As both executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL Combine, the edge position is one of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots.
Even after signing Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year deal on the first day of free agency, that remains true. Jones is expected to start opposite of Harold Landry, but the veteran’s ability after an injury plagued season is TBD. And after losing K’Lavon Chaisson and Anfernee Jennings in free agency, just second-year
players Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson remain as top secondary options on the depth chart.
That being said, the Patriots adding to the group early in the NFL Draft seems like a foregone conclusion based on the offseason so far. And if they do, Auburn’s Keyron Crawford looks like a candidate to be brought aboard.
Hard facts
Name: Keyron Crawford
Position: Edge rusher
School: Auburn (Sr.)
Opening day age: 22 (10/17/2003)
Measurements: 6’4”, 253 lbs, 32” arm length, 9” hand size, N/A Relative Athletic Score
Experience
College: Arkansas State (2022-23), Auburn (2024-25)
Career statistics: 47 games | 1,691 defensive snaps, 149 special teams snaps | 116 total tackles, 24.0 TFLs, 3 FFs, 3 FR | 113 quarterback pressures (11.5 sacks, 22 hits, 77 hurries) | 1 INT, 2 PDs | 9 penalties
Accolades: Third-team All-SEC (2025)
A high school basketball standout, Crawford did not start playing football until his senior season. The talent was apparent immediately as he was named regional defensive MVP and committed to Arkansas State as a three-star recruit. Crawford played 23 games over his first two seasons for the Red Wolves — including starting all 13 games his sophomore season — and recorded 10.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. After the 2023 season, Crawford transferred to Auburn University.
Joining the Tigers defense, Crawford took on a rotational role before becoming a full-time starter his senior season. Starting all 12 games along the edge, Crawford tallied 9.5 TFL and 5.0 sacks (18.3% pass rush win rate) while ranking fourth in the SEC with a career-high 43 pressures. After earning Third Team All-SEC honors, Crawford committed to the NFL Draft and accepted his invite to the NFL Combine (but did not test) and Senior Bowl.
Draft profile
Projected round: 2-3 | Consensus big board: No. 99 | Patriots meeting: Combine
Strengths: A strong athlete along the edge, Crawford fires off the line of scrimmage with an explosive first step and has good bend to get around tackles. He has active hands as his pass rush plan is primarily built around cross-chops (below), a two-hand swipe, and rips. Crawford is versatile along the front seven and plays with plenty of effort and energy which shows in his hunt after quarterbacks and fighting against bigger lineman in the run game.
Weaknesses: While Crawford’s measurements at 6-foot-4, 253 pounds fall in line with what the Patriots have predominantly prioritized along the edge under Mike Vrabel, he came in with just an 8th percentile arm length. His effort in the run game allows him to survive at times but his build will likely limit him against NFL offensive lineman. And still new to football, Crawford will need to continue developing his rush plan and counters — although he has flashed an inside move at times to continue to build off of.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? Crawford would immediately join the Patriots edge rotation as likely the third player behind aforementioned starters Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones. He would be penciled in to make his initial impact on passing downs while his versatility could allow him to see some early-down snaps in an adjuster role.
Does he have positional versatility? Beyond rushing over both tackles, Crawford was very versatile for the Tigers defense. He was occasionally asked to drop into coverage and line up as the overhang — almost as a slot/nickel defender. He was also a regular on field goal block for most of his collegiate career and recorded a blocked kick in 2023.
What is his growth potential? As Crawford did not start playing football until his senior season of high school, there remains significant room for growth with further refinement of his pass-rush toolbox. He continued to get better throughout his collegiate career and that arrow should continue to point upwards as his best football is yet to come.
Why the Patriots? To start, edge remains the biggest need on the Patriots roster and Crawford has the skillset and build that matches many of the Patriots current pass rushers at 253 pounds. His play style and motor also fits that of a Mike Vrabel player while Crawford was reportedly a fan favorite of both teammates and staff members — highlighted by him being elected a game captain five times his senior season. They also met with the player at the Combine and were in attendance at the Auburn Pro Day.
Why not the Patriots? Crawford checks many boxes the Patriots look for at the position and as a player, but the lack of length is even below the standard of the smaller players already on the roster. New England could also address the edge with their first-round pick, but if not they could see Crawford’s name called in between their second and third selections.
One-sentence verdict: Crawford should only continue to get better as a player and already has the skillset to make him a worthy Day 2 selection.
For more information about Keyron Crawford and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about Crawford as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
