Scouting notes on the Patriots' 2022 draft picks...
Round 1, Pick 29: iOL Cole Strange, Tennessee-Chattanooga (6-5, 307).
Started 44 games at college, primarily at guard but he'll be a guard or center at the next level. Played very well against higher competition when given the opportunity and he was competitive at the Senior Bowl. Has good striking ability, good quickness, and not afraid to mix it up. Probably best in a zone scheme where he's able to establish positioning and sustain with movement. He has the frame to put on more weight at the next level. He was reportedly a good interview at Combine.
After some more research I added these points:
- Smart kid, graduated (3.71) and getting master’s in engineering
- Word is that he's tough, aggressive, old-school player who will put ball first
- Athletically he tested off the charts for iOL
- Team captain
- All-conference player (you'd hope at that level)
- Can, and needs to, add weight at the next level. He looks leaner in person
- He'll be 24 at the start of next season
- He's a former DE, which speaks to his athleticism, and moved to offensive line early in college. Similar to another prospect, Dylan Parham from Memphis
Round 2, Pick 50: WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor (6-2, 181, 4.28).
Route running skills and speed get him separation. More of a strider (he has a sprinting background) than quick but he does understand coverage concepts. He's advanced for college. He's very fast, a deep threat, but very thin and will need to develop. He's too thin to offer more than deep early on. Adding strength to his game will allow him to be more competitive at the catch and off the LOS. He was Second-team All-Big 12, and I called him out in the BSJ Baylor in-season write-ups as a likely Day 3 pick.
Other comments on Thornton:
- Well recruited out of high school and LSU offered him a scholarship for track
- Top 10 receiver in school history. Recent Baylor WRs have not transitioned well to the pro game (Corey Coleman, Jalen Hurd, Denzel Mims). Former Patriot, Josh Gordon played at Baylor before going through the supplemental draft.
- Concerns you’ll hear about his smaller hand size, wrists, and frame is really code for winning 50/50 balls
- Will compete as a blocker despite his thin frame
Round 3, Pick 85: CB Marcus Jones, Houston (5-8, 174, did not run).
He's an elite returner that will need to play nickel because of his size but he's a true football player. A fluid athlete with the necessary scrappiness, speed, and quickness to cover slot wide receivers. Some teams won't value him as high at corner because of his stature (he'd struggle on the outside) but the Patriots will, and should, target him because of his four down skills. He was even productive when he played WR for the Cougars.
Other comments on Jones:
- Won the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college
- As mentioned above, has the ability to play WR.
- Competes like a bigger player but has had shoulder injuries throughout his career
- Tied the NCAA record for return TDs with a walk off KO return against SMU
- Another older player, will be 24 next year
- Father served in the Army
- 3-sport star in high school (football, basketball, track)
- Went to Troy out of college and then transferred to Houston
- Interested in music off the field
Round 4, Pick 121: CB Jack Jones, Arizona St (5-10, 177, 4.50).
Started his career at USC and he has pro skills. He can be aggressive, explosive, and good ball skills for corners. However, his issue is consistency (off-field as well). He gives up more TDs than you'd like for a pro prospect and technique can often slip. Teams will need to vet the off-field concerns (arrested at USC and suspended at ASU) but he would be a 4th or 5th corner for an NFL team to start. I'm sure the visit was to get comfortable with the off-field stuff (I didn't write about him previously because of that).
Other comments on Jones:
- Has the fluidity to play man coverage
- Willing tackler, 3 forced fumbles last year
- 38 passed defensed in last 39 games
- Confident and takes risk which is a double-edged sword
- Size of the fight, not the size of the dog mentality
Round 4, Pick 127: RB Pierre Strong, South Dakota State (5-11, 207, 4.37).
Finalist for the Walter Payton Award (the lower divisions form of the Heisman). Consistent at the Shrine Bowl. Showed good hands and pass pro there (which helped given his 4 drops during the season). He's more of a home run threat. Rushed for 4,527 career yards and 7.2 YPC but his fit, at least early, is as a third down/change of pace back. Best for a zone scheme where he can make a cut and go or catching out of the backfield.
Other comments on Strong:
- Good footwork and 30 runs of 15+
- Could do a better job breaking tackles and falling forward after contact
- Fumbled five times as a senior
Round 4, Pick 137: QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (6-0, 215, 4.88).
Played at Houston Baptist before transferring to Western Kentucky (almost 16k yards and 140 career TDs), This year he set an NCAA record with almost 6k yards and 62 TDs. Completing 70% of his passes, over 400 yds per game. Makes quick decisions and quick release but average arm for the NFL game. Loves football, understands the game, and he has a moxie to him. He’s only 6 feet, which is an issue, but he doesn't get a ton of passes knocked down which is the ultimate thing to measure. Backup type player (4th-5th round). Comp: Gardner Minshew
Other comments on Zappe:
- Good footwork and coaches called him highly intelligent “coach on the field”
- His style is rhythm based. Not a knock, many good QBs are rhythm throwers.
- Comes from a spread offense and will need time adjusting to an NFL offense
- This is a position the Patriots draft well
- Broke the single-season TD record held by Joe Burrow.
Round 6, Pick 183: RB Kevin Harris, South Carolina (5-10, 220, 4.62).
He had a back injury that limited his junior season (660 yards, 4.3 YPC, 4 TDs) but he was very good as a sophomore (All-SEC). He’s a good ball carrier that can run on the inside. I believe he can be a productive early-down back in the NFL if he stays healthy and gets a chance to play, like he did in 2020.
Other comments on Harris:
- He does a good job on ball security, only 1 career fumble
- Compact, really runs hard, and not afraid of contact
- First player in school history to lead SEC in YPG (as a junior)
Round 6, Pick 200: DL Sam Roberts, NW Missouri St (6-4, 293, 5.1 40).
He won the Cliff Harris Award given to the top defender outside of Division 1. He had 18 TFL, 6.5 sacks this season and blocked 5 kicks throughout his career. Known to be a well-built, powerful player. He just turned 24 years old.
Round 6, Pick 210: OG Chasen Hines, LSU (6-3, 317 5.22 40).
Started a couple of years at LSU He has plus strength and will fit best in a power scheme that also allows him to pull. He has the power for the next level, but he needs to be more consistent with technique, and keep his weight in check. Depth player to start career.
Round 7, Pick 245: OL Andrew Stueber, Michigan (6-6, 325).
He played tackle in college, but it looks like he may need to move to guard (at least he did at the Senior Bowl). He doesn't have ideal NFL athleticism and will need to be a better technician. That said, he does offer a lot from a Patriots perspective. He battles, he’s a captain, very smart player, he has some position and scheme versatility, good playing experience against top competition, and plus size. He’s a Day 3 pick who will need refinement before he's ready to start. Local kid from CT.