EDITOR’S NOTE: MassLive’s Mark Daniels released his Ultimate Patriots Draft Guide for 2025 on Thursday, April 17. This story is an excerpt focused on the Edge Rushers in this year’s class.
When it comes to a pass rusher, Mike Vrabel had an anchor in his Titans’ defensive line with Jeffrey Simmons. He also had multiple different outside linebackers and prototypical defensive ends.
At defensive end, the Titans played Denico Autry (2021-2023), Mario Edwards (2022), and Jack Crawford (2020) in that span. They didn’t draft any prototypical defensive ends under Vrabel.
Here are their Combine averages (note only one player did the bench press, so the number is skewed):
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′4 | 275 | 4.96 | 32 | 32 | 8′9 | 7.32 | 4.42 |
At outside linebacker, Harold Landry was one of Vrabel’s top draft picks and performers. Landry was one of three outside linebackers drafted between 2018-2023 in Tennessee. Also drafted were Rashad Weaver and D’Andre Walker.
Here are the averages for those Titans outside linebackers:
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′3 | 254 | 4.76 | 34 | 22 | 8′8.5 | 6.93 | 4.23 |
As you can see, there’s a stark difference between a Vrabel defensive end and an outside linebacker. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Patriots add one of each in this draft.
Keeping those numbers in mind, here are the best Patriots fits:
First-round option: Abdul Carter, Penn State
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′3 | 250 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Arguably the best player in this draft, Carter is an elite pass rusher. He played off-ball linebacker and defensive end at Penn State. Last year, he led the FBS with 23.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Carter was dominant, earning First-team All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Lineman of the Year. He’s ultra-athletic, agile, aggressive, and plays with high intensity. He’s a projected Pro Bowl talent who could go in the top 3. The Patriots met with him at the Combine and he had a pre-draft visit in New England.
Keep an eye on: Mykel Williams, Georgia
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′5 | 260 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Williams is an ultra-athletic pass rusher with a high upside. He earned Second-team All-SEC honors the last two seasons. Williams finished with five sacks and two forced fumbles last year. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he has the size and athletic traits that suggest he could develop into an explosive NFL pass rusher. That’s more of a projection as Williams will have to reach his high ceiling. He’ll be a first-round draft pick. Williams had a pre-draft visit with the Patriots.
Best athletic fit: Tyler Batty, BYU
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′5 | 271 | 4.78 | 34 | 27 | 10′0 | 7.21 | 4.54 |
Batty is built like a prototypical defensive end (6-foot-6, 271 pounds) and hits on five Titans marks. He also hits on five traits as an outside linebacker. A team captain, he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors after making 59 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Service a 2-year LDS mission in Malaga and Spain and will be 25 as a rookie. Batty started a horse therapy non-profit and earned an award for community service in 2023. He’s a projected Day 3 pick.
Later-round option: Ethan Downs, Oklahoma
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′3 | 269 | 4.69 | 34 | 32 | 9′11 | 7.58 | 4.59 |
Downs is a 6-foot-4, 269-pound edge rusher who hits on six prototypical Titans traits as an outside linebacker. He finished with three sacks with 29 tackles, nine for loss. He’s a two-time second-team All-Big 12 pick. He won OU’s Bob Kalsu Award for leadership and serving as a role model last season. In 2023, he was honored for his exemplary community impact. He’s a projected Day 3 pick.
Patriots connection: Oluwafemi Oladego, UCLA
| HT | WT | 40 | Vert | BP | Broad | 3Cone | Shttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′3 | 259 | N/A | 36.5 | 20 | 10′0 | N/A | N/A |
Oladego is one of the most well-connected prospects to the Patriots. Eliot Wolf was on hand for his UCLA Pro Day. The Patriots then brought Oladego in for a pre-draft visit. He is the prototypical size for a Vrabel outside linebacker (6-foot-3, 259 pounds). Oladego is a high-character prospect who finished with 57 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks last season. He started his career as a middle linebacker before transitioning to an edge rusher. He’s a projected third or fourth-round pick.
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