College football players to watch for: Week 6

It was a WILD week for us folks who follow the New England Patriots, but the weekend is finally here so we can all take a collective breath as we know we will at least get some college football this weekend! That’s right, it’s Week 6 and we’ve got a full slate of players and games that Patriots fans should be looking out for.

Before we get into our players from Week 6, let’s see how our guys from last week played.

Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

• The future first round pick had a rough performance in Texas’ 33-31 loss against TCU. Though he technically didn’t give up a sack, he was shaky at best in pass pro. He wasn’t much better in the run game as Texas totaled 103 yards from their running backs, and 49 from quarterback Sam Ehlinger who was running for his life all day. The ironic thing with this performance though is that the worse he plays and the more likely he falls in the draft, the better the chances he winds up in Foxborough.

Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

• Dylan Moses is a maniac. Despite only having four tackles in the box score, he had one hell of a performance last Saturday. He was back to his pre-injury form, flying around and being the bonafide leader of a great defense. The leadership is something you heard about a lot if you watched on Saturday, and it definitely shows. Also, this has nothing to do with his play but he gave one hell of a quote this week.

Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

• Unfortunately for Seth Williams, he is stuck in a system with not only an incompetent coach (Gus Malzahn) but one of the most overrated quarterbacks in college football in Bo Nix. Williams, one of the nation’s top receiving prospects, didn’t see a single target until the middle of the third quarter, where he had three catches. He left the game early in the fourth quarter.

Not a great week for me. Let’s see if we can redeem ourselves.

*Weekly Disclaimer* I am not predicting that the Patriots will draft any of these players, I am just connecting the dots on who may fit in New England.

Joseph Ossai, EDGE/LB, #22 Texas

• Matchup: vs. Oklahoma
• Gametime: 12:00pm
• Network: FOX

Joseph Ossai is one of my favorite players in the upcoming draft. He is as athletically gifted as they come, and looks like (6’3” 245 lbs) he was built in a linebacker factory. He’s versatile, instinctive, and grows as a football player every week.

The second level of the Patriots defense is not where it needs to be and there is uncertainty in the future with their leader Dont’a Hightower. Right now the focus on defense should be acquiring versatility to plug into their very unorthodox defense. Ossai fits that bill.

The Red River Showdown (Texas and Oklahoma’s yearly rivalry game) is one that everyone should watch every year. No matter how good or bad either team is this game always delivers. It is a great opportunity to show how well he can stand up to a top flight offense on a big stage.

Jordan Davis, DT, #3 Georgia

• Matchup: vs. #14 Tennessee
• Gametime: 3:30pm
• Network: CBS

Jordan Davis is 6’6”, 330 lbs and covered a tight end 10 yards down the field last week. He’s an athletic freak. He’s a classic 2-gap defensive tackle who shows good ability to overpower interior offensive lineman, especially in pass rush. He doesn’t have great feet but his tools are very good, footwork can be worked on.

I love Lawrence Guy as much as the next *ehem* guy but the defensive line is extremely thin right now, and will most likely be even more so next season. Guy and Adam Butler are free agents after this year and both are going to cash in, probably outside of New England, and Beau Allen is still toiling away on IR. They are going to need to sure up that IDL and Davis would represent a low risk high reward option.

He and his third ranked bulldogs will take on a revamped Tennessee offense who features two of the best guard prospects in the 2021 draft in Trey Smith and Cade Mays. No better opportunity than this week for Davis to show what he’s made of.

DeVonta Smith, WR, #2 Alabama

• Matchup: @ Ole Miss
• Gametime: 7:30pm
• Network: ESPN

I gave Smith out as a bonus two weeks ago but he deserves his own entry on this list. Smith is the most refined receiver playing college football this season and is due for a breakout game. He’s explosive, fearless, and extremely smart. Most importantly, he creates separation and makes plays.

What more can I say about the Patriots needing wide receivers? There is an obvious need and this man can fill it, the question lies in whether or not he’s someone the Patriots can reach with their draft position. I think the Patriots have more than enough ammunition to move up and make this pick. Will they do it?

No. Should they? Yes.

Ole Miss isn’t a world beater by any stretch of the imagination but they’re good. Smith should have a monster game against their secondary.