Patriots Draft Profile: Romello Height Is Speed-rushing His Way Up Draft Boards

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 as he continues his rehab process. 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, Texas Tech’s Romello Height may be under consideration.

Hard facts

Name: Romello Height

Position: Edge rusher

School: Texas Tech

Opening day age: 25 (4/13/2001)

Measurements: 6’3”, 239 lbs, 32 148” arm length, 9 1/2” hand size, 4.64 40-yard dash, 1.63 10-yard split, 39” vertical, 10’ 5” broad, 8.82 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

College: Auburn University (2020-21), USC (2022-23), Georgia Tech (2024), Texas Tech (2025)

Career statistics: 48 games | 1,645 defensive snaps, 186 special teams snaps | 11 total tackles, 27.0 TFLs, 4 FFs, 2 FR | 131 quarterback pressures (16 sacks, 24 hits, 91 hurries) | 1 PD | 4 penalties

Accolades: First-team All-Big 12 (2025)

A three-star recruit out of Georgia, Height committed to the Miami Hurricanes before flipping his commitment to Auburn. After playing just 14 snaps in 2020, Height appeared in nine games as a rotational rusher his second season before entering the transfer portal.

After committing too USC, Height played just two games due to a shoulder injury. Returning to action in 2023 he appeared in 12 games for the Trojans and recorded 4.0 sacks before entering the portal yet again.

Height then spent the 2024 season with Georgia Tech and played a key role along the edge for the Yellow Jackets. He recorded 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles — none more noticeable than a game-sealing strip sack against Cam Ward and the No. 4 ranked Hurricanes in Week 11.

With one final year of eligibility, Height transferred for the third time to play for Texas Tech. He had a career-year on a loaded Red Raiders defense recording highs in snaps (598), pressures (62), sacks (10.0) and TFL (11.5). Height then entered the NFL Draft and attended the Combine.

Draft profile

Projected round: 2-3 | Consensus big board: No. 83 | Patriots meeting: 30 visit

Strengths: Height is a speed-rusher whose game is built around his athletic profile that featured elite explosive and great speed grades at the NFL Combine. He can quickly move laterally and has a quick first-step to shoot past tackles along the outside and counters that with a spin plus other inside moves. Height’s rush plan is predominately built around his strong hands as he featured a plethora of swipes and rips, while he also reportedly showed some speed-to-power potential at the Senior Bowl. Height plays with energy and a hot motor.

Weaknesses: Height will turn 25 years old two weeks before the draft and his background is worth monitoring as he had four stops (!) in college — likely part of the reason New England wanted to host him on a 30 visit. He only recorded 6.5 sacks over his first five collegiate seasons before an age-24 breakout playing opposite of projected top-five pick David Bailey on a talented Red Raiders defense. And as a speed rusher, Height’s size is a concern at 239 pounds that will limit him as a run defender.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? Height’s athleticism and ability to get after opposing quarterbacks (he finished last season with the 4th highest pressure rate, 23.5%, and 3rd fastest average time to pressure, 2.9s, in the FBS) would be a welcome addition to New England’s current depth chart. With Dre’Mont Jones and Harold Landry currently at the top of that group, Height could take over as the No. 3 rusher with an immediate role on passing downs.

Does he have positional versatility? Throughout all of his college stops, it was rare to find Height anywhere but rushing the passer as an outside linebacker off the tackle. That’s his role at the next level while he occasionally dropped into coverage and took on special teams roles.

What is his growth potential? Already 25 years old, Height’s ceiling is likely limited especially as he is not expected to be an every-down player at 239 pounds — which was up from his 234 pound weigh-in at the Senior Bowl. He projects best as a No. 3 rotational rusher who could have a similar impact as K’Lavon Chaisson did last year as a pass rusher.

Why the Patriots? The Patriots current edge group lacks the explosiveness that Height would bring when getting after opposing quarterbacks. That in itself should make him an option on day two of the draft.

Why not the Patriots? Height’s 239-pound build makes him even smaller than some of the undersized rushers New England has brought in under Mike Vrabel (around 255 pounds). They may opt for someone with a more well-rounded skillset in a deep draft class, while the four college stops is also a notable red flag the team will look into.

One-sentence verdict: Height has some notable flaws but will provide a valuable jolt of pass rush ability to an edge group.

For more information about Romello Height 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 Height 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.