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 7.
The New England Patriots play on Sunday.
I don;t leaving the house on Saturday.
I’ve given you this entire spiel for weeks now, so if you’re clicking on this story, you know the deal. It’s time for some more college football prospects to watch while you avoid doing things this weekend:
Arvell Reese (#8), LB, Ohio State
Week 7: @ Illinois (12 p.m. ET on FOX)
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Arvell Reese has been compared to both Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower — and for good reason.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, the common denominator between those three, has essentially carved out a pair of versatile roles for his two stud linebackers — Reese and Sonny Styles.
Reese entered this season as one of the more undervalued players on what has turned out to be the best defense in the country, but quickly established himself as their most important chess piece and a future top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has talked to folks who view the eventual first-round selection as one of the best defensive players in the sport and a potential game-wrecker at the next level.
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The Patriots likely won’t be in position to take the 6-foot-4, 243-pound linebacker, but the parallels between him and some franchise legends will be fun for you folks to watch.
Caleb Downs (#2), S, Ohio State
Week 7: @ Illinois (12 p.m. ET on FOX)
I don’t know if we’re paying enough attention to the fact that Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson and Kyle Dugger probably aren’t the right trio moving forward…
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The Patriots need to add some young depth at the position, which has been a great move for other franchises.
New Orleans Saints rookie Jonas Sanker has been tremendous during his rookie season. Atlanta Falcons rookies Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. have been even better.
Caleb Downs is the first of three options we’ll talk about today, serving as one of the more respected players in the entire country for his instincts and on-field intelligence— which were on display during his time at both Alabama and Ohio State. I’d throw the “Devin McCourty” tag on him if that weren’t so unfairly lofty.
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J.C. Davis (#74), OL, Illinois
Week 7: vs. Ohio State (12 p.m. ET on FOX)
New England is in need of a long-term solution opposite Will Campbell.
Morgan Moses has been more than serviceable during the first five weeks of the season, but he’s coming close to the end of his career and will need to be replaced at some point over the next couple of seasons.
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J.C. Davis could be that guy, having made significant jumps from Contra Costa College to New Mexico to Illinois. Davis is a favorite of PFF, posting top-eight grades as both a run blocker and pass blocker over the course of the last two seasons.
If you’re looking for reliability, this feels like one of the better options.
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Keon Sabb (#3), S, Alabama
Week 7: @ Missouri (12 p.m. ET on ABC)
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Keon Sabb is the closest thing there is to Caleb Downs, which is funny because he essentially replaced the guy at Alabama.
New England likely won’t be in the position to take a first0round safety, but perhaps they do the next best thing and grab one in the second?
Matayo Uiagaleilei (#10), DL, Oregon
Week 7: vs. Indiana (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS)
D.J. Uiagaleilei turned out to stink.
Matayo Uiagaleilei almost certainly will not.
Uiagaleilei — the younger one — has much better prospects heading into his professional career, leading the way for a defensive front that ranks sixth in defensive stop rate (81.4%) and seventh in total yards allowed per game (238.2).
I’d draft that guy, especially if he falls into the second round.
Michael Taaffe (#16), S, Texas
Week 7: vs. Oklahoma (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Michael Taaffe isn’t as versatile as the previous safety options we mentioned, but he’s definitely talented enough to occupy a robber role within a defense, especially one that has two lockdown cornerbacks that can allow you to be risky with your coverages.
Taaffe will only fit the mold of certain teams, but given the specific needs at One Patriot Place, I wouldn’t rule him out as a potential option.
If you’d like to hear about any prospects in particular, leave us a comment or send a note @KeaganStiefel on X!