Patriots-Centric Studs, Duds From Senior Bowl Week

The Patriots will soon put the finishing touches on an important week down in Mobile, Ala.

New England will stick around to attend the 2025 Senior Bowl on Saturday, but the real work already concluded. Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden and several other scouts and executives were in attendance at Hancock Whitney Stadium throughout the week to attend practices — which is where the primary scouting is done for the collegiate all-star event.

NESN’s Keagan Stiefel (that’s me), Travis Thomas and George Balekji discussed prospects who stood out on Friday’s episode of “Foxboro Rush” and we’ll delve into the former’s selections a bit more before the game kicks off:

STUDS

OL Grey Zabel

Zabel looked like the best player on the field at certain points this week, with perhaps the most impressive aspect of his performance being consistency. North Dakota State’s most important player across their most recent championship run is now poised to be picked in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.

New England will almost certainly appreciate his versatility, but questions about whether he’s a true fit at tackle could make it a difficult decision should he remain on the board into Day 2.

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EDGE Mike Green

Green straight-up bullied people throughout the week. Marshall hasn’t been a hotbed for talent in recent seasons, but there’s a real chance this guy is selected within the first few picks of the second round.

WR Jayden Higgins

Higgins’ blend of size and athleticism within his routes is truly impressive. Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan are often viewed as the two best wide receivers in this class, but there’s a legitimate chance this dude ends up topping the list after a few seasons.

The Patriots should focus on veteran receiver help, but if they want to swing big on Day 2, this is the way to do it.

OT Josh Conerly

Conerly is the guy who got bullied by Green, but it seemed like he won every single other rep he took across three practices. The Patriots could want to take the best player available at No. 4, and if they do, it could open up the door for a trade back into the first round where they target someone like Conerly or the next man on our list.

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OT Aireontae Ersery

Ersery is big and mean, which is exactly what you’re looking for out of a right tackle. The Patriots might not be able to afford taking on a project, but there’s a lot to like about this guy.

DT Darius Alexander

Alexander was the best player at the 2025 Senior Bowl.

It’s almost a tradition that we get a dominant defensive lineman to come through the all-star circuit and shock people with how good they are, and the latest is some dude out of Toledo that turned everyone’s heads. Aaron Donald, Cameron Jordan, Brandon Graham and Braden Fiske all did it, could Alexander be next?

DUDS

QB Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel should have been the best quarterback of the week, you know, given the fact that played in more college football games than anyone else at those practices. He wasn’t and will be lucky to be picked before Day 3.

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QB Jalen Milroe

Milroe just isn’t and NFL-caliber quarterback.

WR Jalen Royals

Royals is a really good player, but he struggled to find his footing routinely against a step-up in talent. The Patriots don’t need any more projects at wide receiver.

You can listen to the latest episode of “Foxboro Rush” on YouTube and Spotify.

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