Over the last seven years, the Patriots have selected 24 prospects that participated in the Senior Bowl. That’s top 10 in the NFL.
For New England, over the last 3 years, more than half the players they’ve selected played in their respective Senior Bowls: Keion White, Marte Mapu, Jake Andrews, Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Cole Strange, Marcus Jones (DNP), Bailey Zappe, Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Justin Herron.
The Patriots love this game, which is often filled with experienced players who have been captains — traits they have historically weighed strongly.
A few caveats around the selections. Last year I got all the players the Patriots ended up picking. Same with the year before (except Strange, missed on him).
There were some tough choices, but the good news is that the Patriots were well represented; they had a chance to interview everyone and see all these guys in person against top-tier competition.
OFFENSE
QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington): It’s a difficult setting for the QBs because everything is new, but the logic is that they’ll get better over the course of the week with more comfort. That wasn’t totally the case across the board. I didn’t come away feeling that anyone was a first-rounder.
This really came down to Penix Jr. or Spencer Rattler (South Carolina). We got the full Rattler experience; very talented, he looks good for long stretches, and throws a very pretty ball. You worry about his size and then then he’ll force a throw for a turnover.
I want the guy with the higher upside and that’s Penix Jr., in my opinion. When he’s settled and his feet are in sync, he can put balls in the bucket anywhere on the field.
RB MarShawn Lloyd (USC): I was impressed with his hands, he’s shifty and he has some real burst. I think he was the best RB here this week
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2024 NFL Draft Watch: A Patriots All-Senior Bowl team
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2024 NFL Draft Watch: A Patriots All-Senior Bowl team
Originally posted on Boston Sports Journal
By Kevin Field | Last updated 2/8/24
Over the last seven years, the Patriots have selected 24 prospects that participated in the Senior Bowl. That’s top 10 in the NFL.
For New England, over the last 3 years, more than half the players they’ve selected played in their respective Senior Bowls: Keion White, Marte Mapu, Jake Andrews, Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, Cole Strange, Marcus Jones (DNP), Bailey Zappe, Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Joshuah Bledsoe, Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Justin Herron.
The Patriots love this game, which is often filled with experienced players who have been captains — traits they have historically weighed strongly.
A few caveats around the selections. Last year I got all the players the Patriots ended up picking. Same with the year before (except Strange, missed on him).
There were some tough choices, but the good news is that the Patriots were well represented; they had a chance to interview everyone and see all these guys in person against top-tier competition.
OFFENSE
QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington): It’s a difficult setting for the QBs because everything is new, but the logic is that they’ll get better over the course of the week with more comfort. That wasn’t totally the case across the board. I didn’t come away feeling that anyone was a first-rounder.
This really came down to Penix Jr. or Spencer Rattler (South Carolina). We got the full Rattler experience; very talented, he looks good for long stretches, and throws a very pretty ball. You worry about his size and then then he’ll force a throw for a turnover.
I want the guy with the higher upside and that’s Penix Jr., in my opinion. When he’s settled and his feet are in sync, he can put balls in the bucket anywhere on the field.
RB MarShawn Lloyd (USC): I was impressed with his hands, he’s shifty and he has some real burst. I think he was the best RB here this week.
Third-Down RB Dylan Laube (New Hampshire): It was a significant jump in competition this week and he met the moment. I thought Laube was able to display his versatility (slot and out of the backfield) and he creates natural separation. From a roster-building view, he’ll also be able to contribute on ST early. This is a position of need for the Patriots.
WR1 Ladd McConkey (Georgia): Deep group of WRs this week and so this was the toughest position to select. McConkey is just a good football player. I said in the preview, I expect him to go top 50 and I feel even stronger about it now. He’s fast can accelerate out of breaks and is a great route runner.
WR2 Jamari Thrash (Louisville): Deceptively good player. He ran routes with great pace, and he kept finding him making plays or getting open. He also seemed to be decent after the catch. He’ll be underrated throughout this process.
Worth noting, I also really liked Luke McCaffrey (Ed’s son) and Brendan Rice (Jerry’s son) who would be solid targets early on Day 3.
Slot Roman Wilson (Michigan): He has great speed, maybe even better quickness, which created consistent separation this week. He’s a competitor and plays hard which is necessary for that role. He’ll be an effective chain mover, 3rd down target at the next level.
