Position-by-Position Breakdown of New England Patriots' Top Combine Targets
The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine has finally arrived, folks. Starting Tuesday, representatives from all 32 NFL teams were in Indianapolis to evaluate 330 of this year's draft hopefuls. These incoming rookies will be put through the athletic and mental paces by teams and analysts while undergoing physical and medical evaluations.
One of the teams at the combine will be the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. New England might still possess one of the best rosters in the league heading into the draft. However, the Patriots cannot just fire blind shots in the April 27-29 draft and hope to sustain their championship success.
Like every other team, head coach Bill Belichick and Co. will have to properly evaluate this year's talent and do so with a focus on improving his team.
We're here to take a look at the specific positions the Patriots should be focusing on during the scouting combine. We'll examine why the Patriots should target these spots and run through some of the top players at each position.
We'll be examining players who realistically could fall into New England's draft range, though we will leave a little room for trade possibilities. We won't be focusing on projected top-10 prospects, even though New England will be evaluating them, too.
If the Patriots think they can effectively deal backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for a high first-round pick, they could make a play for some top-rated prospects you aren't going to find here.
Quarterback
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New England isn't in a position where drafting a quarterback is necessary—at least not right now. You can bet, however, that the team will be closely evaluating the signal-callers at the combine. There are two reasons for this.
For one, the Patriots will want to know what the draft has to offer in terms of top-end quarterback talent. This should help the team put a value on any potential Garoppolo trade. New England will also want to determine if there is a quality developmental quarterback available that the team could use to replace Garoppolo in its future plans.
Here, we're going to focus on players the Patriots themselves may want to draft in the mid-to-late rounds. Guys like Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, Mitch Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes will be evaluated, but don't expect the Patriots to target them.
Brad Kaaya, Miami
Miami's Brad Kaaya has the size (6'4", 216 pounds) and the field vision that teams generally look for in a pocket passer. He completed 62 percent of his passes in 2016 for 3,532 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, scouts seem to believe that Kaaya lacks the arm strength to be a high-end NFL starter.
NFL Media's Lance Zierlein, for example, compares Kaaya to USC product Cody Kessler. Kessler carried similar arm-strength questions into last year's draft and was ultimately selected in the third round by the Cleveland Browns. He started eight games as a rookie.
Kaaya could be a guy the Patriots groom to a Matt Cassel- or Brian Hoyer-type.
Davis Webb, California
Cal's Davis Webb doesn't have the experience in a pro-style offense that Kaaya possesses, but he does seem to have more pro upside.
"I think he will end up being the best quarterback of this draft class," one unnamed NFL executive told NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah.
It doesn't seem likely that Webb will last until the third round or later—where I would expect the Patriots to target a signal-caller—but if he slides, the Patriots could pounce. There are a lot of similarities between Webb and 2016 first overall pick Jared Goff. Given time and development, Webb could become a legitimate star in New England's offense.
Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's Nathan Peterman is another quarterback coming from a pro-style offense with the potential to thrive early in New England's system. Teams like New England, though, will want to get a close look at his throwing mechanics and his ability to make NFL throws.
While Peterman was an effective leader at Pittsburgh, he wasn't regularly asked to sling the ball all over the field. He did complete 60.5 percent of his passes in 2016, but he passed for just 2,885 yards.
Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's Jerod Evans is a prospect who could intrigue the Patriots. He appears to have all the physical tools, including size (6'4", 230 lbs) and athletic ability. Last season, Evans produced 3,552 yards passing, 846 yards rushing and 41 combined touchdowns. He also completed over 63 percent of his passes and tossed just eight interceptions.
The problem is that Evans has just the one year of starting experience.
"He made a huge mistake coming out. There are so many players who won't gain anything on their draft value by going back to school, but he wasn't one of them. He still has to have reps and learn to play quarterback," one AFC scout said, per NFL Media's Lance Zierlein.
If the Patriots fall in love with Evans' upside, they could decide to spend the next few years developing him.
