The New England Patriots could have their eyes on one of the hottest running backs in college football when No. 18 Missouri takes on No. 7 Texas in a huge SEC showdown Saturday afternoon. With the 2027 NFL Draft on the horizon, Jamal Roberts is a name Patriots fans should get familiar with, especially given the team's uncertainty at the running back position.
While the Patriots have been leaning on veteran Rhamondre Stevenson and have gotten solid production from Corey Kiner so far this season, there is still a lack of consistency at the position. With 2025 second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson dealing with health issues, finding another reliable option could become a priority.
In previous mock drafts, I've had the Patriots eyeing Florida Gators standout Jadan Baugh in the first round, but Roberts is emerging as an intriguing mid-round alternative. Already over 1,000 rushing yards on the season, the Missouri standout has a chance to put NFL scouts on notice against one of the toughest defenses in the nation.
Why Jamal Roberts' matchup vs. Texas should have Patriots' attention
Roberts has been one of the most productive running backs in college football this season, but Saturday's matchup against the Longhorns could be his biggest test yet, especially while he struggled to get going against another tough defense in Ole Miss who limited Roberts to just 39 yards on 20 attempts.
Texas is a tougher matchup and enters the allowing just 102.4 rushing yards per game, presenting a major challenge for a running back who has built his breakout season on physicality, vision and the ability to create yards after contact.
Coming off a 138-yard rushing performance against Arkansas, Roberts has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark. He also has two 200-yard performances this season, showing the ability to take over games when Missouri leans on its rushing attack.
Make that two touchdowns today for @0fficialmal20 https://t.co/XqPtVtJcyr pic.twitter.com/yymk5RH9Qg
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) October 10, 2026
For the Patriots, the intrigue is whether Roberts can showcase that same punishing running style against a defense loaded with NFL talent. Another dominant performance could send his 2027 NFL Draft stock even higher.
Jamal Roberts is emerging as a 2027 NFL Draft sleeper
Our own John Blair first highlighted Roberts as a 2027 NFL Draft riser in early October, noting his impressive burst, vision and ability to attack running lanes with power and consistency.
Blair wrote:
"His vision stands out, as he consistently finds small running lanes and is averaging more than five yards per carry, while his burst allows him to reach top speed quickly."
At the time, Blair moved Roberts from an undrafted free agent grade to a sixth-round grade on his 2027 NFL Draft board. Given his production since then, it's fair to wonder just how much higher the Missouri standout could climb.
For New England, finding a running back with that combination of physicality and production in the middle rounds could be a smart alternative to investing another premium pick at the position.
Could Jamal Roberts eventually replace Rhamondre Stevenson?
Stevenson has been a workhorse throughout his Patriots career, particularly with his ability to pass protect and pick up tough yards. But New England should already be thinking about his eventual successor.
If Henderson remains an integral piece of the Patriots' future, Roberts could provide the thunder to Henderson's lightning in the offense. I've previously explored how Jadan Baugh could transform New England's backfield, but Roberts could offer a more affordable draft alternative while giving the Patriots another physical runner between the tackles.
The Patriots don't necessarily need to replace Stevenson in the short term, but they should be keeping an eye on a long-term option, a player who can learn and grow behind Stevenson until he is ready to take over the lead workhorse role.
In rounding this up, Roberts could be one of those mid-round gems in the 2027 NFL Draft, and a strong showing against Texas would only make his case that much stronger.
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