Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Every day primary as a lot because the NFL Draft on April 27, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are seemingly specializing in place by place. The Pats have 11 picks this 12 months, starting at 14th normal, their highest selection in further than a decade. As for his or her completely different picks, the Patriots would possibly pad their depth at almost anyplace.
Beneath is a breakdown of the Patriots’ most interesting prospect matches at cornerback:
Day 1
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 192
Projected spherical: 1st
Scouting report: He’s no doubt one of many most interesting quarterbacks in a deep draft for the place. And with Jalen Mills making the transition once more to safety following Devin McCourty’s retirement, the Patriots desire a nook who can step in immediately and make an have an effect on.
Gonzalez, who fees as the best nook by many draft pundits, matches the bill. He’s an explosive athlete who has the devices to be a No. 1 nook and defend the bigger giant receivers. Man safety is his forte, nonetheless he must play correctly in any scheme.
Most mocks have him going early, nonetheless with 4 quarterbacks anticipated to go throughout the excessive 10, there’s a possibility he would possibly slip to No. 14, the place the Patriots have their first determine. Or, they are going to switch as a lot as seize him.
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Ht/Wt: 5-11 ½, 181
Projected spherical: 1st
Scouting report: Assured. Tenacious. Aggressive. Having these three traits would correctly bode for any cornerback. Witherspoon happens to exude all of three qualities.
Add in good ball experience, instincts and consciousness, and he’s undoubtedly a match for the Patriots.
He consistently shut down opponents throughout the Massive Ten last season. Opposing quarterbacks completed merely 34.9 p.c of the passes his means, and he recorded 14 go breakups and three interceptions in 12 video video games.
If the Pats are seeking a nook with measurement, he received’t be their man, nonetheless he’s scheme versatile and by most accounts, NFL ready.
One other subject weighing in his favor for the Patriots? He’s a selected teams ace. And he was coached by Bret Bielema, a former Patriots assistant.
Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6-2 1/2, 193
Projected spherical: 1
Scouting report: He’s the son of former All-Professional linebacker Joey Porter, who was a longtime Steeler.
The youthful Porter is a freakish athlete who boasts spectacular measurement and athleticism. On the Mix, he ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. His prolonged arms (35-inch arms) had been a nightmare for receivers on the college diploma.
He’s primarily been a boundary nook and doesn’t have the scheme versatility of others, principally because of he wasn’t requested to play zone all that so much.
His unimaginable attain and tempo allow him to cowl loads of flooring. He’s moreover in all probability the best corners defending the run.
One other plus? Porter, who had an official go to in Foxboro, moreover has a great deal of specific teams experience.
Day 2
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Ht/Wt : 6-1, 170
Projected spherical: 2
Scouting report: If the Patriots don’t take a nook throughout the first spherical, Forbes is an efficient wager for Invoice Belichick throughout the second spherical if he isn’t scooped up earlier.
He’s a ball hawk extraordinaire throughout the mildew of an Asante Samuel. He accomplished as a result of the file holder for a lot of pick-6s in FBS historic previous with six. General, he had 14 interceptions in his college occupation.
Principally, he has the ball experience of a big receiver. Given his tempo and normal skill set, he does correctly in press safety.
He’s a doable starter, or insurance coverage protection throughout the event Jack Jones doesn’t improve in Yr 2 to earn additional participating in time.
Deonte Banks, Maryland
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 197
Projected spherical: 2nd
Scouting report: He’s a fringe nook whose combination of measurement, energy and athleticism are what teams are more likely to crave on the place.
He’s notably environment friendly in press-man safety. Even Ohio State’s assortment of receiving studs had subject when going up in the direction of Banks. See Buckeyes star Marvin Harrison Jr. for particulars.
Banks and Jakorian Bennett formed in all probability the best cornerback duos in class soccer this earlier season. He nonetheless needs some work on guaranteeing he’s not too grabby alongside along with his fingers, nonetheless has the skillset to be a excessive nook throughout the league.
Julius Brents, Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 198
Projected spherical: 2nd-Third
Scouting report: He was certainly one of many standouts on the Senior Bowl.
Given his unusual measurement, to not level out 34-inch arms, possibly it shouldn’t come as a shock that he excels participating in out on the boundary. The supersized nook moreover has surprisingly good movement experience.
His lightning-quick three-cone drill (6.63 seconds), and eye-popping shuttle time (4.05 seconds) are spectacular for an individual his measurement.
The Patriots need an outside nook alongside along with his kind of dimension and quickness.
Day 3
Riley Moss, Iowa
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 193
Projected spherical: 4th
Scouting report: Between his top-level quickness (6.60 second three-cone drill), stellar instincts, and expertise to play specific teams, the Iowa nook boasts various traits the Patriots gravitate in the direction of.
He performs bodily as a tackler, along with on the catch stage. The three-year starter is a playmaker who takes full advantage of his instincts and delicate fingers.
He’s maybe best-suited in a zone-based safety. Evaluators moreover see him in all probability shifting to safety. He would seemingly be a third or fourth nook for a crew on the outset.
Nic Jones, Ball State
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 189
Projected spherical: seventh
Scouting report: He was the best nook on the Patriots-coached West Shrine Bowl crew.
Cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino must have a superb study on his make-up and expertise. Watching his tape, Jones has a pleasing actually really feel for the game and making performs.
Add in his specific teams experience – he blocked every a kick and punt all through his time in class – and Jones would possibly present to be a later-round determine.
