Bedard: Patriots on hand to watch BC WR Zay Flowers show out at Eagles pro day

CHESTNUT HILL — It wasn't exactly the contingent the Patriots sent to the Ohio State pro day earlier in the week — since the Buckeyes have pro-ready players at multiple positions — but the Patriots were well-represented at Boston College's pro day that featured receiver Zay Flowers, a probable first-round pick.

Brian Smith, New England's personnel coordinator, ran the pro day with a hand from college scouting director Cameron Williams — one of the franchise's rising front-office stars. Berj Najarian, Belichick's right-hand man as director of football, was also in attendance.

Also working out:

QB Austin Burton: The Newton native who played at UCLA and Purdue had a good throwing session to all three areas of the field.

DL Marcus Valdez: Also showed off his skills at fullback. Intriguing workhorse in the middle of the line.

S Jaiden Woodbey: Long DB who didn't run a great 40 (we had him for 4.69/4.71), but his 3-cone time of 6.87 was impressive.

WR Kobay White: Got injured at BC after a promising start but finished at Maine in 2022. We timed him at 4.38/4.40 in the 40 and he had a dynamite diving catch of a deep ball.

DT Chibueze Onwuka: Fireplug type in the middle of the line. Showed well during position drills.

TE/FB Isaiah Miranda and WR Clifford Kurker: Both finished at BC in 2019.

The NFL was well-represented as a whole, as one personnel executive said the turnout — estimates had it at 26-27 teams — was impressive, and a reflection of the type of prospect Flowers, who finished BC's all-time leader in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns, is.

"Playmaker," the executive said. "He'd help a lot of teams at all three levels. Can fit into any system from Day 1."

Enhancing Flowers' prospect profile, especially at a position like receiver that attracts eccentric personalities, is that he might be better off the field than on it.

"Just a great, great kid," said BC coach Jeff Hafley. "You don't ever have to worry about him, and his work ethic is relentless. He wants to be great in all areas."

Said Flowers: "You're going to get a good person on and off the field. You'll get the best version of a player that you could want. Everything you see is what you get."

The big question is, would the Patriots be really interested in him at all considering his small stature? More on that, and video of his workout and post-workout interview below.

BSJ ANALYSIS

I thought Flowers had a sensational workout. Some of his most impressive traits were shown in warmups when his stop-and-start ability and instant acceleration were just off the charts. Man, could the Patriots' offense use some juice that can do everything — he also fielded punts — a modern offense calls for.

He only did position drills at BC, which was fine. But I do question why he hasn't done the 3-cone drills. He must want the film to speak for him, and it does. He's a jitterbug.

Do I think the Patriots would take a Flowers type at 14? I don't, unless they have really changed their thinking. I do think he would be of interest later in the first round if they trade down, but especially in the second. But I don't see that happening.

I think the Patriots would view him as too small to take in the first round — they want more surefire candidates, especially physically. The Patriots might think they can get similar later in the draft.

We'll have more in the lead-up to the draft, but the whole package of Flowers is enticing.

Flowers' position skill workout

Post-workout interviews

PATRIOTS OFFSEASON SCHEDULE SET

These are the dates from the NFL:

NEW ENGLAND

First Day: April 17
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 30-31, June 2, June 5-6, June 8-9
Mandatory Minicamp: June 12-14

The rules:

Voluntary offseason workout programs are intended to provide training, teaching and physical conditioning for players.  The calendar for 2023 is below.

As per Article 21 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each club’s official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases:

Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as “perfect play drills,” and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.

Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. This minicamp, noted below, must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program.