A vital part of the draft evaluation process involves official '30 visits,' as NFL teams are allowed to invite up to 30 draft-eligible players to visit their facility for in-person meetings, private interviews and medical checks. However, local products are excluded from this exercise. While certain prospects are targeted for '30 visits,' it doesn't guarantee that the player will be chosen by the organization. Many times, teams are looking to acquire more info on character, injuries, and intelligence. The game film ultimately remains the biggest aspect of scouting a player, but the personality must also fit. Finding out the DNA makeup of a player goes a long way towards determining whether or not a player is a good fit for the franchise.
"It's very important," Eliot Wolf said Monday. "We bring guys in for a variety of reasons, whether it's to get medical, to get them in front of Mike. If it's a guy we like that doesn't have a lot of red flags, we’re like, ‘Hey, Mike's going to love this guy.’ We do some of that. Don't tell Mike that [jokingly]. Then if there's some questions about the character, their learning, the position fit or again, like one that I mentioned earlier, we think this guy is definitely going to be able to play X receiver, but we want to bring him in and make sure that we think he can play multiple spots and how early could that be. So, there's a variety of reasons that we bring guys in. They've been great this year. We haven't eliminated anyone, as we've done in the past. So, it's been positive."
Thus far, we have learned of 26 prospects who have been to Foxborough for an official '30 visit,' encompassing just about every position. We have listed them all below, along with an overview of how each player might fit on the Patriots.
QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas - A starter for each of the past five seasons, there is certainly value in the experience that Daniels brings with 49 career games played, but his short stature and consistency woes would make it hard to justify using a draft selection. He was mentored by Jayhawks consultant and former NFL offensive coordinator John DeFilippo this past season, so there are plenty of positives to build upon as a possible developmental arm.
QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech - Few players are more exciting to watch than King, who can create with his legs just as much as his arm. He possesses adequate arm strength but isn't the type to push the ball downfield. Rather, King can work the intermediate passing attack well but is viewed more as a dangerous runner due to his size, toughness and difficulty to wrap up. He certainly offers more mobility than the current quarterbacks on the Patriots roster.
QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech - More of a traditional pocket-passer, Morton is very competent in the short-to-intermediate parts of the field but battled through various injuries this past season, demonstrating his toughness. A projected mid-to-late round signal-caller, Morton could have a long pro career as a backup due to his accuracy, quick release, and anticipation. While the ceiling isn't as high as other top prospects, his experience bodes well for the next level.
RB Kaelon Black, Indiana - One of the top-rated combine snubs, Black was a workhorse back for the national champion Hoosiers this past season, demonstrating a hard-nosed running style, cutback explosiveness and breakaway speed. He is also one of the best athletes at his position, and Black owns great lower-body strength, which enables him to pick up additional yards after contact. An under-the-radar prospect, Black projects as a mid-to-late round selection.
RB Adam Randall, Clemson - The former linebacker-turned-running back displays a physical running style, which lends itself well to being able to run between the tackles. The most impressive aspect of his overall game is the ability to break tackles in the open field, as he constantly keeps his legs churning upon contact. In addition, Randall is an exceptional pass-catcher out of the backfield. His well-rounded skill-set should place him in the middle rounds.
WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati - Another player not invited to Indy, Allen was one of the most impressive players along the all-star game trails, flashing explosive burst off the line of scrimmage. Few wideouts have more speed than Allen, who visited the end zone 14 times this past season. His straight line speed and acceleration make for the perfect slot weapon who can take the top off of any defense. Look for Allen to hear his name called on the final day of the draft.
WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M - A shifty wide receiver who is able to create after the catch, Concepcion translates as a gadget-type weapon, capable of doing damage downfield but is most effective in short areas, where he can utilize his elusiveness. He was often targeted on bubble screens and was featured on end-arounds, where his quickness allows him to out-run defenders, often turning short throws into big-play gains. A projected top 50 prospect, Coleman will be off the board early.
WR Jordan Hudson, SMU - A possession-type wideout who shows no fear crossing the middle, Hudson owns enough elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field, but lacks breakaway speed and has struggled with concentration drops at times throughout his collegiate career. A potential late-round prospect, the Mustangs' wideout might be worth a dart throw as a practice squad stash.
WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss - While the production doesn't exactly scream out on the stat sheet, Stribling possesses a prototypical frame, along with blazing speed and tremendous athleticism. A polished route runner with natural play instincts, Stribling thrives with his ability to turn upfield and 'go' after the catch. A fast-riser leading up to the draft, he projects as a possible starter and could turn out to be an even better pro, making him a potential top 100 candidate.
TE Oscar Delp, Georgia - There are plenty of positives to like about Delp, including an ideal frame, top-notch testing marks and a multi-faceted skill-set, which makes him a reliable option as a pass-catcher, or blocker. He excels in run blocking and can line up in-line. While Delp certainly possesses the tools to be an impact player, NFL teams must decipher why he didn't play a larger role in the Bulldogs offense. A hairline fracture in his foot makes his draft projection a bit more unpredictable.
OT Travis Burke, Memphis - New England has been linked to Burke throughout the draft process and also met with him privately at his pro day workout. A run-blocking specialist with immense size, Burke experienced a growth spurt during his senior year of high school and may be viewed more as a late bloomer. However, there are limitations and his lack of bend does tend to cause him to struggle against the speedier pass-rushers. Burke may have played himself into the late Day 3 equation.
OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State - One of the most memorable scenes from the draft season was watching Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel get hands-on with Iheanachor at the Sun Devils pro day. There is no doubt that New England is considering selecting him with the No.31 overall pick, if he makes it that far. The team also met with him at the combine, as Iheanachor is viewed as a starting right tackle prospect. He moved from Nigeria at the age of 13 and is relatively new to the sport.
OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon - Should New England seek a 'safe' selection on Day 2 of the draft, Pregnon is not a sexy selection but he is a plug-and-play caliber guard with multiple years of starting experience for the Ducks after beginning his career at Wyoming. His size, length and discipline create the ideal guard makeup, while Pregnon has demonstrated keen ability to climb to the second level and pull down the line.
OG Jeremiah Wright - Another popular player making the NFL rounds on '30 visits' has been Wright, who brings a tenacious demeanor inside the trenches, along with a stout anchor and excellent length. In addition, his versatility to play either guard spot and tackle only enhances his draft value. The Patriots made sure to do their due diligence, also meeting with him at his pro day. With so much draft momentum building up to April, Wright could now land on Day 2.
DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State - New England has identified McDonald as another potential option with their first round draft choice. A one-year starter for the Buckeyes, McDonald earned a reputation for gobbling up double teams and providing stellar run-stuffing ability. He would seem to be a natural fit and upgrade to replace Khyiris Tonga, who departed this offseason to sign with the Chiefs.
ER Keyron Crawford, Auburn - A team captain with steady production, Crawford has been able to influence the quarterback as a pass-rusher, while also demonstrating the ability to drop back in coverage on occasion and hold his own. He would seem to fit in New England as a rotational edge presence, with the upside to emerge as a dependable cog down the road, as he has played just five years of organized football.
ER George Gumbs Jr., Florida - The former wide receiver possesses 'Gumby-like' length, plus physicality and power. He anchors well, displays a strong ability to stack-and-shed blocks, and posts some of the most impressive measurables at his position. While Gumbs Jr. brings huge developmental upside, he may have to start his career as a special teams contributor, as he continues to hone his craft but the long-term value is his greatest appeal, projecting as a mid-round selection.
ER Romello Height, Texas Tech - Playing in the shadow of fellow edge rusher David Bailey, the highly competitive Height was also very productive for the Red Raiders, flashing a quick first step and great closing speed to get to the quarterback. Hearing talk that he may be more of a finesse-rusher, Height has made a conscious effort to bulk up since the season ended and demonstrated a powerful bull-rush throughout Senior Bowl week. He projects as a Day 2 selection.
ER R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma - One of the more explosive edge rushers, Thomas has been scrutinized for his lack of arm length. While his talent is undeniable, he'll likely have to play as a standup linebacker at the next level, in order to maximize his speed and quickness. He has sustained multiple ankle injuries throughout his career, along with quad/groin issues in the past, so durability remains a concern. Still, Thomas appears to be knocking on the first round door.
