Welcome to the Patriots Prospect Preview, our annual series where we talk about the club’s future picks before literally anyone else! I can’t believe we made it to Week 6.
The New England Patriots are quite literally the only show left in town, but they don’t play on Saturdays…
I don’t believe in apple picking, pumpkin patches and winery dates, however, which is why we’ve been talking college ball for nearly two months now — and we’re excited to welcome an entirely new audience now that baseball is over around these parts.
If you’ve been paying attention throughout the last several weeks, you’d know we have tight ends to watch! I’ve got three more for you, as well as a couple wild cards entering this weekend’s slate:
Joe Royer (#11), TE, Cincinnati
Week 6: vs. Iowa State (12 p.m. ET on ESPN2)
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I’ve decided that this will be the week of the tight end, with three draft-eligible prospects all taking part in some big-time matchups on Saturday.
Joe Royer will be the first one we see, as the one-time Ohio State Buckeye has become an offensive force since transferring to the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Royer is a fluid athlete who can easily win one-on-one matchups with linebackers, while carrying some versatility after working in the backfield at times during his first several collegiate seasons. It’ll be interesting to see what his testing numbers look like, but the young man certainly knows how to play the position and appears ready to contribute in the passing game at the next level — though system fit will be important.
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I don’t necessarily know where to place him in terms of prospect rankings — as there are plenty of guys at the position with higher ceilings, but the tape suggests he should be in consideration on Day 2.
Jack Endries (#88), TE, Texas
Week 6: @ Florida (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Texas has produced some quality tight ends in recent seasons, with Jack Endries serving as the latest alongside the likes of Gunnar Helm and Ja’Tavion Sanders.
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Endries arrived this offseason after a considerable run with the California Golden Bears, which saw him put together two incredible seasons after initially joining the club as a walk-on.
I don’t necessarily know how to feel about the player just yet, but this is a good test as he’ll almost certainly be relied upon as quarterback Arch Manning faces another stiff test in the Florida Gators.
Endries is a good, not great, athlete who needs to display more value as a contributor in the running game — which is what I’ll be watching for over the course of the next few months.
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Eli Stowers (#9), TE, Vanderbilt
Week 6: @ Alabama (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Eli Stowers is the final tight end we’ll talk about today, and just so happens to be the very best.
Stowers is the top target for quarterback Diego Pavia, who he has played with each of the last three seasons across stunts at New Mexico State and Vanderbilt — making the transition from slinging passes himself during his first two collegiate seasons at Texas A&M.
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It’s a weird journey, but one that has been totally worth it for Stowers — one of the consensus top tight ends set to enter the draft.
I’ll be interested to see if he and his running mate can capture the same magic for a second consecutive season against Alabama. Stowers is the real deal, and will need to show up in a big way in order to do so.
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Darrell Jackson Jr. (#6), DL, Florida State
Week 6: vs. Miami (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
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Florida State has been one of the more surprising programs in the country, with their pro-ready wide receivers and brash veteran quarterback making most of the headlines — but the difference this season is due to their defensive upgrades.
Darrell Jackson Jr. has been one of that unit’s constants, however, and has a big opportunity ahead of him against his former team — the Miami Hurricanes.
I, for one, am excited to see how the veteran looks in his final shot to make a significant impression.
Akheem Mesidor (#3), DL, Miami
Week 6: @ Florida State (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Akheem Mesidor is the running mate of Rueben Bain Jr. — who we’ve touched on recently.
Mesidor is one of the more underrated talents scheduled to take part in the prime time matchup, having totaled 25.5 sacks over the course of his career — the most of anyone in that contest.
The Patriots haven’t put many resources into drafting veteran defensive lineman over the last several seasons, but it has been a good strategy for other teams.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner and Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Thomas Booker have been extremely useful players, and entered their respective drafts in similar positions.
If you’d like to hear about any prospects in particular, leave us a comment or send a note @KeaganStiefel on X!