Patriots Draft Profile: Does Class’ Most Underrated Prospect Fit?

The New England Patriots need to figure out something along the offensive line, but beyond that, their options are limitless in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and Ryan Cowden could certainly afford to add a potential difference-maker at wide receiver, or some depth pieces at tight end and running back. We don’t think they should put themselves into a box, though, as there are plenty of potential cornerstone guys who could be available in the middle rounds.

Alfred Collins is one of them, but does it make sense to continue adding at a spot where you’ve dedicated so many resources?

No, it probably doesn’t.

The Patriots might not be able to help themselves, though.

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OVERVIEW

Collins is just the latest in a suddenly long line of high-ceiling defensive line prospects to come out of Texas, joining the likes of Byron Murphy II, T’Vondre Sweat and Vernon Broughton.

It’s no surprise, either.

Collins was a raw five-star recruit when he first stepped foot on campus, and while it took a bit for him to get going due to the presence of Murphy and Sweat, his eventual breakthrough was enough to earn second-team All-American honors in 2024. We saw him play his best football by the time the college football playoff rolled around, where his ability to create havoc took center stage in the form of pass deflections and pressures.

The Longhorns helped turn him into a productive player, but there’s still room for him to grow — which is frightening for the teams who don’t end up drafting him.

NFL SCOUTING COMBINE

Collins is a mammoth human being.

Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 332lbs
Hand: 10″
Arm: 34 5/8″

Vertical Jump: 26″
Broad Jump: 8′

STRENGTHS

Collins’ biggest strength comes from his ability to generate power, as he can put his weight behind those long arms and control the bodies of his opponents before they ever get a grip on him. We placed a lofty comparison on him for that very reason because strength and length usually don’t disappear until a guy hits his mid-30s.

Texas asked him to do a ton of processing, and you can see marked improvement in that category as each season passed.

The NFL historically values guys who can make a difference on special teams, too, a category in which our subject fits perfectly. Collins blocked multiple kicks over the last two seasons while also becoming a pass-deflection machine during his senior season.

WEAKNESSES

Collins isn’t going to beat anyone laterally, which puts him in a box because teams will presume there’s a ceiling on his potential because of his limited athleticism.

We can’t argue against that.

DOES HE FIT THE NEW DEFENSE IN NEW ENGLAND?

Collins is a modern-day two-gap player, with his ideal role being something similar to what Davon Godchaux did during his time in New England.

The Patriots obviously don’t need anyone like that anymore.

New England defensive coordinator Terrell Williams will deploy some new ideologies during his transition into calling plays, as the plan is to bring speed and aggression to his front line. Collins can do that, but not better than guys who are already in the building — Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, etc. It’s a shame, but he isn’t a fit.

If you’d like more individual profiles, check out the full series and follow @KeaganStiefel on X.