Behold, the Underwear Olympics.
The NFL Combine kicks off Monday in Indianapolis, the place draft prospects will take a look at, run, leap and interview with potential groups over the following week. The NFL Network will carry greater than 50 hours of stay, televised protection operating Thursday via Sunday. Several future Patriots will probably be in attendance, showcasing their abilities in a vital time throughout the draft course of.
Bill Belichick and high Patriots personnel govt Matt Groh usually are not scheduled to talk with reporters, however there will probably be lots for followers to observe from residence. Here is the Patriots fan’s information to the 2023 NFL Combine:
Tuesday-Wednesday
Most head coaches and normal managers will sit for 15-minute press conferences Tuesday and Wednesday. Every NFL crew will probably be represented on the podium besides three: the Patriots, Chargers and Rams. Belichick has not spoken on the mix since 2014.
Head coaches and GMs who’ve Patriots ties and are scheduled to talk Tuesday embrace 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 even meet the media.
After line of defense and linebackers prospects meet with reporters Wednesday morning, extra coaches and GMs will maintain press conferences. The solely head coach or GM with New England expertise is Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who not too long ago employed former Patriots defensive play-caller Brian Flores as his new defensive coordinator.
Thursday
Positions: DE, DT, LB
Day 1-2 targets to look at: 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 of their defensive entrance seven, it appears unlikely the Patriots would make investments a excessive draft choose in any of the gamers talking Wednesday. Furthermore, in line with NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks, the teaching workers loves Utah linebacker Mo Diabate and N.C. State’s Isaiah Moore, projected Day 3 picks who labored with Patriots assistants on the Shrine Bowl. However, in the event that they make a shock choose, Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness and Clemson product Bryan Bresee determine to be accessible at 14th general.
Friday
Positions: CB, SAF, Okay
Day 1-2 targets to look at: 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 an awesome yr to want a starting-caliber cornerback, with Witherspoon, Porter Jr. and Gonzalez all protected to go inside or across the high 15. The Pats might wait to deal with their best defensive want later within the draft, when any of Smith, Forbes or Banks might make for a wonderful late first-round choose or early second-round choice. Georgia’s Kelee Ringo is one other title to know in that vary.
If the Patriots flip to security, on the lookout for Devin McCourty’s alternative because the single-high commander, Brown could be a pure match. Alabama’s Brian Branch, a do-it-all defensive again, is one other prospect who profiles as a possible Patriot.
Saturday
Positions: QB, WR, TE
Day 1-2 targets to look at: 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
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One of the weaker vast receiver courses in current reminiscence might nudge the Patriots towards discovering a solution in free company. But in the event that they fall in love with any of the highest prospects, Addison and Smith-Njigba are the cleanest matches in Round 1. A little bit later, native product Zay Flowers, who wowed on the Shrine Bowl, presents an alternative choice.
Options abound at tight finish, the place Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is a prototypical “Y” tight finish equally succesful as a receiver and blocker. Kincaid presents a greater pass-catching menace, whereas the 6-foot-7, 270-pound Washington cannot be discounted on sheer measurement alone. Musgrave, who has restricted tape after taking part in via the pandemic and struggling an harm final yr, impressed on the Senior Bowl and could possibly be a Day 2 choose.
Sunday
Positions: OL, RB
Day 1-2 targets to look at: 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 place on the Patriots’ roster has a bleaker outlook within the quick and long-term than offensive sort out, which must be addressed in free company and the draft. Come April, it will be a shock to see the Pats let three rounds go by with out including to the place. Wright and Jones are each maulers at proper sort out, whereas Mauch would convey athleticism and flexibility as a former tight finish who performed sort out and guard on the Senior Bowl.
The Patriots are reportedly on the hunt for pass-catching backs. Charbonnet is an even bigger third-down again who performed for them on the Shrine Bowl.
Source: www.bostonherald.com