Friday Jan in Arlington Texas AP Photo Gareth Patterson Sawyer is a relentless rusher who played his best football during the College Football Playoff He was voted a group captain in and didn t miss a event 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 overall the Patriots should pounce Oluwafemi Oladejo UCLA Ht Wt - Projected round nd- rd Scouting statement 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 ability There are chosen concerns about his play discipline including ill-timed penalties but if the Patriots believe they can smooth out a few edges in his event there s starting anticipated here Day Barryn Sorrell Texas Ht Wt - Projected round th Scouting document 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 Related Articles NFL Draft anticipated Patriots defensive tackle draft picks Callahan Mike Vrabel keeps mystery alive around Patriots th overall pick NFL Draft promising Patriots cornerback draft picks Patriots extra points DeMario Douglas to attend LLS benefit Thursday Mike Vrabel explains timing of Patriots trading Joe Milton III to Cowboys Fadil Diggs Syracuse Ht Wt - Projected round th- th Scouting account A transfer from Texas A M Diggs improved his draft stock with sacks and 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 of physical boxes has received high marks for his leadership as well Jah Joyner Minnesota Ht Wt - Projected round th- th Scouting account 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 sacks in a part-time role in In college he added -plus pounds and impressed specific at the start of the Senior Bowl an annual hotbed for future Patriots prospects