Patriots Prospect Preview: Nine College Players To Watch In Week 5

Welcome to the Patriots Prospect Preview, our annual series where we talk about the club’s future picks before literally anyone else! It’s Week 5 baybeeeeeeeee!

The New England Patriots are riding the rollercoaster this season, following up their season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with a come-from-behind victory over the Miami Dolphins before dropping an ugly one to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’ll be very interesting to see how they look against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but we have some business to attend to before then…

I’d keep an eye out for these nine prospects during the college football slate:

Makai Lemon (#6), WR, USC

Week 5: @ Illinois (12 p.m. ET on FOX)

Makai Lemon is one of the second-tier wide receiver prospects looking to set himself apart from the others this season, joining some interesting guys like Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor and Louisville’s Chris Bell — all of whom could either be first- or third-round picks depending on the next few months.

Lemon is probably closer to the latter…

It’s not like he’s incapable of being a real difference-maker at the next level, we just see this sort of thing every season. Lemon has an incredible foundation, but doesn’t appear to possess any superb physical traits and will slip because of it.

The NFL is dumb like that, so pay attention to guys who know how to play the position and could become immediate contributors out of the middle rounds — kind of like Detroit Lions rookie Isaac TeSlaa or Tennessee Titans rookie Elic Ayomanor.

Max Klare (#86), TE, Ohio State

Week 5: @ Washington (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)

The Patriots’ passing attack is heavily reliant on their tight ends, which is why it remains legitimately shocking that they haven’t addressed the future of the position beyond Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper.

I’ve been yelling about this point for several months, and recurring readers are probably sick of hearing it, but there needs to be a plan in place entering the offseason — with Henry and Hooper both just weeks away from turning 31.

Max Klare is the fourth tight end to be included in these lists, and unlike some of the others, he’s might be considered on Day 2.

Klare transferred from Purdue to Ohio State in 2025, and has just four receptions on the young season as he attempts to find his place within the offense. I’d be surprised if he ever becomes a focal point, so pay attention to his ability to contribute in the running game and how much he does with the targets he does receive — as it will tellus whether he’s the kind of developmental player worth making an investment in.

Denzel Boston (#12), WR, Washington

Week 5: vs. Ohio State (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)

Denzel Boston is in consideration to be WR1 in 2026.

Boston is a rare jewel in this class, as he waited things out for two full seasons at Washington behind future draft selections Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, while staying away from the transfer portal despite having head coach Kalen DeBoer leave for Alabama.

It’s a good thing he did, too.

Boston has thrived in the new offensive system implemented by new head coach Jedd Fisch and offensive coordinator Jimmy Dougherty — helping that unit become one of the most efficient in the entire country. Boston already has 16 receptions for 249 yards through three games in his return from double sports hernia surgery, and will need to greatly improve those numbers if his program hopes to knock off No. 1 Ohio State.

I’ll be enjoying this one, as he’ll be the focal point of a best-on-best matchup alongside his offense against that swarming and aggressive defense.

Whit Weeks (#40), LB, LSU

Week 5: @ Ole Miss (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)

Whit Weeks is dating Landry Kiffin, the daughter of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.

Yes, we’re here to talk about legitimate draft prospects and not tabloid fodder, but this is just too fun of a story not to mention.

Weeks also happens to be one of the best linebackers in the country, and will be forced into plenty of coverage situations against an uber-aggressive offense — which is helpful as we look to see whether he has what it takes to play against NFL-level tight ends and running backs like Dae’Quan Wright and Kewan Lacy.

Suntarine Perkins (#4), LB, Ole Miss

Week 5: vs. LSU (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)

Kiffin is going to get more attention than any of his players, but watch out for all-world pass-rusher Suntarine Perkins.

Perkins combined for 13.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, and enters this season as a legitimate steal in the 2026 NFL Draft.

I love this player, and have for a long time, so when he finds himself in the first-round conversation don’t forget who told you about him.

Kenyon Sadiq (#18), TE, Oregon

Week 5: @ Penn State (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC)

Kenyon Sadiq is of a similar ilk as recent first-round picks Colton Loveland and Kyle Pitts.

It’s a wide receiver in a tight end body who has freakish athleticism….

Sadiq could put on some weight and really become a difference-maker at the next level, but it seems like the biggest thing right now is displaying his athleticism. The Patriots would be in decent shape if tight end is their biggest need this offseason, but if things go right, perhaps this guy is in consideration.

Dani Dennis-Sutton (#33), EDGE, Penn State

Week 5: vs. Oregon (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC)

Dani Dennis-Sutton is a really good defensive end who can play from multiple alignments and impact both the passing and running game.

I’d just hope he slips to the second round, where he’d be an automatic pick for almost anyone.

Parker Brailsford (#72), IOL, Alabama

Week 5: @ Georgia (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)

The Patriots seem to be interested in athleticism along the offensive line, which was evidenced by their selections of Jared Wilson and Will Campbell.

Brailsford has a similar level of athleticism, and could be in play for the club if it feels comfortable leaving Wilson and Camp ell together at left guard and left tackle.

Garrett Bradbury has been good, but he isn’t a long-term fit.

Oscar Delp (#4), TE, Georgia

Week 5: vs. Alabama (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)

Oscar Delp is our third and final tight end selection this week, but certainly isn’t any worse than the two we’ve already mentioned.

Delp just can’t seem to find a role in his own offense, which is worrisome…

Georgia has looked more toward Lawson Luckie in 2025, which could have a major impact on Delp’s projections heading into the draft, leaving him available for a team that might want to double dip at the position.

The Patriots can dream, anyway.

If you’d like to hear about any prospects in particular, leave us a comment or send a note @KeaganStiefel on X!