The NFL offseason kicks into this week as the scouting combine takes place in Indianapolis. It's not quite the event it has been in the past due to the focus shifting to making this a TV event — many coaching staffs now sit this out; Bill Belichick was there for about a day last year — but it's when everyone knows we're on to 2023.
Coaches and executives from NFL will speak to the media on Tuesday and Wednesday (Patriots not scheduled to appear) before the workouts start.
If you're watching at home, here is the NFL Network workout schedule:
Thursday
3-8 p.m. – Defensive Linemen & Linebackers – LIVE
3-hour cutdown version airs at 9 PM & 1 AM ET
Friday
3-8 p.m. – Defensive backs and special teams – LIVE
3-hour cutdown version airs at 9 PM & 1 AM ET
Saturday
1-8 p.m. – QBs, WRs, TEs – LIVE
3-hour cutdown version airs at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET
Sunday
1-8 p.m. – OL & RBs – LIVE
3-hour cutdown version airs at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET
Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network is one of the best analysts on the draft, and he held his annual marathon conference call with the media and gave a great overview of the draft, top prospects and answered a few Patriots-related questions from reporters.
The best from Jeremiah, starting with the strengths and weaknesses of this class:
"In terms of overall strength of the draft, I think it's a really good corner group. I think it's a good edge rusher group. I think the tight end group is the best I've seen in the last 10 years. It's outstanding," he said. "Running backs are really solid.
"It's a fun draft. Quarterbacks are going to be a big storyline. I don't think the wide receiver group is quite what we've seen in the years recently here. It's deep at some positions for sure."
On the QB draft class
"I have Bryce Young (at the top). I like Bryce Young better on the tape, but I think CJ Stroud is a really good player. If the price -- if you're not comfortable with that price to go up to get to that No. 1 pick, staying with they are and getting CJ Stroud, I would feel just fine about that. I think he is just a pure thrower.
The big question with him, it's been talked about, was, okay, not a lot of off-schedule, not a lot of playmaking, but then all of a sudden you see the semifinal game and you are, like, dude, where has this been? He showed you he has that ability. The old scouting adage is if you can do it once, you can do it. So you know he does have that ability.
Now, I think Bryce is just a little -- he is a little bit more of a playmaker to me consistently when you watch him. I just love his instincts and feel, his ability to maneuver within the pocket I think is better.
So I think Bryce Young is a better player, but I would not be -- I would not be totally bummed if you sat there at 2 and ended up with CJ Stroud.
Anthony Richardson is the second quarterback for several teams that I talked to. We can look at the numbers. It doesn't look great on paper. You look at the accuracy and this, that, and the other; and he has elite, elite arm strength. He is a rare athlete. You don't see quarterbacks running away from LSU with 80-yard touchdown runs. Like, he has big-time, big-time ceiling, big-time ability.
If you want to fall in love with Anthony Richardson, you pop on Utah and you think he is the first pick in the draft. Even Missouri he made some big-time plays in that game. I know it's a little bit of a roller coaster. I know he hasn't played a ton, but teams are starting to look at some of these quarterbacks as lottery tickets, and this one has the biggest payout.
That's why I think you're going to see Richardson go pretty high. The reason I had him there with the Lions (at 18) is I think sometimes when you have those two picks, I almost don't want to say it's a luxury because you're trying to get good players, but when you look at the landscape of the NFL right now and you look at the high, high-end quarterback play, you know, this gives you an opportunity to take a shot on one of those guys who could be that.
He is not at that level right now, but ceiling-wise with him and Jared Goff, his ceiling is immensely higher. Jared is a solid steady player right now. He is playing winning football, but I think there is a ceiling on him. With Anthony Richardson, you don't have a ceiling. That's why I think you'll see him go, but I don't think -- in making just calls over the last couple of days, I don't even think he will get there.
I really like Hendon Hooker. I think he is a good player. I think he can do everything that Sean McVay wants to do. I think you start with accuracy and decision-making. He can move around, so you are going to be able to use all that stretch boot. He is going to be very comfortable doing that. He can think the game really well.
You know, we'll see how high he ends up going coming off of the injury. I think he would have been a first-round pick if he doesn't get hurt, even with the age. I know people talk about how old he is, but he is a really, really solid player. I think he would be a great fit in that system.
I have it Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Levis, Richardson. But, again, if you know who you have developing these guys and you have a plan in place, I think it's very close when you look at how those guys stack up. For me it's Bryce, a gap, and then those other three guys. I think it's however they fit you, what plan you have in place, and how you want to use them.
