Six for the 2019 Draft: Special teamers – Early, middle and late prospects that fit what the Patriots are looking for

As we count down to the 2019 NFL draft, we’ll take the measure of the Patriots by position and offer up six prospects at each spot on the field that should be available early (first round), middle (second day) and late (third day). Let's take a look at the special teamers.

Previous positions

Corners
Receivers
Edge
Quarterbacks
Tight ends
Running backs
Offensive tackles
Linebackers

THE SKINNY

The Patriots started the offseason with a great deal of uncertainty on special teams — Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen and Cordarrelle Patterson were free agents, and it wasn’t known if Matthew Slater was going to return for 2019. Turns out Gostkowski, Allen and Slater have all re-upped for at least one more season. At the same time, the Patriots are (again) looking for a kick returner. And while Braxton Berrios might be able to challenge as a punt return candidate, another layer of depth there is always a good thing. With the understanding that we’ve profiled some of these guys before as receiver possibilities, let’s dig into their special teams potential with the Patriots.

POSSIBLE EARLY TARGETS

Parris Campbell, Ohio State



Patriots scheme fit: kick returner, slot receiver, gadget guy
Why he makes sense: One of the best kick returners in the country with the Buckeyes in 2016 and 2017, he averaged 30.4 yards per return on 30 opportunities as a collegian. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder also has value in the passing game — he caught 90 passes for 1,063 yards (12 touchdowns) as senior. Basically, if you get Campbell, you are able to (theoretically) fill multiple positions at once. (In the context of this conversation, it’s also important to note he has some skill in space — he had 10 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown last season.) A team captain with Ohio State last year, he’s likely a Day 2 possibility for the Patriots.



Deebo Samuel, South Carolina

Patriots scheme fit: kick returner, boundary receiver, gadget guy
Why he makes sense: Like Campbell, Samuel has great offensive numbers — 148 catches for 2,076 yards and 16 touchdowns (11 last year) with South Carolina — but he also offers tremendous talent as a kick returner. He averaged 29 yards per return on 42 chances with four touchdowns in his time at USC. The 5-foot-11, 214-pounder also works well in space (25 carries, 154 yards, 7 rushing touchdowns). Samuel's stock has been rising -- he might be a Day One lock, depending on who you listen to -- so it might be a gamble to pass on him at No. 32.



POSSIBLE MIDDLE TARGETS

Mecole Hardman, Georgia

Patriots scheme fit: kick returner, gadget guy
Why he makes sense: Keeping in mind Georgia is the new Rutgers and the Patriots love that do-everything approach, Hardman would seem to be a nice fit. In two years, he averaged 25 yards on 35 kick return attempts, as well as 15.2 yards per punt return on 39 attempts (and one touchdown). The 5-foot-10, 187-pounder also finished his college career with 60 catches for 961 yards and eleven touchdowns, as well as 97 rushing yards on 13 attempts. New England had him in for a workout the last couple of days, so he’s certainly one to watch when it comes to Day 2 or possibly Day 3.

Diontae Johnson, Toledo

Patriots scheme fit: kick returner, gadget guy
Why he makes sense: Johnson can do a lot of things relatively well — he averaged 15.5 yards per catch last year, leading the team with 49 receptions and eight touchdowns -- but the special teams resume is pretty impressive. Johnson was a first-team all-MAC punt returner (13 returns, 241 yards, 18.5 average) and second-team kickoff returner (16 returns, 412 yards, 25.8 average) as well. The 5-foot-10, 183-pounder is a little undersized and a touch raw as a receiver, but he has nice athleticism and a lengthy resume as a returner. An early Day 3 possibility.

POSSIBLE LATE TARGETS

Tony Pollard, Memphis

Patriots scheme fit: Returner, special teamer, gadget guy
Why he makes sense: Watching the 6-foot, 210-pound Pollard play is fun. He’s a home-run hitter in every sense — as he averaged a touchdown every 13.5 touches and 9.2 yards per touch. In 40 career games, he returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns and averaged 30.1 yards on 87 attempts. Honestly, someone needs to find this guy a role, because if everything works out, he has the physical tools to be a returner/gadget guy — sort of an economy version of what we saw at times from Patterson last year. At the same time, he doesn’t look ready to be a consistent, every-down contributor at the NFL level — he’s battled drops, as well as injuries. Maybe that comes with time? Regardless, he’s a Day 3 choice or UDFA with a ton of possible upside.



Cole Tracy, LSU

Patriots scheme fit: Kicker
Why he makes sense: Prior to Gostkowski signing his new deal, we would have been all-in for the likes of Tracy, an Assumption product who had a dynamite 2018 after transferring to LSU. He was named a 2018 AP second-team All-American, second-team All-American by the Associated Press and first-team All-SEC after connecting on all 42 of his extra point attempts and 29 of 33 field goal tries (87.9 percent). Three of his four misses came from 50-plus, and he had a season-long of 54 yards. Not sure if he’ll be the first kicker off the board, but he should be taken somewhere along the way.