Over the last six years, the Patriots have selected 19 prospects that participated in the Senior Bowl. That’s top 10 in the NFL.
For New England, over half the players have come from the last two Senior Bowls: Cole Strange, Marcus Jones (DNP), Bailey Zappe, Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Justin Herron. The Patriots love this game, which is often filled with experienced players who have been captains — traits they typically weigh strongly. So, let's take a deeper dive on the best players this week that also fit what the Patriots do.
A few caveats around the selections. Only counting guys that played this week and not any of the opt-outs that I like (Devon Witherspoon, Tyree Wilson, etc.). Secondly, these aren’t necessarily the best players at every position, these are the best fits for the Patriots by position. Lastly, I tried to be conscious of what’s realistic, i.e. They aren’t likely to go guard or center early. That said, you never really know, and we’ll have the position capsules with top targets by round as we go forward.
There were some tough choices, but the good news is that the Patriots were well-represented; they had a chance to interview everyone and see all these guys in person against top-tier competition.
OFFENSE
QB Hendon Hooker (Tennessee): Jake Haener (Fresno State) was the best QB that played at the Senior Bowl this year. He’s not a sleeper to scouts, he almost declared last year, but he’s very similar to Bailey Zappe (here’s what we wrote in this article last year): Zappe is a really accurate, cerebral player who got better as the week went along. He could be a Case Keenum type, with a long career as a backup.
Hooker didn’t play but he did participate in everything off the field. He’ll redshirt next year coming off an ACL injury which may push him to early Day 3. He’ll do well in the team interviews, and he brings something different that the Patriots don’t have in their QB room. I see him very similar to Geno Smith.
RB Eric Gray (Oklahoma): I think Gray is a Day 3 pick, but he was solid all week. Good acceleration, runs hard, and thought his footwork was great. Lastly, perhaps most important, he operates like a pro. He’ll be a solid rotational back in the NFL.
Third-Down RB Tyjae Spears (Tulane): He was dynamic on some routes, explosive in the open field, and didn’t shy from contact. His medicals will be important at the combine.
WR1 Jayden Reed (Michigan St): He had plus speed, good route running and continually got open. Nothing flashy but I thought he was the hardest cover for the DBs.
WR2 Dontayvion Wicks (Virginia): I thought he had a good week which was important for him. He was great in 2021 and then didn’t match it this year. This week he showed off a good balance of hands, size, and ball tracking. I also considered Michael Wilson (Stanford) who was more consistent but has a significant medical history.
Slot WR Tank Dell (Houston): Dell is only 5-8, 163 but he plays bigger. He’s quick off the line, has good start/stop agility, and made several nice catches that required him to climb the ladder. I thought Puka Nacua (BYU) was good Day 1, but he didn’t play after that.
TE Cameron Latu (Alabama): He gives full effort in the running game and he’s smart at getting open. Luke Musgrave (Oregon St) has a higher ceiling, but Latu would fit in nicely with the Patriots. We’ll talk about him because of the O’Brien connection, which makes sense, but I think he’s an underrated prospect because he didn’t have an elite season (coming off surgery this offseason). When it mattered this year, Bryce Young looked his way.
LT Jaelyn Duncan (Maryland): He’s a pass-blocking tackle and I thought he had enough size, footwork, and athleticism to handle the blind side. Blake Freeland (BYU) wasn’t consistent enough to be an early pick, but I still like his long-term potential, IF, they have an excellent position coach.
RT Darnell Wright (Tennessee): He wasn’t perfect, but he was the best offensive lineman that played all week. Like Dawand Jones (Ohio St), I see him as a right tackle. For consistent readers, you know I’ve been the driver of the Dawand Jones fan bus for two years and I may likely land with him above Wright at the end of the process. But his off-field interviews will be the most important part in determining where he gets selected.
OG Warren McClendon (Georgia): He’s technically a tackle but his best move may be to the inside. Either way the flexibility is a plus. He was consistent all week, albeit not as flashy, but that’s totally fine for your offensive line room. He got better every year at Georgia and he was an All-SEC player. Steve Avila (TCU) was good, and I liked the power of Emil Ekiyor Jr. (Alabama) but he didn’t finish the week.