C.J. Beathard, Iowa
Iowa's C.J. Beathard is yet another quarterback coming into the NFL from a pro-style offense. He was limited by injuries in 2016 but did have an impressive 2015 campaign—61.6 completion percentage, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.
While Beathard appears to have limited upside, he could fill the backup role in New England if the team decides that Jacoby Brissett can become the future at quarterback.
Running Back
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Running back isn't the biggest position of need for New England, but it could be a position the Patriots look to target. A lot will depend on what the team plans to do with 30-year-old LeGarrette Blount, who is slated to become a free agent.
New England has quality depth in James White and Dion Lewis, but the team could look for a starting-caliber back to handle the rushing load moving forward. Fortunately, New England may be able to secure one without having to trade up at all.
"There are five backs this year that you can give a first-round grade," NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock recently said, per Peter King of TheMMQB.com. "And the average number of backs to go in the first round in the last five years is 1.2."
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
There's a chance that former Stanford star Christian McCaffrey falls to the bottom of the first round, if he does, it would absolutely make sense for the Patriots to snag him. One of McCaffrey's biggest strengths is his versatility—versatility that could make him extremely valuable in New England's offense.
Mayock agreed with King that McCaffrey could be a great fit in New England and told him the following:
"The NFL's become a matchup league, and Christian McCaffrey is a matchup player. You can line him up anywhere: the I, slot, all the way out wide, sidecar to QB, he becomes a chess piece for a smart offensive mind. He will run 4.5 or better, and I've never seen him get caught from behind. He's going to be a very good NFL player.
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If McCaffrey does fall to the 32nd pick, he would be hard to pass on.
D'Onta Foreman, Texas
Texas' D'Onta Foreman might not come into the NFL as an every-down back, but this is OK because the Patriots have two guys who excel on passing downs. In terms of early-down rushing ability, Foreman is up there with the best prospects in this class.
Foreman rushed for 2,028 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Foreman was so impressive carrying the ball that former Texas star and Longhorn Network analyst Ricky Williams ever declared Foreman "a better running back" than himself.
While he probably isn't better than Williams, Foreman is a 6'1", 249-pound bruiser that could take over Blount's role.
Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
Alvin Kamara of Tennessee is another big runner (5'10", 215 lbs) who could help New England on early downs. Kamara doesn't have big-time production (he rushed for just 596 yards last season) and he has a history of run-ins with the law, but his physical potential is huge.
Yahoo senior NFL writer Charles Robinson believes that teams could view Kamara on the same level as Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook by the end of the combine. If Kamara really does test that well, he might not be a realistic option for the Patriots.
New England might just hope that the off-field issues—and perhaps an understated combine performance—allow him to become a realistic Day 2 target.
Kareem Hunt, Toledo
Since the Patriots care much less about where a player comes from than what he can do on the field, Kareem Hunt of Toledo seems like a perfect target for the team later in the draft. He is a solid back (5'11", 208 lbs) with some versatility in the backfield.
Last year at Toledo, Hunt amassed 1,475 yards rushing, 403 yards receiving and 11 total scores. He rushed for 118 yards and was named North Team MVP in January's Senior Bowl.
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey is definitely what you would consider an undersized back. At 5'8" and 169 pounds, he probably isn't what the Patriots are looking for in a potential replacement for Blount.
However, Pumphrey the athlete is someone the Patriots could show interest in. He was productive (2,133 yards rushing just last season) and elusive in college. He's the type of player the Patriots could look to find a role for after he's already a member of the team.
Size is likely to push Pumphrey down draft boards, and New England could be the perfect team to take advantage.
Tight End
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There are two reasons why the Patriots should have tight ends on their radar. The first is that Martellus Bennett is likely to test the open market. The second is that the team might want to consider a possible future without Rob Gronkowski.
Even if Gronkowski stops experiencing injury issues and plays out the rest of his career in New England, it isn't going to hurt to have a quality tight end complementing him. Fortunately, this year's class appears to be relatively stacked at the position.
