The NFL Scouting Combine rolls on Sunday with edge rushers, defensive tackles and linebackers hitting the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Since the New England Patriots have needs at all three positions, let’s take a look at some prospects who could interest them at each spot. The Patriots currently own six selections in the 2018 NFL Draft, including No. 31 and No. 43 overall.
EDGE RUSHERS
Harold Landry, Boston College
Height: 6-foot-2 3/8
Weight: 251 pounds
Landry was one of the nation’s top pass rushers in 2016 (16 1/2 sacks) before an ankle injury limited his production this season. He’s projected as a first-round talent and could slip to New England at No. 31.
Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-4 7/8
Weight: 250 pounds
Carter, whose blocked field goal helped send Georgia to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, has excellent size and length and a tremendous motor. He never lived up to his five-star label entering college, but he’s a versatile and athletic rusher who could vault up draft boards with a strong showing this weekend.
Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 270 pounds
Hubbard turned down a lacrosse scholarship from Notre Dame to play football for the Buckeyes. He doesn’t have the eye-popping athleticism that some other players on this list possess, but he has good size and technique and is known for his tenacity. Hubbard had a formal meeting with the Patriots on Saturday night.
Some other defensive ends who have met with the Patriots:
Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State
Height: 6-foot-2 2/8
Weight: 254 pounds
Mata’afa is a very interesting prospect. He starred as a defensive tackle at Wazzu, but at just 254 pounds, he’ll move to the edge in the NFL. It’s always tricky to gauge how a guy will adapt to a new role, but Mata’afa’s tape is seriously impressive. He hits like a truck and was a dominant interior rusher in college, racking up 10 1/2 sacks and 22 1/2 tackles for loss as a junior in 2017.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Tim Settle, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 329 pounds
Settle has rare athleticism for a man his size. The player comp on his official NFL draft profile? Vince Wilfork.
Taven Bryan, Florida
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 291 pounds
Bryan abused SEC offensive linemen with his blend of speed and power, and he has a tremendous first step. Already viewed as a fringe first-rounder by many, he could push into the top 20 if he tests well in Indy.
Harrison Phillips, Stanford
Height: 6-foot-3 2/8
Weight: 307 pounds
Phillips was a dynamite run defender for the Cardinal, racking up 103 tackles as a junior this season. That’s an absurdly high total for a defensive tackle. He also added 7 1/2 sacks, using his long arms to manipulate opposing centers and guards.
LINEBACKERS
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
Height: 6-foot-4 2/8
Weight: 256 pounds
Multiple national mock drafts have projected Vander Esch to New England at No. 31, and it’s easy to see why. The Patriots, who had an informal meeting with him this week, need to get more athletic at linebacker, and the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year is a dynamic, full-field playmaker. Vander Esch is one of the players we’re most excited to watch Sunday, though it’s easy to envision him lighting up the combine and climbing out of the Pats’ draft range.
Malik Jefferson, Texas
Height: 6-foot-2 2/8
Weight: 236 pounds
In Jefferson’s official NFL draft profile, Lance Zierlein wrote that he needs “more of a glass-eating mentality to fit in with NFL linebackers,” which has to be one of the more entertaining prospect evaluations we’ve seen this year. Jefferson has the size and athleticism, though, and showed good range as a tackler.
Rashaan Evans, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 232 pounds
Evans, who met with the Patriots this week, is another player who fits the “athletic linebacker” mold. He’s fast, physical, can rush the passer, drop back in coverage and play three downs. Chances are, he’ll be gone by the time New England goes on the clock.