OG Cody Mauch (North Dakota St): While he was a tackle during the season, he played guard and even some center this week. He got better as the week went along. He battled every single rep, he’s got excellent feet (athleticism), and showed some toughness. I don’t think he’s a Round 1 player, like some have talked about, but I also don’t think he’s getting out of Round 2.
OC Jake Andrews (Troy): Working off the theory that the Patriots see Andrews/Strange as their short and long-term answer, then a developmental prospect is best. I went with Jake Andrews who is smart, has a wrestling background, has lots of playing experience at all 3 interior spots, and he’ll be available on Day 3. John Michael-Schmitz (Minnesota) was the best center in Mobile and he’ll be selected relatively early.
DEFENSE
Edge Keion White (Georgia Tech): I don’t love White but there’s a lot to like. I didn’t love him only because he didn’t dominate and that’s what you want to see out of a first-rounder (last year, Jets pick Jermaine Johnson II was dominant). That said, White plays hard, he’s fast, and his size will along him to be positionally versatile for whatever team drafts him. Derick Hall (Auburn) had a good week and may have moved himself into Round 1. He doesn’t have the traditional height the Patriots look for on the edge but he has the arm length and some real bend.
DL Zacch Pickens (South Carolina): In a group that was really talented Pickens kept popping. He’s athletic for a big man and strong. There are questions about his consistency, but he was good all week. Cameron Young (Miss St) was also consistently good. He could support in the run game next year. His arms were noticeably long.
NT Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin): He’s traditionally played the nose and he’s really well built. Most NTs carry a lot of weight, some of it bad, which makes them more effective in anchoring. Benton is a big (6-3, 312), well put together dude. The question is if he’s more of a 3 vs. 1 technique.
Edge K.J. Henry (Clemson): He plays hard, competitive in the run game, and I believe he has enough athleticism to drop in coverage if he needs to (which isn’t always the case). He’s a player to keep an eye on. I also thought Tavius Robinson (Ole Miss) had intriguing size, traits. He’s still raw but his size was impressive.
LB Daiyan Henley (Washington St): Henley’s work in pass coverage was great and he showed good blitzing. He could be an athletic WILL or MIKE. He was a HS QB who was recruited to college as a WR. I came away thinking he’d look good in a Pats uniform.
LB Dorian Williams (Tulane): He’s fast, long arms, with lots of experience (3-year starter). Word is that he’s more read or react vs. pre-diagnose but that’s something the team can feel out in interviews. Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati) is small, but man is he a football player. I went traits here over production.
LB/Big Nickel Marte Mapu (Sacramento St): Don’t get upset if Bill drafts one of these two players even though they are from a small school. Mapu played safety in college but he’s an athletic box player on Sunday’s. He was a missile in the run game on Wednesday. I also really like Aubrey Miller Jr. (Jackson St). He got better as the week went along and he’s been one of the best players in the HBCU over the last couple of years.
CB Darius Rush (South Carolina): He wasn’t on my radar before the Senior Bowl but man he good this week. He’s big for a corner, he had solid closing speed, and he anticipated routes. He’s going to rise up draft boards.
CB Tyrique Stevenson (Miami): He was good in man coverage this week and plays with some bravado. He’s bigger for a corner and so I think a potential move to safety (if they think he can do it) would offer him even more value. Julius Brents (Kansas St) and Riley Moss (Iowa) had their moments.
FS Christopher Smith II (Georgia): He was good on pass coverage for the most part. He’s on the smaller side for a safety but he’s instinctive. He also was pretty good when I was watching the ST (which will matter for the Patriots). Daniel Scott (Cal) was solid as well.
SS Jammie Robinson (Florida St): One of my favorite safeties in this class, I’ve been higher on him than most. He was solid all week. Not the biggest guy but he can stick and tackle. Arm length, which is important for DBs, is a bit of a concern. Sydney Brown (Illinois) made some plays on the ball and he’s physical coming forward. I think he’ll be a solid pro.