O.J. Howard, Alabama
Alabama's O.J. Howard is widely regarded as the most complete tight end in this year's draft class. He showed plenty of offensive production last season—catching 45 passed for 595 yards and three touchdowns—but he also proved his worth as a blocker.
Pro Football Focus rated Howard first overall among all college tight ends this past season.
New England would almost certainly have to trade up in order to acquire Howard, but he could provide a ton of value and versatility to the team's offense.
David Njoku, Miami
If the Patriots are more interested in acquiring a legitimate weapon at the tight end position, the team might want to target Miami's David Njoku. The 6'4", 245-pound prospect has the type of athleticism that Patriots once had in Aaron Hernandez, and he could give New England the mismatches the team had when Hernandez and Gronkowski were both on the field.
"Njoku should annihilate the combine with monster numbers in speed and explosion, but his play on the field shows he's more than a combine warrior," NFL Media's Lance Zierlein recently wrote of Njoku.
Njoku is another prospect the Patriots might have to trade up to get, but he could provide a lot of offensive punch during Tom Brady's remaining years.
Evan Engram, Mississippi
Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram is another with top-end athletic potential. While he isn't likely to possess a massive size advantage (6'3", 236 lbs), he could be a dangerous weapon at the pro level.
"Outside of O.J. Howard, I think Engram is the best tight end in this draft for what he is going to offer. He's just like Jordan Reed. He's going to get open against everyone they put on him, and that guy competes, too," one AFC scout told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein.
Jake Butt, Michigan
Michigan's Jake Butt might not be the athletic, mismatch-creating tight end that some of these other guys can be, but he does have the tools to develop into a solid pro. He caught 46 passes for 456 yards last season and was rated 14th in receiving among tight ends by Pro Football Focus.
The problem with Butt is that he was forced to undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL late in the season and has twice torn his ACL over the past three years. Medical checks at the combine are going to be directly related to his eventual draft stock.
If the Patriots are confident that Butt can and will fully recover, they may make him a value target the same way they did with Gronkowski when injury concerns caused his draft slide.
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Ashland's Adam Shaheen isn't a household name, but he could become one after the scouting combine. He posses an incredibly large frame (6'6", 277 lbs) but he also seems to have the athletic ability to excel as a pass-catcher. The Division II player racked up 867 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
If Shaheen tests well at the combine, he's likely to generate a lot of interest from teams. The Patriots, whose offense essentially revolves around creating mismatches, could be one.
"He's clearly the third-best tight end in this year's class, and I think you'll start to hear first-round buzz about him by the time his workout is finished," one NFL executive told NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah.
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Edge-Rusher
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Even though the Patriots fielded the league's top scoring defense in 2016 (just 15.6 points per game allowed) there is room for improvement on that side of the ball—specifically at rushing the passer.
As a team, the Patriots were rated just 24th in pass rushing by Pro Football Focus. This makes last year's stingy defense look even more impressive, but it also shows where the team can make improvements. It doesn't help that defensive ends Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long are both scheduled to become free agents this offseason.
Finding a dedicated edge-rusher should be one of the biggest priorities in the draft.
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
UCLA's Takkarist McKinley is one of the pass-rushers in this class who could fall to the bottom of the first round despite possessing top-end traits. One reason for this is the fact that he is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery shortly after the combine.
Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole reports that McKinley will participate at the combine, but he could also miss five or six months after it.
If New England is willing to deal with the possibility of not having their top rookie for the offseason (and possibly part of the season), the Patriots might be able to snag a defender who racked up 68 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks last season.
Tim Williams, Alabama
Alabama pass-rusher Tim Williams is another top-tier guy who could potentially fall in the draft—though he could slide due to off-field issues. If New England feels the team can provide Williams with a safe and stable environment, they could get themselves a steal by drafting him.
"His raw speed off the edge is too much for many offensive tackles to match, helping him to average a pressure once every 4.9 pass-rushing attempts," Pro Football Focus noted in a recent draft profile on Williams.
