MOBILE, Ala. — En route to the Senior Bowl this week to scout some of the top draft prospects. The talent level this year is high - there are a lot of potential top 50 picks - but we’ll focus the week on those prospects that fit the Patriots program and/or position of need.
The Patriots love the Senior Bowl. The Patriots took three prospects from the game last year — Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Joshuah Bledsoe (who has yet to play due to injury). They took four in 2020 (Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Justin Herron).
The Senior Bowl teams will be led by the coaching staff of the Detroit Lions (American team) and New York Jets (National). It's a nice advantage for the Jets who own nine picks, including four in the top 38 selections. Past coaching staffs (including Jets coach Robert Saleh when he was with the 49ers) have really benefited from the chance to see these kids play against similar competition and respond to their coaching.
The Senior Bowl has made significant strides over the last 10 years, and even more recently under the direction of Jim Nagy, a former NFL scout for almost 20 years, including for New England.
There was a question on Greg’s most recent Q&A regarding this year’s draft class by positional grouping. Here’s a quick summary with a Patriots perspective leading into this week, along with some of the top names in Mobile:
QB: The Patriots have Mac Jones (he was impressive at last year’s Senior Bowl) so I am not going to spend a ton of time on the QBs in Mobile. That said, the Senior Bowl will be really important to establish the pecking order since most of the top prospects are attending. While this class doesn’t have the depth or top-end talent (ie. Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, etc.), I have Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and Ole Miss’ Matt Corral as the top two.
RB: No high-end stud but there is a lot of depth and versatility. I’d be very surprised if a RB goes in Round 1. There will be pass-catching backs available for the Patriots later in the draft.
Senior Bowl names to know: James Cook (Georgia), Tyler Badie (Missouri), Rachaad White (Arizona St)
TE: One of the deeper positions in this year's draft. Not a huge need for the Patriots but if they went in that direction, a late-round depth pick would still provide a good player.
WR: No top 5 pick this year but there are lots of talented players that will be available in every round. It’s a deep position, something we seemingly say every year because of how the college game has evolved. Patriots should invest in a player who can play the slot or take a flier on a boundary receiver.
Slots - Khalil Shakir (Boise St), Dontario Drummond (Ole Miss), Velus Jones Jr. (Tennessee)
Boundaries - Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama), Romeo Dubbs (Nevada) Christian Watson (North Dakota St)
OTs: There are a few players that will go in the top 12 and then some players that have good intangibles and size but play at smaller schools. The Senior Bowl will be a good measuring stick. The Patriots likely don’t make this a priority given their current roster (Onwenu, Herron, etc.) but drafting line depth is always good business.
OGs: A couple of really good, instant starters at the top of the draft. Relatively deep position, especially with college tackles moving inside for positional fit in the NFL.
C: One first-rounder and then a significant drop-off and not a ton of depth. Eye of the beholder prospects.
Edge: Deepest position at the draft. There is value to be had in this position.
Jermaine Johnson II (FSU), Boye Mafe (Minnesota), Amare Barno (Virginia Tech)
DL: Some good prospects that can play end and move inside on passing downs. For nose tackles the big prospect, literally, is Jordan Davis (not attending the Senior Bowl). Not a ton of depth but there’s some potential targets on Day 2 and Day 3.
DT/NT - Phidarian Mathis (Alabama), Neil Farrell Jr. (LSU), Travis Jones (UConn)
DL - Cameron Thomas (SDST), Logan Hall (Houston), Isaiah Thomas (Oklahoma)
LB: Need for the Patriots and some players that they could target.
Devin Lloyd (Utah), Chad Muma (Wyoming), Georgia linebackers (Quay Walker & Channing Tindall)
CB: Another deeper position, especially within the first two rounds. The later-round prospects tend to be bigger bodies with good speed.
Roger McCreary (Auburn), Alontae Taylor (Tennessee), Cam Taylor-Britt (Nebraska).
S: One very high-end prospect (Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton), a couple of good prospects, and some program fits for the Patriots on Day 3.
SENIOR BOWL PROSPECTS I'M HIGHER ON THAN MOST
LB Chad Muma (Wyoming)
RB Abram Smith (Baylor)
WR Khalil Shakir (Boise St)
LB Troy Anderson (Montana St)
DL Isaiah Thomas (Oklahoma)
Edge Amare Barno (Virginia Tech)
G Ed Ingram (LSU)
NT Neil Farrell Jr. (LSU)
LB D’Marco Jackson (Appalachian St)
WR Dontario Drummond (Ole Miss)
SENIOR BOWL FIRST-ROUND LOCKS
*LB Devin Lloyd (Utah)
*CB Roger McCreary (Auburn)
*OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)
*OT Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan)
QB Kenny Pickett (Pitt)
POTENTIAL FIRST-ROUNDERS
*WR Jahan Dotson (Penn State)
*DL Cameron Thomas (San Diego State)
*Edge Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State)
*DL Logan Hall (Houston)
*Edge Kingsley Enagbare (South Carolina)
*DT Phidarian Mathis (Alabama)
TE Trey McBride (Colorado St)
QB Sam Howell (UNC)
QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
Edge Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati)
DT Devonte Wyatt (Georgia)
Edge Arnold Ebiketie (Penn State)
G Zion Johnson (BC)
QB Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)
OT Daniel Faalele (Minnesota)
*Possible strong Patriots fit.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS
G Zion Johnson (Boston College): With a strong week he will solidify himself as a top 50 selection (with an outside shot for Round 1).
TE Isaiah Kelley (Coastal Carolina): The Everett native is not a true in-line TE but he’s quick, moves like a WR and he can be a home run threat after the catch. Led all college TEs with 12 TDs. How he plays against top competition will determine if he’s a Day 2 or Round 4 selection.
DT Travis Jones (UConn): Rare (and big) bright spot for the Huskies this season. He’s a large nose tackle, plays with plus strength.