If you have a veteran in place for a year, I think Anthony Richardson ... you can make that case. You've got a coordinator that understands how to incorporate Will Levis' athleticism right now. I know in talking to folks that have been through there, they rave about his ability to handle a lot of information.
So if you think about Josh McDaniels and his offense, it's been kind of known as they can put a lot on your plate. It sounds like that's something he is comfortable doing.
On if the Patriots could take a tight end at 14th overall
"It's not too high for me. In terms of the number of guys, I can kind of count them up here. I have 11 tight ends that I have top three round grades on, which is a ridiculous number. It is just a really, really good group.
To me, I know he is coming off of an injury right now and I know he is kind of more of a flex tight end, but Dalton Kincaid from Utah is -- I think he is a big- time player. I think he is one of my favorite players to watch in this draft. I think he is one of the best players in the draft. He is just sudden in everything that he does. He separates. He is outstanding after the catch. You know, he can win on contact over the middle of the field. He is really, really good after the catch. You know, as a blocker, he is going to more shield you and wall off.
I don't like when you compare guys to all-time great players, but just in his movement stuff, he moves, he kind of looks likes Kelce just the way he moves in and out of breaks. He is a really, really good player. I think he's -- I really liked Zach Ertz when he was coming out, the year he was coming out. I think he is a better version of Zach Ertz. So he's up there.
You've got Michael Mayer who is just an all-around tight end, not going to be real dynamic, out of Notre Dame. But he is kind of the king of the combat catches. He has a good feel on option routes just keeping guys on his back and kind of walling them off and making plays. A good overall tight end, good blocker.
Darnell Washington is massive from Georgia. He is like playing with a sixth offensive linemen in the run game, and he is still developing and learning in the pass game. I think there's more there. Obviously, they had the best tight end in the country there with Bowers, who is just an absolute freak show. So he doesn't get as many balls as he would on other offenses, but he is really intriguing.
Luke Musgrave from Oregon State is going to probably run in the low 4.5s at 255 pounds. He could go in the first round.
Then you start going through the list. LaPorta from Iowa, Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State. You got Davis Allen from Clemson, intriguing. Payne Durham from Purdue, Schoonmaker from Michigan, Strange from Penn State, Wiley from Cincinnati. Those are the 11 guys. It is a really, really good group.
On the best players in the draft
"Jalen Carter is the best player in the draft from Georgia, and I think that Will Anderson is the second-best player.
But I know in talking to people around the league and when I do mock drafts, you're trying to get just a feel and the potential outcomes there and not just doing the same exact thing every single time. I know that there are teams that have it really, really close, and some actually even prefer Tyree Wilson to Anderson just because of the size and the length and the attributes that he has there.
But if you are asking me, I wouldn't be trading off of either of those two guys. When you look at Jalen Carter, Will Anderson, I probably wouldn't want to get out if I were them, as desperate as they are for defensive linemen. I think those are the two best guys.
On the offensive tackles
I think Peter Skoronski can play tackle (as a top-10 pick). I think he could be an unbelievable guard as well.
When you look at Broderick Jones, I think his best football is still ahead of him. He is incredibly strong. He is incredibly athletic. What he can do in the second-level stuff and the run game as well as in the screen game is outstanding.
He sets a little bit of a unique set where he sets a little bit flat so there are times where guys can get upfield on him, but then he shows you the ability to recover and hang in there. So, you know, maybe a little top-heavy at times. He gets a little over-aggressive. He is a pretty physical player, but I think there's a lot to really like about him. I think he could play either side. I think he could play right tackle. He could play left tackle. That would be -- that's why I had him going there. I think it would be a really good fit.
Yeah, I mean, I would have liked to see (Dawand Jones) more in the Senior Bowl. He had a dominant day or two and then he was gone because he got a little nicked up there. Yeah, if I start there with him, for those that don't know about him, he is 6'8", 375 pounds. He has 36 and 5/8 inch arms. It's insane. It's ridiculous how long he is. That's where you start with the size and the frame. Now, he is an avalanche in the run game when he can block down. You get in his way, you're going to get collapsed. You're not going to be able to stop that from happening. He is too big. He is too massive. He is too strong. He has average foot quickness. The struggles that he has are in space and then when he has to redirect. One of the things at the Senior Bowl he did really well, because a lot of people got the bright idea they were going to try and bull-rush and rush to the chest of a 375-pound guy, which did not work well.