The Patriots really didn't have a legitimate speed-rusher in 2016. They could change this by taking a chance on Williams. Combine interviews will be critical here.
T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
The little brother of pass-rushing superstar J.J. Watt, Wisconsin's T.J. Watt is a sack artist who relies on strength and motor more than raw athletic ability. At 6'5" and 243 pounds, Watt would almost certainly play end for the Patriots, where he could rush in 4-3 alignments.
Watt amassed 63 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks for the Badgers in 2016. At the combine, the Patriots should be able to get an idea just how well Watt compares to his older brother athletically.
If New England likes what it sees, Watt could be another option at the end of Round 1.
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
If the Patriots decide to go with another position early in the draft, Kansas State's Jordan Willis could be a consideration on Day 2. Willis isn't the type of physically overwhelming sack artist who is likely to go at the top of the draft, but he did have some solid production at Kansas State.
Last season, Willis amassed 52 tackles and 11.5 sacks. He was also named Big 12 defensive player of the year. Depending on what the Patriots decide to do in free agency, Willis is a guy who could potentially replace Sheard or Long in the defensive rotation.
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
Illinois' Carroll Phillips is another possible Day 2 prospect whom the Patriots could target. Phillips was extremely productive at Illinois—he produced 56 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and nine sacks last season—but scouts don't seem as high on his pro potential.
"He had the better season, but [Dawuane] Smoot is more skilled and will probably be the better pro. Smoot will get drafted higher, I know that," one AFC scout told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein.
Smoot is widely expected to be a first-round prospect. If the Patriots like what they see in Phillips at the combine, he could be their Day 2 consolation prize.
Cornerback
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The Patriots had one of the best secondaries in the entire NFL last season. In fact, Pro Football Focus rated New England first in pass coverage for the year. Yet, there are two big reasons why the Patriots should be wise to target a cornerback in the draft.
The first reason is that a team simply cannot have too many quality pass defenders. The second is that starting cornerback Logan Ryan—who was rated 38th overall among all cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus last season—is scheduled to become a free agent.
If Ryan is allowed to leave, the Patriots will be left with a sizable hole in their secondary.
Gareon Conley, Ohio State
Ohio State's Gareon Conley might not be as highly coveted as former teammate Marshon Lattimore, but he is still a cornerback whom the Patriots might have to trade up to secure.
"He's not as good as the other cornerback [Lattimore], but he's a good corner. If he measures over 6 foot and runs in the low 4.4s, he will come off the board on Thursday night," one NFC scout told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein.
Conley, at 6'1" and 195 pounds, is physical and should fit New England's defense perfectly. He produced 26 tackles, eight passes defended and four interceptions for the Buckeyes in 2016. Pro Football Focus rated him 28th overall among corners for the season.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
Jourdan Lewis isn't as big as some of the corners in this class (5'10", 188 lbs), but he is a physical player and a versatile one. He produced 25 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 11 passes defended in 2016 for the Wolverines.
Lewis also flashed some ability as a kick returner, averaging 18.1 yards per kickoff return. He is a guy the Patriots could potentially target on Day 2 to step into the secondary rotation and to help fill a role on special teams.
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson
Clemson product Cordrea Tankersley is another cornerback prospect the Patriots could look to target on Day 2. He is physical (6'1", 200 lbs) and also an accomplished tackler. Last season, Tankersley produced 52 tackles to go with 11 passes defended and four interceptions.
Tankersley's willingness to go after the ball-carrier should fit right in with what the Patriots like to do on defense. While Tankersley's coverage abilities might not be on par with some of the other top corners in this class, his collegiate production is hard to argue against. Pro Football Focus rated him second overall among all cornerbacks in 2016.
New England might actually hope for a disappointing combine from Tankersley in order to keep his stock from rising to the first-round level.
Cameron Sutton, Tennessee
New England should like the fact that Tennessee's Cameron Sutton comes out of college as a four-year starter. What could concern the team is the fact that Sutton missed half of the 2016 season with a fractured ankle. Medical checks will be important for Sutton at the combine.
