Some short-yardage items on the Patriots and NFL from the scouting combine in Indianapolis before we get into early reads on the QBs who threw:
- NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah during coverage of the combine on Saturday when he passed along a rumor to not sleep on Baker Mayfield possibly landing with the Patriots, and then the No. 3 pick would be "up for sale."
Is that really possible?
Sure, absolutely. Eliot Wolf, Alonzo Highsmith and Alex Van Pelt all have been with Mayfield in the past and like him. However, this only becomes a possibility if the Patriots reach the end of their draft QB evaluations and come to the consensus that neither Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye are worthy of the No. 3 pick. Then a more likely scenario emerges: the Patriots sign Mayfield for 2-3 years, draft a secondary QB in this draft, trade down from 3 for future first-round picks to leave flexibility to trade up for a 2025 QB, if needed.
- Never forget, in all this, that the Krafts think that getting a franchise QB on a rookie contract is a huge advantage and that has been communicated to their football brass.
So there's little chance the Patriots invest in Mayfield and draft a QB in the first round. That could happen with, say, Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler or Kentucky's Devin Leary later in the draft.
So the Mayfield thing feels like a longshot, but it shouldn't be ruled out.
- The Patriots are likely to be players for veterans like Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Joe Flacco would be a backup option.
- The Patriots aren't close to their final evaluations of the top three quarterbacks, but they will be leaving Indy feeling pretty good about all three of the top prospects. While Drake Maye didn't have the greatest podium session, he really helped himself in the 15-minute interviews with teams. According to sources with multiple teams, Maye exuded confidence and displayed a no-doubt ability to lead a team. Washington should not be ruled out taking him at No. 2, but much work still needs to be done, especially on Top 30 visits and the 3 zooms he can have with teams.
Those who know the new Patriots brass think Maye will appeal to Wolf and Highsmith in terms of talent and intangibles, and Van Pelt and Ben McAdoo will see a moldable physical talent similar to Josh Allen.
Daniels, with his combination of great deep throwing and explosive running ability, is also trending toward being very appealing to the Patriots.
- Much of the Patriots' personnel brass may be operating on expiring contracts and haven't been given new titles, but it's not an issue and part of the process, according to sources. Highsmith doesn't come here on a tryout basis - he had several NFL options before landing with Wolf - and you don't change the grading system for just a couple of months. The Patriots wanted to hit the ground running in the post-Belichick era and getting bogged down in the hiring process that would have slowed things down. They'll complete the process after the draft.
- Is changing the grading system a big deal? "At the end of the day scouting is scouting you just need to understand how you place players on whatever scale it is you’re using," said one league source who has been with multiple teams. "I'm sure it’s a fresh approach and a fresh outlook but end of the day the old maxim to 'get it right' always applies."
- QB measurements are always important. Here are the key ones:
Michigan QB JJ McCarthy
Height: 6-2 4/8
Weight: 219
Arm: 31 5/8
Hand: 9
Wingspan: 75 7/8
Height surprised a little and will help him. Arms and hands a little small.
North Carolina QB Drake Maye
Height: 6-4 3/8
Weight: 223
Arm: 32 2/8
Hand: 9 1/8
Wingspan: 76 1/8
This is a man.
Oregon QB Bo Nix
Height: 6-2 1/8
Weight: 214
Arm: 30 7/8
Hand: 10 1/8
Wingspan: 74 2/8
Good size.
Washington QB Michael Penix
Height: 6-2 2/8
Weight: 216
Arm: 33.62
Hand: 10.5
Wingspan: 81
Long arms and hands.
USC QB Caleb Williams
Height: 6-1 1/8
Weight: 214
Arm: 32
Hand: 9.75
Wingspan: 75.88
Good enough with his playing style.
South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler
Height: 6-0 2/8
Weight: 211
Arm: 31
Hand: 9.88
Wingspan: 74.75
Height is going to be a hit to his stock. Might be Day 3.
- As far as the QB on-field workouts, where the top 3 sat out, on Saturday night, I'd rate the throwing portion like this:
1. Michael Penix Jr.: Easily the best of the group. Very few prospects can throw the ball like Penix in this type of setting. Everything is accurate and perfectly timed. Deep ball is exquisite.
2. J.J. McCarthy: He can make just about all the throws but he doesn't quite drive the ball as well as you would want in the first round to the deep parts of the field. Much more of an intermediate thrower.
3. Devin Leary, Kentucky: Probably the surprise of the drills. Made all the throws with good timing. Top end talent isn't there but he can throw it.
4. Spencer Rattler: For his size, he powers the ball well.
5. Bo Nix: I saw him at the Senior Bowl where he was very mediocre, and this workout underwhelmed. Certainly enough arm strength but anticipation is not great. I must be missing something with him, maybe he's a gamer, because he has yet to pop to me.
- On the receivers, these guys really popped in the on-field drills. in order:
Keon Coleman, FSU: Just outstanding. Fast and quiet hands.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia: Holy crap. He does it all.
Ricky Pearsall, Florida: Wow. Right there with the top 2.
Brian Thomas, LSU: So smooth and explosive.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina: Nifty and quiet for a big guy.
Luke McCaffrey, Rice: Totally polished like his dad.
Tez Walker, UNC: Smooth and quiet hands.
Note: Adonai Mitchell from Texas looked great early but was awful in the QB drills.