ER Zion Young, Missouri - A very serious-minded young man, Young specializes in setting the edge against the run, while flashing glimpses of power that generate great leverage when engaging. Despite the brute strength, NFL decision-makers would like to see him be more violent and deliberate when attacking the quarterback. Young possesses all the tools to be a successful three-down pro but has yet to put it all together, which makes him an early-round risk/reward proposition.
LB Khalil Jacobs, Missouri - An off-ball linebacker who tested through the roof at his pro day, Jacobs was flying under the radar until his on-campus workout. A downhill defender with a high motor and vast special teams experience, Jacobs could be viewed as a potential late-round replacement for Marte Mapu, who was recently dealt off to the Texans. New England also met with Jacobs at his pro day and held a virtual meeting with him as well.
CB Devon Marshall, North Carolina State - Despite not receiving an invite to the combine, Marshall had some positive momentum building up during the draft process, as one of the top performers during East-West Shrine Bowl week. However, an abysmal forty-yard dash time now has NFL decision-makers considering a move to safety for his pro career. The Wolfpack defender would likely be an undrafted free agent signing following the draft.
CB Karon Prunty, Wake Forest - An instinctive boundary corner, Prunty is a ball-hawk with astute awareness, great length and natural ball-skills. His aggressiveness cab be a blessing and a curse, as he can sometimes jumps the gun a bit early, resulting in getting burned deep. However, that is part of the package that is Prunty, who also duals as a willing contributor in defending the run with sound open-field tackling ability. He projects as a late round/undrafted free agent prospect.
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo - A dark-horse candidate for the Patriots' first round selection, McNeil-Warren had plenty of offers to jump up to the 'Power-Four' level but chose to remain loyal to the Rockets program. His well-rounded skill-set projects best as a freelance safety, but he owns the flexibility to also play in the box. His fearlessness, along with the size and speed to square up tight ends, or running backs would be a huge coup for New England.
S Malik Spencer, Michigan State - With plenty of experience as a three-year starter for the Spartans, Spencer brings value in his versatility to play either safety spot and was even used as an occasional blitzer at times. He has been praised by coaches for his intangibles such as high character, top-notch football IQ and leadership, which would make Spencer a late round backup option for the Patriots to consider.
S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State - One of the older prospects in this year's draft, Wheatley is 24 years old, which speaks to his extensive experience. The highly physical Wheatley fits best as an in-the-box safety due to his physical prowess and tendency to crash the line of scrimmage. What makes him so unique is his cerebral smarts, sound tackling and consistency, which should see him be able to compete for a starting job immediately. He projects as a mid-round value.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LOCAL PRO DAY
The Patriots held their local pro day last week for prospects who played, or hail from the New England area. Typically, these workouts can lend itself to finding some real diamonds in the rough. While New England hasn't found much success of late, these players should never be written off entirely. You never know when the next Joe Andruzzi might be discovered. The former Southern Connecticut State product found his way to New England as an undrafted free agent in 1997 and played an integral role on three of the Patriots' Super Bowl-winning teams. Below is the full list of local pro day participants:
- QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut State
- RB Greg Desrosiers, Memphis (Lawrence, MA)
- RB Jordan McDonald, Boston College
- WR Eamonn Dennis, Ohio (Worcester, MA))
- WR Solomon Miller, Brown
- WR Jack Morvan, Nichols
- WR Ty Pezza, Brown
- WR Noah Short, Army
- TE Eni Falayi, Wake Forest (Boston, MA)
- TE Ademola Faleye, Washington State (Brockton, MA)
- TE Jeremiah Franklin, Boston College
- TE Louis Hansen, UConn
- OT Kevin Cline, Boston College
- OT Ryan Mosesso, UMass
- OG Logan Taylor, Boston College
- C Greg Crippen, Michigan (Northboro, MA)
- C Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth
- DT Sedarius McConnell, Boston College
- DT Michael Otty, Bryant
- ER TJ Guy, Michigan (Mansfield, MA)
- ER Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
- LB Bryun Parham, UConn
- CB Elias Archie, Brown
- CB Shahid Barros, Iowa (New Bedford, MA)
- CB Malcolm Greene, UMass
- CB Devon Marshall, North Carolina State (Boston, MA)
- LS Ben Mann, Boston College
*A certified draftnik, Ric Serritella has been covering the NFL Draft for the past 24 cycles. For year-round coverage of the NFL Draft, be sure to follow @NFLDraftBible.