Before the ankle injury, though, Sutton was a quality defender. He produced 28 tackles, six passes defended and an interception in 2015. He had seven total interceptions during his time at Tennessee.
At 5'11" and 182 pounds, Sutton may be more of a nickel or dime corner at the pro level. However, it would be unwise to pretend that this isn't an important role, considering the modern NFL passing game. Sutton could have solid Day 2 value if he checks out medically.
Adoree' Jackson, USC
If the Patriots are looking for a cornerback with freakish athletic ability, USC's Adoree' Jackson just might be their guy. Jackson has the physical tools to play almost anywhere on the field—and he did as Southern California.
Jackson saw reps at cornerback, wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner during his college career. The Patriots would almost certainly love the versatility he could bring to the team. In addition, Jackson appears to be developing into a solid cover corner. Jackson had eight passes defended and an interception in 2016.
Expect Jackson's potential as a pass defender and a special teams star to make him a New England target.
Linebacker
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Linebacker could become a sizable need for the Patriots by the time the draft rolls around. The team traded away Jamie Collins during the regular season and has yet to reach a new deal with defensive standout Dont'a Hightower.
The Patriots can still use the franchise tag to retain Hightower but only have until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday to do so. If the team decides not to use the tag, there's a very real chance Hightower will depart in the offseason. The Patriots would then need to draft his replacement.
Since we've already examined pass-rushers, we'll be looking more at non-rush linebackers here.
Jarrad Davis, Florida
Florida's Jarrad Davis might not be as big (6'2", 238 lbs) as some teams want at the linebacker position, but he is athletic and has the range to chase down ball-carriers and cover pass-catchers. Last season, Davis amassed 60 tackles, four passes defended and two sacks in only nine games.
Davis also seems to possess a passion for the game that the Patriots are likely to admire.
"He's a genuinely good guy, he works hard, he's the leader of this team. I can't praise that guy enough," teammate CeCe Jefferson said of Davis last offseason, per Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt's Zach Cunningham is another prospect with the kind of athleticism the Patriots should want in a non-rush linebacker. He racked up an impressive 125 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss and three passes defended last season.
The problem the Patriots might have with Cunningham is his skinny frame (6'4", 230 lbs). Cunningham is built more like a tall safety than a linebacker. This doesn't mean Cunningham cannot excel at the pro level, of course—only that he'll have to rely on his athletic talent to avoid blocks and actually make plays.
"We're split on Cunningham in the draft room, but we all agree he's going to test really well," one executive told NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah. "He can really run and he's going to impress teams in the interview room as well."
Kendell Beckwith, LSU
If the Patriots are willing to deal with some injury risk, LSU's Kendell Beckwith could be a perfect target for Day 2 or later in the draft.
Beckwith amassed 91 tackles, four passes defended and a sack as a starter in 2016, and he possesses the size to start in the NFL (6'4", 247 lbs). However, Beckwith also tore his ACL late in the season and will need satisfactory medical checks at the combine to fully land on New England's radar.
Connor Harris, Lindenwood
Lindenwood's Connor Harris is another guy the Patriots could target in the mid-to-late rounds, especially considering his small-school background isn't likely to be an issue for New England. The fact is that Harris can play. Just last season, he amassed 138 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and two interceptions.
Harris was named the 2016 Cliff Harris Award award winner as the top defender among Divisions II, III and NAIA programs.
"He's a good player. He's a Division I player who happens to play Division II. I don't think he ever gets tired because he is always in on plays or right there next to them," one NFC scouting director told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein.
It certainly sounds like Harris has the kind of relentless motor the Patriots would love.
Blair Brown, Ohio
Blair Brown is another guy from a relatively small school who could wind up on New England's radar late in the draft. The Ohio product produced 128 tackles, 15.0 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks in 2016.
Brown projects as a rotational run defender and special teams contributor with New England. Given the importance the Patriots place on special teams, Brown could really raise his value with a strong combine performance.
All player measurements via NFL.com
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