With the NFL combine beginning tomorrow, there are a slew of prospects that the New England Patriots should pay extra attention to. Here are the five prospects they should monitor the most.
1. Christian Wilkins, DT (interior defender) | Clemson
The Framingham, Massachusetts, native was a unanimous All-American last season, in addition to being a leader (and team co-captain) on a Clemson team that stomped Alabama for the national championship.
With both Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton set to test free agency, the Patriots employ just Lawrence Guy and situational rusher Adam Butler in the interior. Wilkins may be off the board at No. 32, but there’s a better shot at him being around then over fellow Clemson Tiger Dexter Lawrence, who started opposite Wilkins.
At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Wilkins is a stout run defender, and can be an excellent addition as an interior defender in four-man fronts, as well as a defensive end in a 3-4 alignment. He also led the ACC with 47 interior pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Combining that versatility with his championship pedigree could make Wilkins a solid prospect for the Patriots, if he is indeed available at the end of the first round. Most likely, New England would need to move up a few spots to snag him.
2. T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, TEs | Iowa
Even if Rob Gronkowski decides to return for another season, the Patriots would be wise to consider drafting one of Iowa’s fantastic tight end prospects, to sit and learn from the greatest to ever play the position.
Prefaced by the fact that Dwayne Allen (and his $7.3 million salary cap hit for 2019) may be gone, the Patriots will need a tight end in general, never mind waiting in the winds to replace Gronk.
T.J. Hockenson (6-5, 230 pounds) is more of what the Patriots should be looking for. He’s a solid blocker with brute force, while also displaying athleticism in the passing game. Calling him a ‘mini-Gronk’ may be a bit of a stretch, seeing as he’s more than 30 pounds lighter, but Hockenson is the most well-rounded tight end prospect in this draft, and perhaps the last few drafts.
His teammate at Iowa, Noah Fant, technically plays the same position but is a much different type of player.
Fant needs improvement in his blocking to become a complete tight end at the next stage, but his receiving skills and athleticism alone make him a second-round pick at minimum, with a chance to move up into the first round. At 6-5, 240 pounds, Fant basically moves like a big receiver.
Another appealing aspect of both prospects is the fact that they’ve been under the tutilidge of long-time Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz, who is a good friend of Bill Belichick.
Among the Ferentz-coached players on the roster now are Adrian Clayborn, Riley McCarron and James Ferentz, Kirk’s son.
While Hockenson may be on the board with the No. 32 pick, many projections have him off the board by then. Predictions with Fant are more varied, meaning he could be available in the second round, or off the board by the Patriots’ first pick.
3. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB | Florida
Even after the Urban Meyer-era, Belichick has closely monitored former Gators. Even considering the second-round pick they spent on Duke Dawson last spring, the versatility of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson makes him a fit in the Patriots system.
Lining up as a slot cornerback, deep safety, or a box defender, Gardner-Johnson (6 feet, 205 pounds) has displayed explosiveness, range and playmaking ability in the defensive backfield.
Considering the team used reserve Jonathan Jones in myriad roles in the postseason, including playing 64 of 65 snaps at safety in Super Bowl LIII, Gardner-Johnson would be a prospect that may fill that utility role in the defensive backfield even better.
Gardner-Johnson’s ability as a Tyrann Mathieu type in the slot and in the box would give the Patriots a possible successor to Patrick Chung. Add in the age of Devin and Jason McCourty, and the defensive backfield may be a sneaky need by 2020.
Maybe New England is better off looking at best available prospects come Round 2, where this ballhawking defensive back may be available.
4. Mack Wilson, LB | Alabama
Looking past the obvious Belichick-Saban connection, Mack Wilson is a new-age, pass coverage inside linebacker that the Patriots have surely needed (at times) over the last few seasons.
Wilson was initially looked at as a higher prospect by many, but NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah dropped him 13 spots in his recent Top 50 prospects list. Not that Jeremiah’s list is the be-all, end-all situation of every prospect, but he’s usually fine-tuned in what’s going on in the world of the NFL draft. Could this mean the Alabama linebacker is available at pick No. 32?
As another late-first-round option in addition to Wilkins, Hockenson and Fant, Wilson could add an ingredient that’s been missing in New England. Jeremiah describes Wilson as having “outstanding lateral range and effort,” as well as being an “explosive blitzer,” which would bode well in defending the pass.
If Wilson does indeed slip into the second round, the Patriots could snag a steal at linebacker.
5. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR | Stanford
Unless they are employing Randy Moss, the outside “X” receiver position is normally not the focal point of a Tom Brady-led offense.
Yes, Josh Gordon does fit the prototype X role, and he may be back, but the Patriots also face looming decisions with Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson, as all are scheduled to be free agents next month.
Although it’s fun to imagine the Patriots dealing for Odell Beckham Jr., a draft prospect (or mid-level free agent) may be the more realistic option.
At 6-3 and 225 pounds, Arcega-Whiteside actually has the size of a usual first-round, No. 1 receiver-type prospect, but the Stanford junior lacks the speed those types of offensive weapons typically have.
Instead, he is a savage on closely contested catches. While lacking consistent separation, Arcega-Whiteside makes up for that with his body control.
That could make him an interesting fit on the outside as a third or fourth receiving option in the offense, falling in line with the highs of Brandon LaFell and Chris Hogan in their tenure with the Patriots.
Expect Arcega-Whiteside to be available in the latter half of the second round.
