Saturday’s Reese’s Senior Bowl will provide one last opportunity for draft-eligible prospects to showcase their skills prior to the NFL Combine in March and the NFL Draft in April.

The week also presents an opportunity for NFL teams to connect with potential draft targets on a deeper level through individual meetings throughout the week. And the Patriots, led by new head coach Mike Vrabel, have been hard at work assessing players as they look to improve their team.

Here are eight prospects to watch during the Senior Bowl, all of which have had interviews with the Patriots during the practice week leading up to the game.

WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Wide receiver was one of New England’s weakest groups on its roster last season, ranking dead-last in the NFL in just about every meaningful category. So, it’s no surprise that New England is studying up on some of the best receivers available in the upcoming draft class.

While many of the top-graded receivers opted out of the Senior Bowl, Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins is one of the top names participating and showcasing his skills.

Higgins is the No. 73 ranked draft prospect according to ESPN, and the 12th ranked wide receiver. He projects to be a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft; the Patriots have three selections on Day 2: (38, 69, and 77 overall).

Higgins racked up 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns for the Cyclones in 2024.

OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

ESPN ranks Josh Conerly as the No. 20 overall prospect and No. 3 tackle prospect — even giving him an edge over standout OT Will Campbell — making Conerly the highest-ranked player New England interviewed at the Senior Bowl practices.

Conerly’s high ranking would make it difficult for the Patriots to select him unless they either trade up from their second-round pick or down for No. 4 overall. But, offensive tackle is another major need for Vrabel’s Patriots, so it makes sense the new regime checked in on one of the most promising prospects.

EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas

Continuing with the trend of “interview the best players at the biggest positions of need,” the Patriots had a meeting with edge rusher Landon Jackson during the practice week as well.

Consensus top-edge rusher Abdul Carter has been mocked as a potential target for New England with its No. 4 overall pick, but there’s no guarantee the Penn State star will even fall to fourth in the upcoming draft.

If the Patriots don’t land Carter, Jackson would be a formidable add and projects as a Day 2 pick (No. 50 overall, 10th ranked EDGE).

“That interview went well,” Jackson said of his interview with New England. “They were just asking about my background, where I came from. Just kind of getting to know me a little bit. So, it was pretty cool.”

The Patriots also checked in on South Carolina edge Kyle Kennard, who holds a similar ranking (No. 12 EDGE, No. 70 overall) from ESPN’s prospects page.

TE Mason Taylor, LSU

For the moment, the Patriots are in a good situation with their tight end group, which was arguably the team’s strongest offensive grouping outside of Drake Maye at quarterback.

However, Hunter Henry is 30 and 2024 backup Austin Hooper is both 30 and a free agent. So, it wouldn’t hurt to start thinking about the future at that position, and LSU’s Mason Taylor could be exactly that.

Taylor is the No. 3 ranked tight end (No. 77 overall prospect) and could thrive in Foxborough with Henry’s veteran presence guiding him. Taylor caught 55 balls for 546 yards in 2024. Despite his large frame (6-foot-5, 255 pounds) which could be an asset in the red zone, the LSU product only caught two touchdowns in his final season of college football.

OT Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College

Not only could Ozzy Trapilo be a Day 3 gem at offensive tackle, but he’d welcome a call from Mike Vrabel with open arms on draft day.

Trapilo grew up in New England and went to Boston College, and noted while at the Senior Bowl that it would be a dream to play for the Patriots.

“It would mean a lot to me,” Trapilo said. “Being a fan growing up, it would be special for sure.”

At 6-foot-8, 320 pounds, Trapilo possesses ideal size to protect the edge, and with the right development, could become a starting-caliber tackle. He could be worth using a later-round selection on to add more potential into an offensive line that needs some serious work.

RB RJ Harvey, UCF

The 2025 NFL Draft class is deep at the running back position, and RJ Harvey is among the backs hoping to hear his name called on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.

New England has checked in on Harvey at the Senior Bowl, and could possibly be in the market for a running back with one of its later-round selections.

Rhamondre Stevenson has been the lead back in Foxborough for a few seasons, but had issues with ball security last season, and bringing some fresh blood into the backfield could be a positive for the group overall.

DB Jonas Sanker, Virginia

Jonas Sanker is the No. 8 ranked safety prospect according to ESPN, and although that position isn’t among the more pressing needs for the Patriots, scouts have still checked on the No. 95 overall prospect out of Virginia.

Sanker is hoping to improve his draft position and stand out more with a good showing on Saturday. As it stands, he’s projected to be taken late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the draft.

“Improve. Leave a good impression, and be the best safety here,” Sanker said of his goals for the week.

LB Eugene Asante, Auburn

Eugene Asante is not a highly touted name at the Senior Bowl, but his stock could rise if he finishes off the week strong with a solid showing during Saturday’s game.

The Auburn product might not hear his name called in the draft; his prospect profile but if he doesn’t, he could be a strong candidate to sign somewhere as an undrafted free agent.

“I understand what the Senior Bowl brings and I just want to come out here and compete with my peers,” Asante said.

New England could be searching for some linebacker reinforcements after last year’s group struggled once Ja’Whaun Bentley suffered a season-ending injury.

Saturday’s Senior Bowl kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will air on NFL Network.