How Patriots fans can follow from home
Crucial evaluations begin in Indianapolis
Behold, the Underwear Olympics.
The NFL Combine kicks off Monday in Indianapolis, where draft prospects will test, run, jump and interview with prospective teams over the next week. The NFL Network will carry more than 50 hours of live, televised coverage running Thursday through Sunday. Several future Patriots will be in attendance, showcasing their skills in a critical time during the draft process.
Bill Belichick and top Patriots personnel executive Matt Groh are not scheduled to speak with reporters, but there will be plenty for fans to follow from home. Here is the Patriots fan’s guide to the 2023 NFL Combine:
Tuesday-Wednesday
Most head coaches and general managers will sit for 15-minute press conferences Tuesday and Wednesday. Every NFL team will be represented at the podium except three: the Patriots, Chargers and Rams. Belichick has not spoken at the combine since 2014.
Head coaches and GMs who have Patriots ties and are scheduled to speak Tuesday include Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (10 a.m.), Texans GM Nick Caserio (11:45 a.m.), Buccaneers GM Jason Licht (12:15 p.m.) and Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort (12:30 p.m.). Within the division, Bills GM Brandon Beane (10:15 a.m.) and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel (3 p.m.) will also meet the media.
After defensive line and linebackers prospects meet with reporters Wednesday morning, more coaches and GMs will hold press conferences. The only head coach or GM with New England experience is Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who recently hired former Patriots defensive play-caller Brian Flores as his new defensive coordinator.
Thursday
Positions: DE, DT, LB Day 1-2 targets to watch: Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Clemson DL Bryan Bresee, USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu, Alabama LB Henry To’oTo’o, Iowa LB Jack Campbell
Considering the depth in their defensive front seven, it seems unlikely the Patriots would invest a high draft pick in any of the players speaking Wednesday. Furthermore, according to NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks, the coaching staff loves Utah linebacker Mo Diabate and N.C. State’s Isaiah Moore, projected Day 3 picks who worked with Patriots assistants at the Shrine Bowl. However, if they make a surprise pick, Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness and Clemson product Bryan Bresee figure to be available at 14th overall.
Friday
Positions: CB, SAF, K Day 1-2 targets to watch: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon, Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr., Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez, South Carolina CB Cam Smith, Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes, Maryland CB Deonte Banks, Alabama S Brian Branch, Penn State S Ji’Ayir Brown, Georgia S Christopher Smith II.
It’s a great year to need a starting-caliber cornerback, with Witherspoon, Porter Jr. and Gonzalez all protected to go inside or around the top 15. The Pats may wait to address their greatest defensive need later in the draft, when any of Smith, Forbes or Banks could make for an excellent late first-round pick or early second-round selection. Georgia’s Kelee Ringo is another name to know in that range.
If the Patriots turn to safety, looking for Devin McCourty’s replacement as the single-high commander, Brown would be a natural fit. Alabama’s Brian Branch, a do-it-all defensive back, is another prospect who profiles as a potential Patriot.
Saturday
Positions: QB, WR, TE Day 1-2 targets to watch: USC WR Jordan Addison, Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Boston College WR Zay Flowers, North Carolina WR Josh Downs, Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer, Utah TE Dalton Kincaid, Georgia TE Darnell Washington, Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
One of the weaker wide receiver classes in recent memory could nudge the
Patriots toward finding an answer in free agency. But if they fall in love with any of the top prospects, Addison and Smith-Njigba are the cleanest fits in Round 1. A little later, local product Zay Flowers, who wowed at the Shrine Bowl, offers another option.
Options abound at tight end, where Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is a prototypical “Y” tight end equally capable as a receiver and blocker. Kincaid offers a better pass-catching threat, while the 6-foot7, 270-pound Washington can’t be discounted on sheer size alone. Musgrave, who has limited tape after playing through the pandemic and suffering an injury last year, impressed at the Senior Bowl and could be a Day 2 pick.
Sunday
Positions: OL, RB Day 1-2 targets to watch: Northwestern OT Peter
Skoronski, Georgia OT Broderick Jones, Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr., Tennessee OT Darnell Wright, Ohio State OT Dawand Jones, North Dakota State OT Cody Mauch, UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet
No position on the Patriots’ roster has a bleaker outlook in the short and long-term than offensive tackle, which should be addressed in free agency and the draft. Come April, it would be a surprise to see the Pats let three rounds go by without adding to the position. Wright and Jones are both maulers at right tackle, while Mauch would bring athleticism and versatility as a former tight end who played tackle and guard at the Senior Bowl.
The Patriots are reportedly on the hunt for passcatching backs. Charbonnet is a bigger third-down back who played for them at the Shrine Bowl.