Then with Paris Johnson, you know, if he would have gone back and gotten a little stronger, I think you are talking about somebody that could have been a top 5 pick next year because he has that type of ability. He has the frame. He has the quickness. He just needs to get a little bit stronger and play a little bit lower, but there is a ton to work with there.
When I say the redirect issues with Dawand Jones, Paris Johnson can redirect fluidly, easily. He is an outstanding athlete.nSo that was kind of the one knock on him. It's just playing a little bit lower consistently and just getting a little bit stronger, so those are the two concerns.
What receivers could interest the Patriots at 14?
I think you want the best one available, and I don't think there's anybody, in my opinion, that's dominant or good enough in that group that would you have to play off of their skill set. I think you just want the best one. To me I look at if you are looking for high volume catches and productivity, you know, you can make a case for Jaxon Smith-Njigba because he has a really good feel. He works really well in the middle of the field. We know the success they've had with guys like that.
That one I could see making sense to me. I just would want the best overall guy, and that's in my opinion Jordan Addison just because I think he is a complete route runner. I think he gives you bursts and explosiveness to make plays over the top, and I think he has outstanding hands. That to me would be the place that I would go. Yeah, you know, it's one thing if you've got a premiere A-1 level player and you are, like, okay, we've got to find the complement to this. It's, like, I don't know. Substitute is okay there as well. You just need to find the best guy.
Patriots-type players in this draft
Oh, that's a good one. Patriot-type players. Well, I mean, Peter Skoronski. I'll go down through the list here. (CB Devon) Witherspoon from Illinois, because they value ball skills and instincts and awareness so much in the secondary. He definitely fits in that regard.
I would give you Keion White as one because of the versatility up front. He is almost 6'5", 280 pounds. He could be an edge-setter, which they've always valued. The physicality to set the edge in the run game. Trying to find body types like Willie McGinest going all the way back. It's hard to find guys that are that big and that strong that can still move. He could be one I would say that would kind of fit that profile. A real smart player as well.
Let me give you another one here, Edge Lukas Van Ness from Iowa. Obviously, you have the connection there with Kirk Ferentz and Bill Belichick. He is always going to be comfortable with Iowa players, and he is a big, physical defensive linemen who can move inside-outside.
So those are some guys I think would be good overall fits. Then if we want to go to the non-Power 5 offensive linemen that they hit on last year with Cole Strange, why not go back and go with OT Cody Mauch from North Dakota State. Versatility, a bunch of different positions, highly tough, highly intelligent, Patriot-type guy.
On BC WR Zay Flowers
I love Zay Flowers. I know he is not the biggest guy in the world at a little over 5'9", 182 pounds, but he is a clone to TY Hilton. I pulled this up today. When you look at their numbers, TY Hilton and Zay Flowers, it is -- Flowers is 5'9" 1/2; Hilton is 5'9" 1/2. Flowers 182 pounds; Hilton 183 pounds. Wingspan, 73.5 to 73 1/8. We'll see the testing when they run and all that.
It's one of those deals when you watch, gosh, he reminds me of TY Hilton, and then when you pull the numbers they're like twins. I think he is a great player. I think he is going to go somewhere into the late first into the early second round. We'll see how he runs, but I'm a big fan of his.
Cornerbacks that could interest the Patriots
It's a good corner group. I think it's a better corner group than the receiver group. This year when I look at it, I've got 20 corners with top three round grades, which is a big number. I think it's a really good group of corners.
If you are at 14, you know, I've kind of talked about those big three. For me it's Witherspoon, Joey Porter, and Christian Gonzalez, whatever order you want to put them in.
Witherspoon, when you first popped him on was just blown away with the instincts and just the natural feel and awareness, route recognition. He sees things before they develop. Sometimes you can see guys that have the athletic ability, and sometimes you see guys that really have studied film and they know how to play, and it's not common when you see guys that have all that wrapped up together. He does. He is a complete package that way.
I mean, I wish he was 200 pounds. He is not going to be. He is going to be a little bit lighter, but he just pulls the trigger. He does not play with any hesitation. He plays with ultimate aggressiveness and confidence and urgency. Then you see that and say, okay, well, let's see what happens when they hit him with double moves because sometimes you can take advantage of guys that are making plays on the ball. He doesn't fall for it. He is really, really instinctive that way. He is outstanding in zone.
Then when you want to get out of that range (14th overall), you know, to me let's see. When is the next pick? The next pick is at 46. If you are looking at pick 46, I think Kelee Ringo from Georgia is gone. Deonte Banks from Maryland is probably gone. You are looking Tyrique Stevenson. You are looking at DJ Turner from Michigan. Jartavius Martin is a nickel from Illinois. He is a really good player. That's probably like that type of a group. Riley Moss from Iowa maybe a little bit after that. He is going to fly. He is going to run really, really well. Julius Brents from Kansas State. Those are just some of the names I would tick off there that I think are really good players.
