On their next cb selection
defenders can jam receivers within the first five yards, but can’t touch them after.
College football allows contact of any receiver as long as the ball isn’t in the air.
“You can touch receivers downfield in college. You can jam them outside of five yards,” said Wilcots. “The five-yard bump rule doesn’t exist in college. You can lean, jab, hold ’em and grab them, as long as the ball ain’t coming.
“So when you come to this league, you have to keep your hands off after five yards. If you’re used to grabbing, it’s going to get handed to you.”
The pro game favors receivers and offense in general. With the rules not unified, college players have to adjust. Some defenders adjust better than others.
Needless to say, there’s some projection involved trying to determine who might have success locking down receivers in the pros.
Beyond adjusting to the rules, corners have to be adept at playing both press man-coverage and zone coverage. Not every school plays both.
“So you need the physical traits and the mental processing, too,” said Wilcots, a former NFL defensive back. “You have to be smart, you have to understand formations, you have to communicate a lot and be athletically freakish.”
That certainly narrows the field.
New Patriots personnel head Matt Groh, during a video session with the media on April 15, said the Patriots were “evaluating” their processes along with the way they evaluate different positions when asked specifically about corner.
“We’re constantly trying to evolve and adapt and trying to find better ways, more efficient ways of going about that,” he said.
Wilcots offered some advice.
He said the Patriots wouldn’t go wrong with top corners from Washington, either McDuffie or Kyler
Gordon. Or the defensive backs from LSU (Stingley, Cordale Flott) or Alabama (Jalyn Armour-Davis). Those schools emphasize playing both man and zone.
The Patriots are almost on the clock. Whether it’s in the draft, or an undrafted free agent, it’s a position they really can’t afford to miss.
The WR class
Getting back to another need of the Patriots, NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah was asked Thursday during a video call how this receiving class compared to those in the past couple of years.
Jeremiah provided context, which is important to keep in mind if the Pats opt to add to Mac Jones‘ arsenal.
“I think this is a really solid group. I think this top six or seven guys I really, really like,” he said. “Now, there’s not a Ja’Marr Chase. I would have a higher grade on Ja’Marr Chase than anybody in this group. Devonta Smith, I would have a higher grade. Same with Jaylen Waddle .I would probably take those guys over anybody in this group.
“But I really like this group, and I think it’s, again, you got those six or seven guys that you really like there at the top,” he went on. “I don’t think the depth into like the fourth round and beyond is as good as some of the others we’ve seen, but I think up until that point it’s pretty good.
“The reason why we’ve seen these guys not only have — every year we continue to see these numbers, but these guys are having more success early than ever before. I just attribute it to the fact that every high school in the country just about is running a spread offense, they’re throwing it all over the place.”
Miller seeks longevity
The Bills made a significant splash in free agency signing edge rusher Von Miller, who was lured away from the Rams with a six-year, $120 million contract, and the desire to play with Josh Allen.
Miller, who reported for voluntary workouts with his new team on Tuesday, is expected to give the Bills pass rush a jolt, even at age
33.
On Wednesday, Miller was asked by the Bills media if it was possible for him to last the length of the deal, much less continue to be effective.
“I’m a real sicko when you get to know me. My mindset is different,” Miller said. “I’m 33 but I honestly don’t feel
33. … This is a six-year deal so I’m looking forward to playing the whole thing. Tom Brady’s done it; Bruce Smith has done it. All the guys that I look up to when it comes to longevity in careers.”
Miller said he’s seen veterans around the league start to lose their passion for the game.
He said once you start feeling old, you’re done.
“When I’m running out here with the guys I make it a point to show to my teammates and earn their trust
that, hey, I’m 33 years old but I can run with you,” he said. “I can run with anybody and I’m healthy and I take care of my body.”
Tua Time in Miami
The Dolphins gave Tua Tagovailoa a new cast of weapons, which includes wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson, running backs Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds, along with a new left tackle, Terron Armstead.
Asked last week if he felt any added pressure to produce and succeed, the Fins quarterback said there’s always pressure.
“I think pressure is going to be there every time,” he told reporters Wednesday via the Miami Herald. “I don’t feel more pressure that we’ve acquired all of these guys. It’s more of an opportunity that I get, that we all get as a team, to show what we can do this year.”
Tagovailoa, however, said there was a different feel in the building since arriving for the start of the Dolphins offseason workout program, which is optional for players
to attend.
“The locker room feels different. We’re all excited,” Tagovailoa said. “This is the first time I’ve seen a lot of guys show up to Phase I of OTAs and a lot of veterans are showing up to it. I think that speaks a lot to Mike (McDaniel) and the relationship he has with a lot of the guys on the team and the amount of respect that he has from the players in the locker room.”
Pats Hall call
Just a reminder, the list has been narrowed to three finalists for this year’s induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
The finalists are offensive lineman Logan Mankins, linebacker Mike Vrabel and defensive lineman Vince Wilfork.
Vrabel is a finalist for the sixth straight time, while Mankins and Wilfork are both first-time finalists.
Fans can vote on www.patriots.com/hof
through May 16. The team will announce the fans’ selection of the 2022 Patriots Hall of Famer on May 17.