Patriots Need To Have These NFL Combine Winners High On Draft Board

The Patriots might be disappointed leaving Indianapolis.

After all, the measurables of Will Campbell and Mason Graham were not great during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. Campbell and Graham were widely believed to be the leaders for New England’s fourth overall pick. Now, there’s uncertainty whether either are worthy of such selection.

It’s not all bad news, however. There still were a handful of prospects who emerged as NFL scouting combine winners.

We’ve highlighted eight of those players, who should now be cemented high on New England’s draft board, as discussed on NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast released Monday.

Armand Membou, OT
Campbell’s lack of length could cause some teams to feel he’s more suitable as an NFL guard. If so, Membou could benefit as the top tackle in the class. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Membou as his eighth-best prospect entering the combine, and that might rise following his showing in Indy. He not only exceeded the 33-inch arm threshold by measuring 33 1/2 inches with an 82-inch wingspan, but he also ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds.

Shemar Stewart, Edge
The Texas A&M product didn’t go through position drills due to a tweaked hamstring, but made the most of his testing. Among the defensive line at the combine, Stewart’s 10-foot-11-inch broad jump ranked first, his 40-inch vertical ranked second and his 40-yard dash (4.59) ranked second. For the Patriots, Stewart might have improved his stock too much as he’s now less likely to be on the board in the second round.

Matthew Golden, WR
The Texas product locked himself into the first round as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any wide receiver (4.29). His size (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) doesn’t jump off the page, but his speed and route-running savviness will have teams jumping at him. The Patriots might have to do just that as it’s unlikely Golden lasts until No. 38 overall.

Aireontae Ersery, OT
The Minnesota product is 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, but still ran a 5.01 40-yard dash. He covered the first 10 yards in 1.75 seconds. That’s impressive athleticism from a from the big man. It marked the fastest 40-yard time by an offensive lineman that is at least 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds since 2003, per NFL+. New England would be in a good spot if Ersery fell to 38th, but there’s a chance the Patriots will need to trade up to get him in the backend of the first or early second round.

Jayden Higgins, WR
The first of two Iowa State receiver products to show out, Higgins could very well be in the conversation when the Patriots are on the clock in the second round. Higgins (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) showed off his athleticism with his 40-yard dash (4.47), vertical jump (39 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-8). His overall score ranked fourth while his athleticism score ranked fifth among wideouts at the combine.

Jaylin Noel, WR
Equally as impressive as Higgins was his Iowa State teammate. Noel was stellar in Indianapolis with his 40-yard dash (4.39), vertical jump (41.5 inches) and three-cone drill (6.82). His total score ranked behind Higgins (eighth) but athleticism score ranked third among wideouts at the combine. Noel (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) won’t be the Patriots selection at fourth overall, but could be a real value on Day 2.

James Pearce Jr., Edge
Pearce measured at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds and showed his impressive speed with a 4.47 40-yard dash, which included a 1.56 10-yard split. His total score ranked fourth among edge rushers who competed at the combine, per Next Gen Stats. Pearce, however, wasn’t as impressive with a 31-inch vertical and didn’t take part in the three-cone drill. That might be something evaluators want to see at Tennessee’s Pro Day.

Jared Wilson, C
Allow us a deep dive: Wilson’s testing metrics combined for a 9.98 relative athletic score (out of possible 10.00), per Kent Lee Platte. It ranks second out of 622 centers since 1987. Lol. The Georgia product posted a 4.84 40-yard dash and topped out at 21.04 miles per hour, per Next Gen Stats. He covered the first 10 yards in 1.72 seconds. Given New England’s long-term uncertainty at center, Wilson would make plenty of sense in the middle rounds.

Check out the full conversation on NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” on YouTube and Spotify.