When I talk about those corners carrying top three round grades, I think those guys are all starters. Whether you want to say he is a No. 2 corner, whatever, he is out on the field when the starting line-up rolls out there. I think there's 20 of those guys.
Speedy receivers in this draft
There's flyers in this draft. You can get them. Jalien Hyatt. Quentin Johnson can fly. He can really run. I know Nathaniel Dell is undersized. He is tiny. He is 5'8" and a half, 163 pounds. He is like Marquise Brown. Big-time, big-time juice and acceleration. He has really good hands. He is a good player. He can fly. Tyler Scott from Cincinnati I think is probably going to go on day 2 somewhere. He is vertical, can really go. He can take the top off.
Charlie Jones I think you'll see run well from Purdue. Marvin Mims, probably more mid-4.4 type speed from Oklahoma but an overall good receiver, good route runner, and can get vertical if you need him to do that.
There's going to be options throughout the draft if you want guys that can roll and get on top of coverage.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
NICKEL PACKAGE
1. OK, now the Mac Jones bashing has gone way too far with Matt Cassel ranking him the 25th QB for 2023 behind Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy, Ryan Tannehill, Jimmy Garoppolo, Andy Dalton (!) and Russell Wilson. Ranking him there for his 2022 performance is accurate — thanks Bill! — but this is about next season. Tannehill, Garoppolo and Dalton might not even have starting jobs next season.
I was right about a lot of things last season, but one thing I was totally wrong about was that Jones would not be blamed if things went south offensively. I thought people were smarter than that. I guess not.
2. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports Rams CB Jalen Ramsey is indeed on the trade block. Bleacher Report floated a possible Patriots deal [2023 second-round pick (No. 47 overall), 2023 fourth-round pick (No. 108 overall), 2024 third-round pick] and PFF had consecutive second-round picks. If the Patriots thought Ramsey still had 2-3 years left of elite play, I would do that and extend him with some dummy years on the contract.
3. The longer this goes, the more I see the Ravens parting ways with Lamar Jackson. He reportedly wants more money than Deshaun Watson and all of it guaranteed. With his injury history, I don't see it. I would keep an eye on the Dolphins. Jackson is a Boynton Beach native and owner Stephen Ross loves to take big swings. One problem: Dolphins don't have a first-round pick this year. Would a 2 and two future firsts do it? Jackson would be great in that offense.
4. With the Conor McDermott re-signing (at a veteran backup salary), free safety is now the only position on the roster not settled for a proverbial game tomorrow. Belichick always fills out the roster at each spot before free agency starts. Appears he's keeping a light on for Devin McCourty should he return following a family vacation.
5. Interesting to hear new Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken talk about his offensive beliefs after coming from Georgia. He was floated as a candidate for the Patriots, but of course Belichick didn't hold any real interviews for the position outside Bill O'Brien.
“I think the game has changed,” he said. “The game has become more of a space game; using all 53-and-a-third yards and using the width and depth of the field, using space players and your skill players. I think that’s changed. Years ago, maybe it was inside-zone and run-duo downhill. Now, it’s utilizing athletic quarterbacks. The game has changed; it’s changing.
“At one time, it was taller pocket passers, and now you’re seeing more shorter, athletic players. The game has changed in terms of using their athleticism, using players’ athleticism, what they bring to the table because the game is about space. It’s about being explosive. Well, how do you create explosive [plays]? Well, part of it is creating space.
"Balance isn’t run-pass; balance is, make them cover all five of your guys; make them defend the field; make them defend the depth of the field. So, I think it’s all those things. That’s the way the college game has gone; that’s what they’re used to. They’re not used to anymore being under center, five-step drop; that doesn’t exist. They’re used to being in [shot]gun, RPOs [run-pass options], spreading the field, using space players; that’s what they’re used to. So, I think that’s the style they want to play.”
Monken's keys to a successful offense:
- Don't turn it over
- Be explosive
- Score touchdowns in the red zone
- Be good on third down
- Don't have lost yardage plays
- Have an athletic quarterback who can make off-schedule plays
"The rest of it just falls into that," Monken said.
"I don't care if it's with a fullback, without a fullback, four wide [receivers], three wide [receivers]. The reality is that there are a lot of ways to skin a cat, but still the principles of how you win are the same."
