We are just one month away from the 2024 NFL Draft and there is still no clear indication yet, as to what the New England Patriots will do with the No.3 overall selection. What we do know is that the Chicago Bears have made it known that USC quarterback Caleb Williams will be the No.1 overall pick. There also seems to be strong signals out of D.C., that the Washington Commanders will choose LSU signal-caller and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at No. 2. That would put the Patriots on the clock. We are currently in the heart of pro day season, as we attempt to follow the crumbs left behind by New England along the scouting trails.
On Wednesday, March 20th, New England director of scouting Eliot Wolf, along with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterback coach TC McCartney, joined the Bears at USC pro day to do their due diligence on Williams. The trio was then joined by head coach Jerod Mayo at Michigan pro day later in the week on Friday, March 22nd, to check out JJ McCarthy. It was a flawless performance by the Wolverines captain, as he continues to check off all the boxes throughout the draft process. This week, team brass is expected to be on hand at LSU (Daniels) and North Carolina (Drake Maye) pro days. All signs would seem to point strongly towards a quarterback, with either Maye or McCarthy expected to be available.
However, on Thursday, March 21st, Patriots offensive line coach Scott Peters was spotted at the Notre Dame workout to check out left tackle Joe Alt, a projected top-ten selection. The Fighting Irish also have a draft-eligible right tackle in Blake Fisher but teams don’t typically send an offensive line coach to scout late-round prospects. So, is New England at least entertaining calls on the No.3 pick?
With Jacoby Brissett and Nathan Rourke as the only quarterbacks currently under contract it’s hard to envision anything but a new signal-caller in round one but a trade down scenario still remains a possibility. Potential trade partners would include the Los Angeles Chargers (No.5 overall) and Minnesota Vikings (No.11 & No.23 overall). Of course, additional future first-round pick/s would need to be included in any type of trade package but it remains to be seen if New England can be enticed by a mega offer.
While Pats executives were zig-zagging their way across the country to evaluate prominent quarterback prospects and blue-chip players, it was a big week on the New England pro day circuit, as the scene was bustling with numerous team scouts. One of the driving forces behind the Patriots being able to identify under-the-radar prospects in their own backyard over the years has been personnel director Brian Smith, who has been with the organization since 2000. Considered to be one of the most well-respected scouts in the NFL, Smith led four workouts this past week, which included about 75 prospects in total.
On the same day that Williams was throwing darts in Southern Los Angeles, 31 NFL teams were on hand 3,000 miles away at UConn pro day. The Huskies workout featured Christian Haynes, who started 49 consecutive games at right guard and defensive tackle Eric Watts, both of whom were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine last month.
For Haynes, he looked the part of a starting-caliber pro during his positional drills, something that his film backs up. He stood on his combine numbers and weighed in three pounds heavier (320) than he did in Indy. The 6-foot-3 Haynes, who owns NFL bloodlines (brother is Marcus Haynes of Texans), projects as a Day 2 prospect and would certainly fit the Patriots needs.
His counterpart Watts also stood on his combine times but did test in the short shuttle (4.38) and three-cone (7.48). Measuring in at nearly 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, Watts has a high cut frame which makes him somewhat of a tweener. He projects as a mid-to-late-round prospect who can play up and down the defensive line. New England could see value in his versatility should he slide.
Anyone who has been an avid follower of the UConn program has an admired appreciation for the toughness and dependability of linebacker Jackson Mitchell. The heart and soul of the Huskies defense with 438 career tackles, Mitchell has battled through a wrist injury the past two seasons. He gutted through the East-West Shrine Bowl in January and endured the pro day workout, despite not being 100%. A consummate pro, Mitchell timed in the 4.80-range in the forty-yard dash, which could call into question his speed. Although, it would not be surprising to see the Ridgefield, Connecticut native wind up in Pats training camp.
The UConn pro day featured 20 players in total and hosted a slew of various small school players from the area. Most notably, Yale wideout Mason Tipton, who entered the event with some buzz. The previous day, Tipton (an Akron native) was allowed to workout at the Tulane pro day, where he wowed scouts by running in the low 4.3-range (confirmed times with scouts included 4.31/4.33). That is one way to gain NFL attention! His momentum carried over when he arrived at Storrs, as Tipton ran fluid routes and demonstrated impressive burst, plus sticky hands. This is one name worth monitoring during the undrafted free agent signing process.
One last notable item from UConn, includes Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadijie, who was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and combine but has been unable to compete due to a season-ending quad injury. The 6-foot-5, All-Ivy League standout weighed in at 325 pounds and was able to do 21 bench press reps of 225 pounds. He will conduct a private workout for NFL teams on the Bulldogs campus in New Haven on April 3rd. On film, Amegadijie projects as a top-75 prospect but it’s unknown how much of the medical evaluation will play a part in his draft stock.
Later that day, scouts traveled 45 minutes west to Bryant University for a joint pro day with Rhode Island, where an additional 22 players participated. The long-shot to remember here is URI center Sebastian Delasoudas, a four-year starter and four-time team captain for the Rams. Standing in at barely 6-feet tall, he fails to meet NFL size standards but his effort, technique and grit could earn him a shot in Patriots rookie camp.
It’s rare to see Holy Cross have two combine invites and they benefitted on Thursday, as 30 NFL teams made the trek to Worcester, to get another look-see at springy wide receiver Jalen Coker and road-grader C.J. Hanson. The workout also featured another combine invite in New Hampshire jackknife running back Dylan Laube, along with 20 players in total with schools represented such as Bentley, Brown and Merrimack. All three players mentioned stand a legitimate chance to hear their name called on Day 3 of the draft.
The New England circuit was capped off on Friday by Boston College, as new head coach Bill O’Brien addressed representatives from 24 NFL teams about the new direction in which the program is headed. Alumnus Matt Hasselbeck was also present, as O’Brien was very adamant about making former BC players a big part of the culture he is developing on Chestnut Hill.
Many players have been highlighted thus far but none may get drafted higher than Eagles cornerback Elijah Jones, who brought his Harlem swagger. The lengthy cornerback possesses prototypical size at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds with room to grow, along with natural instincts and incredible burst, as evidenced by his 42.5” vertical jump at the combine. He participated in the short shuttle (4.35) and three-cone (7.07) drills at pro day. Most impressive was his hip fluidity and change of direction skills. There’s now a real shot that the fast-rising Jones could hear his name called in round two.
Other notable players from BC included offensive guard Christian Mahogany and center Kyle Hergel. Mahogany, a three-year starter who missed the 2022 campaign due to a torn ACL in his right knee, demonstrates somewhat of an inward leg stance but he seems to always get the job done in workmanlike fashion. He was amongst one of the most impressive players during the East-West Shrine Bowl practice week, winning the majority of his one-on-one reps largely due to well-coached fundamentals. He opted to stand on his combine times and will likely be chosen on Day 3 of the draft.
Hergel, a Toronto native, started five seasons across Texas State, North Dakota and Boston College. He’ll likely have to earn his way as an undrafted free agent but is a potential first-round pick in the upcoming CFL Draft, scheduled to be held in his hometown on April 30th, three days following the NFL Draft.
Lastly, for the first time in history, the Big 12 will host a conference-wide pro day event at ‘The Star,’ in Frisco, starting on Wednesday, March 25th and running through Sunday, March 31st. The Patriots are expected to have scouts in attendance for the four-day workout, featuring 137 participants. Be sure to keep it locked to Boston Sports Journal for exclusive coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft, your go-to source for New England sports!
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