Draft studs Patriots are likely eyeing
Don’t be surprised to hear these names called in April
Two and a half long months remain before the NFL Draft.
Until then, one question will shape the entire process for the Patriots.
Which prospects could be potential Pats?
To help answer that question from the outside, the Herald consulted NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah about the 2020 class.
Prior to joining the NFL Network, Jeremiah worked in league personnel departments for 10 years. He served as a scout for the Ravens, Eagles and Browns. Jeremiah currently leads the network’s draft coverage and scouts prospects yearround, collecting mounds of information about players to add to his countless hours of tape study.
Here are Jeremiah’s best Patriot fits among the offensive prospects in this year’s class:
QB James Morgan, Florida International
Ht/Wt: 6-4: 213
Round projection: 5th-7th Over two seasons at Florida International, Morgan completed 61% of his passes for 5,287 yards, 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He transferred to FIU in 2018, having graduated from Bowling Green in three years with a degree in prelaw. Last month, Morgan starred at the East-West
Shrine Game, an all-star showcase for college prospects where he reportedly met with the Patriots.
“He was at the East-West Game, and he was by far the best quarterback there,” Jeremiah said. “The completion percentage is not where you’d want it. But when you study him, he can make every throw. He’s a big, sturdy, strong guy, and everything I’ve heard about him from an intangibles standpoint is really good.
“I think he’ll probably be a fourth or fifth-round pick. He’s the one that’s intriguing in that range to me.”
WR Justin Jefferson, Louisiana State
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 192
Round projection: 1st Jefferson set several records over his junior season, an undefeated national championship campaign for the Tigers. He ranked second in the country with 111 receptions, which went for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. Jefferson is widely regarded as an excellent route runner with terrific hands and ball skills.
“He would be a perfect Patriot,” Jeremiah said. “He caught a gazillion balls at LSU. He’s really good in the slot. He’s somebody that’s really precise. He’s strong. He’s not a big frame guy in terms of being muscular, but real strong hands, dependable, really good down in the red zone. To me, he fits a lot of those things.
“I think he’s going to be outstanding.”
Jeremiah threw water on the idea the Patriots might trade up for a receiver in what’s viewed as one of the best wideout classes in years. Jefferson trails Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III on most experts’ draft boards. He should be available at 23rd overall, where the Pats are scheduled to make their first pick, but the team could also wait to pull the trigger on a receiver.
“It doesn’t really make sense from the Patriots’ standpoint to go up at all. They can sit where they are, and the more likely option is they’ll take one outside the first round, where there will still be a ton of options,” Jeremiah said.
TE Adam Trautman, Dayton
Ht/Wt: 6-6, 253
Round projection: 2nd-4th According to Jeremiah, Gronk’s successor could be waiting for the Pats in late April.
By dominating other top prospects during Senior Bowl practices, Trautman erased any doubts about his ability to perform against elite competition. Last season, he compiled 70 catches for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns at Dayton. Most importantly, Trautman’s proved he’s a true two-way tight end: a dynamic receiving threat who can also devastate defenders as an in-line blocker.
“Now, you’ve got two pieces of the puzzle left: go to the combine and show what we think you are athletically, and then the interview process too just come across as professional and mature and intelligent and all those things. That’s all the boxes you can check,” Jeremiah said. “I think he’s actually a pretty safe prospect despite the fact he played at Dayton.
“He’s got nuance to his game. He’s got a really good feel as a route runner and hasn’t played a ton of football. … He knows how to attack defenders, set them up and he’s real, real explosive getting out of his breaks.”
TE Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 240
Round projection: 3rd-5th
Like Trautman, Jeremiah believes Bryant has validated his status as a top tight end prospect with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Bryant entered the week with greater questions about his blocking than Trautman and left many satisfied.
“They both were more than adequate blockers. Thought he was solid in the run game,” Jeremiah said. “He makes a heck of a lot of sense for (the Patriots).”
In December, Bryant won the John Mackey Award, an annual honor bestowed upon the best tight end in college football. He turned 65 catches into 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Bryant spent significant time lined up out wide at FAU.
OL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 319
Round projection: 2nd-4th
With starting left guard Joe Thuney likely headed for a big, free-agent pay day, the Patriots could be targeting interior offensive linemen to pad their depth up front. Ruiz should be among those players, per Jeremiah.
“Firm, sturdy, strong interior player. He’s a center, who can also play guard,” Jeremiah said. “He’s somebody that I thought was just always aware; somebody that’s just a steady, reliable, dependable guy. Has a very high floor as a prospect.”
Ruiz declared for the draft after his junior season. Wolverine coaches have consistently touted the New Jersey native’s football IQ. He made five starts at guard during his freshman year of 2017, rated as one of the best pass-blocking centers in the country in 2018 and was named to the AllBig Ten second team last year.