The New England Patriots had a great season in 2025, but there are some roster spots that could be upgraded. Two of the main positions that are needed are edge rusher and linebacker. They unfortunately don’t have a pick in the Draft until the very end of the first round. After losing the Super Bowl, they sit at pick thirty-one, which would lead many to believe they will miss out on a lot of the elite talent in the Draft. However, some of the best value picks in this Draft will be made in the late first round, most of the second round, and a lot of the third round. This is perfect for the Patriots since they have a good amount of flexibility in the Draft, and there is one player that has consistently stuck out to me for New England in the middle rounds, potentially even as high as the second or third round. LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. has been on my radar recently. There are quite a few things to consider when discussing Perkins Jr., and his potential fit in Foxborough, so let’s dive in.
Is Perkins Jr. an elite talent?
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Harold Perkins celebrates a defensive stop (Photo Courtesy of The Reveille/Chynna McClinton)
Harold Perkins Jr. was considered one of the best players in the nation just a couple seasons ago, but after an ACL tear, he seemed to fall off many people’s radar. It took Perkins some time to get back from his injury, and once he did he had some different struggles in pass coverage and getting off his blocks. These are issues that should be easily fixable in an NFL program, with the support of an NFL coaching staff. When Perkins was a freshman at LSU, he was projected as a first round talent, and with good reason. He was a game wrecker in Baton Rouge, and consistently made game changing plays, so if a team like the Patriots believes that is the real version of Perkins, we could see them do whatever it takes to get him to Foxborough.
What are the strengths of Perkins Jr.?
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LSU linebacker Harold Perkins (40) reacts after a defensive stop against Mississippi State (Photo Courtesy of WAFB/Josh Auzenne)
Perkins has elite speed and athleticism, which he consistently showed off at LSU. He was sent after opposing quarterbacks on a lot of different blitz packages and he almost always made an impact. With his ability to constantly pressure the passer, and wreak havoc in the backfield, opposing offenses need to account for his presence on every play. When you turn on his tape, he is like a heat-seeking missile, with flashes of similarity to 49ers linebacker Fred Warner. Warner is arguably the best linebacker in the NFL, which just goes to show how exciting the potential of Perkins is. If New England can land Perkins, I have all the confidence in the world that Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff will be able to help Perkins maximize his potential, and become a star at the next level.
How will the LSU star fit into the Patriots defense?
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Nov 11, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (4) tackles Florida Gators wide receiver Marcus Burke (88) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Perkins can make an impact in a lot of different positions on the defense. He has elite pass rush skills, as well as great playmaking ability in the open field. Allowing him to play alongside current Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane, would have huge benefits for not only the New England defense, but for Perkins as well. Perkins is still a very young prospect at twenty-one years old, so he still has a lot of developing and learning to do. Spillane is one of the best leaders on the New England roster, and having him mentor Perkins could do wonders for the LSU star. He will be able to grow and maximize his potential by playing alongside Spillane by complementing Spillane’s playstyle. Spillane is a big, strong enforcer in the middle of the defense, while Perkins is on the smaller side with more speed and agility. These two together could seriously have an instant impact next season, and will hopefully develop into one of the best linebacker tandems in the entire league. One of the first comparisons that comes to mind is a couple seasons ago when Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw were on the 49ers together and were near unstoppable. This is the exact type of dynamic that Patriots fans should be hopeful for if Perkins comes to Foxborough.
Another way Perkins could fit into the Patriots defense is as a pass rusher. Putting him on the edge in certain packages, as well as scheming up different blitzes for him could be one of the best ways to use him. His burst and speed off the ball make him a nightmare for offensive linemen to block, and scheming up different ways to give him a path to the quarterback could have huge upside for New England. Perkins is an all around weapon that could give the Patriots even more star power on the defensive side of the ball. If he reaches his maximum potential, a defense that consists of Milton Williams, Christian Gonzalez, Christian Barmore, and Harold Perkins Jr., would have the Patriots in the nightmares of opposing quarterbacks for the foreseeable future.
Where could the Patriots realistically draft Perkins Jr.?
New England Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf speaks during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The LSU star was projected as a potential top ten pick after his breakout freshman season. But after a torn ACL, and a couple following seasons that never lived up to the hype of his freshman year, he has drastically fallen down draft boards. Some project him as a fourth round pick, while others say the second round is more likely, but if the Patriots like him as a prospect and fit into their scheme, they shouldn’t wait around. Perkins could even go as high as the end of the first round, but if he falls into the second or third round, then New England should be aggressive in pursuing him. I believe the Patriots are one of the best landing spots for Perkins, not only because he is a talented player that could contribute to the defense immediately, but also because Mike Vrabel is one of the best coaches in the NFL, and could help Perkins maximize his potential. Overall, if the Patriots can land Perkins Jr., it could turn into one of the steals of the 2026 Draft.