TE Ben Sinnott (TCU): I went with the guy who had the most consistent week and offered the most positional balance. Sinnott is crafty at the top of his routes and gets open. I was leaning Jared Wiley (TCU) before he got hurt early in the week. Theo Johnson (Penn St) also his moments. Both are more athletic tight ends that can create match-up problems.
LT Javon Foster (Missouri): He’s a potential Day 2 target for the Patriots. I thought he was consistent which others struggled with. Well-built and good athleticism. He was first-team All-SEC this year.
RT Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma): This one was close. I almost picked Taliese Fuaga (Oregon St) who got better as the week went on and played with noticeable power. You get the impression he’s hard to play against, which I like. But I gave the edge to Guyton because of his elite length (6-7, 328) and I think his athleticism (which is eye opening) should allow him to translate to left tackle, which is more valuable. I see Fuaga as a RT.
OG Christian Haynes (UConn): He was consistent all week. I liked his toughness and ability to anchor against the rush.
OG Layden Robinson (Texas A&M): He never stopped hustling, he played through the whistle, and he was physical all week. Good base to match power.
OC Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon): After investing in their interior last draft, I don’t see the Patriots going here early. But if they did, this would be the guy. I hadn’t watched him much before this week because he was an underclassman but he’s the real deal. Took some reps at guard which will help but he’s a rock in the middle. Balanced player who will be starting for someone next season.
A Day 3 target would be Andrew Raym (Oklahoma).
DEFENSE
Edge Adisa Isaac (Penn St): I’ve been a card-carrying advocate for a couple of years now. After a strong showing this week, he might not get out of Round 1. But if he does, he’s a potential target at the top of Round 2. He’s a 3-4 OLB who has athleticism to drop, plays hard and willing to battle in the run game, elite bend on the corner, and desired length on the edge. He’s better than his teammate, Chop Robinson, who you will see higher in mock drafts.
DE Darius Robinson (Missouri): Consistently good all week. Which backs up his tape this year, he was probably the second-best DE in the SEC this year. I would say he has the same physical makeup and position as Keion White. This would be an investment in the future of their edge for the next 5-7 years. I suspect he played himself into the first round.
Other Edge players who caught my eye were Austin Booker (Kansas), Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan), and Nelson Ceaser (Houston).
DT Braden Fiske (Florida St): He was consistently effective. Very good off the snap and plays with violence in his hands.
I didn’t like the NT position this week. T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) had his “wow” moments but for where they would have to pick him Top 75 – I would rather go in another direction. Good player in bursts but not enough snaps, not enough stamina.
DL Gabe Hall (Baylor): He has a lot of physical tools and could play multiple spots on the line (4i, 5, 3). He flashed consistently and I thought his swim move was impressive. He reminded me of Logan Hall (Tampa Bay).
LB Payton Wilson (NCST): The biggest part of his assessment will be medicals but the character, toughness, smarts, and play speed are all plus traits.
LB JD Bertrand (Notre Dame): He’s a Day 3 player but he was faster than I expected, 2x captain for the Irish, and he’ll nail the interviews with teams. Football will be the most important thing in his life.
CB Cam Hart (Notre Dame): His size would indicate he’s better in a zone scheme but I came away impressed at his physicality, size, and FBI.
CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo): Was the best corner in Mobile. Good speed, good height, good competitiveness. He was consistent all week. He’ll be a top 3 corner and won’t leave Round 1.
CB Jarvis Brownlee, Jr (Louisville): He wasn’t high on my radar, but he was very good this week. There were several times he ran the route for the wide receiver. He had an interception in the Senior Bowl game.
I also liked Chau Smith-Wade (Washington St) and Max Melton (Rutgers).
Nickel CB Kris Abrams-Draine (Missouri): He kept winning reps and seemed to have really strong instincts with a good change of direction. He was lined up outside but may be a better fit inside with those traits.
FS Evan Williams (Oregon): He’s a cerebral player that has experience in multiple different defenses. I had some questions on his coverage skills and willingness to be too aggressive, but he played well this week. He had an INT in the game on Saturday.
SS Sione Vaki (Utah): While I knew he was athletic (he was forced into a RB role this year and averaged 7.5 YPC), I wanted to see his speed. I thought it showed up and he was faster than I expected. He’s an ascending player.
