What to do with the 4th pick in the Draft? The four players to watch at the NFL Combine if you are a Patriots fan

The NFL Scouting Combine officially begins on Sunday, bringing 329 promising players to Indianapolis for pre-draft workouts and interviews - and the New England Patriots have pick number four.

But it’s no easy game, and the Patriots have plenty of avenues they could potentially head down, with various positions in need of a potential refresh. Couple that with the large pool of extraordinary talent, and you’ve got yourself a healthy plate of NFL debate.

Pick number 1 - Abdul Carter (Penn State)

Speaking of talent, Edge rusher Abdul Carter of Penn State is the name on everyone’s list ahead of the Combine. Given his popularity and potential, it is not expected that Carter will still be available when it comes to the Patriots' turn to stick their hand in the pot, but he is the clear standout.

At 6-foot-3, the 255-pound player, who NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called “one of the best units in the league”, put up 18.5% of his pass-rush snaps as a senior, as well as making 10 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss.

Travis Hunter (Colorado)

The 6-1, 185-pound cornerback/wide receiver is an interesting talent who finished with 96 catches for 1,258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 36 tackles - all as a junior.

A player who has been likened to both DeVonta Smith and Darius Slay, Hunter was also on the lips of the pundits, sweeping up the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp award, Paul Hornung award, Fred Biletnikoff award, and unanimous first-team All-America honours.

He logged over 1,500 unofficial snaps in 2024 as a wide receiver and corner on a full-time basis.

Will Campbell (LSU)

While the first two picks may be obvious in terms of talent, taking a punt on Campbell must be a priority in terms of positioning. Across 38 games in three years for LSU, The Offensive tackle made headlines after going an impressive 24-game stint without letting one sack go.

Campbell started 12 games in the previous campaign, allowing only two sacks in 557 pass-blocking snaps. “Good luck finding a left tackle more reliable play in and play out than Campbell”, said CBS' analyst Ryan Wilson.

Mason Graham (Michigan)

The 6-3, 320-pound Defensive tackle was a unanimous All-American in 2024, managing 3½ sacks and nine quarterback hits as a senior last season.

“He’s got crazy, elite leverage, balance, and instincts,” Jeremiah said when analysing the options for the Patriots. “He’s just never on the ground. He gets underneath guys.”

“Graham is a fiery, active interior pass rusher with great technique and the burst needed to be a difference-maker at the 3-technique,” ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote.

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Graham finished with 24 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 34 pressures, and 30 run stops; the Patriots were last in sacks (28) in 2024.

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