Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Each day main as much as the NFL Draft on April 27, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are seemingly focusing on place by place. The Pats have 11 picks this 12 months, beginning at 14th general, their highest choice in additional than a decade. As for his or her different picks, the Patriots might pad their depth at nearly any place.
Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ finest prospect matches at cornerback:
Day 1
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 192
Projected spherical: 1st
Scouting report: He is without doubt one of the finest quarterbacks in a deep draft for the place. And with Jalen Mills making the transition again to security following Devin McCourty’s retirement, the Patriots want a nook who can step in instantly and make an affect.
Gonzalez, who charges as the highest nook by many draft pundits, matches the invoice. He’s an explosive athlete who has the instruments to be a No. 1 nook and defend the larger large receivers. Man protection is his forte, however he ought to play properly in any scheme.
Most mocks have him going early, however with 4 quarterbacks anticipated to go within the high 10, there’s an opportunity he might slip to No. 14, the place the Patriots have their first decide. Or, they will transfer as much as seize him.
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Ht/Wt: 5-11 ½, 181
Projected spherical: 1st
Scouting report: Confident. Tenacious. Aggressive. Having these three traits would properly bode for any cornerback. Witherspoon occurs to exude all of three qualities.
Add in nice ball expertise, instincts and consciousness, and he’s undoubtedly a match for the Patriots.
He constantly shut down opponents within the Big Ten final season. Opposing quarterbacks accomplished simply 34.9 p.c of the passes his means, and he recorded 14 go breakups and three interceptions in 12 video games.
If the Pats are in search of a nook with measurement, he won’t be their man, however he’s scheme versatile and by most accounts, NFL prepared.
Another issue weighing in his favor for the Patriots? He’s a particular groups 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-Pro linebacker Joey Porter, who was a longtime Steeler.
The youthful Porter is a freakish athlete who boasts spectacular measurement and athleticism. At the Combine, he ran a 4.46 40-yard sprint. His lengthy arms (35-inch arms) had been a nightmare for receivers on the school degree.
He’s primarily been a boundary nook and doesn’t have the scheme versatility of others, principally as a result of he wasn’t requested to play zone all that a lot.
His unimaginable attain and pace permit him to cowl plenty of floor. He’s additionally probably the greatest corners defending the run.
Another plus? Porter, who had an official go to in Foxboro, additionally has loads of particular groups expertise.
Day 2
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Ht/Wt : 6-1, 170
Projected spherical: 2
Scouting report: If the Patriots don’t take a nook within the first spherical, Forbes is an effective wager for Bill Belichick within the second spherical if he isn’t scooped up earlier.
He’s a ball hawk extraordinaire within the mildew of an Asante Samuel. He completed because the file holder for many pick-6s in FBS historical past with six. Overall, he had 14 interceptions in his school profession.
Basically, he has the ball expertise of a large receiver. Given his pace and general ability set, he does properly in press protection.
He’s a doable starter, or insurance coverage within the occasion Jack Jones doesn’t enhance in Year 2 to earn extra taking part in time.
Deonte Banks, Maryland
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 197
Projected spherical: 2nd
Scouting report: He’s a fringe nook whose mixture of measurement, power and athleticism are what groups are likely to crave on the place.
He’s particularly efficient in press-man protection. Even Ohio State’s assortment of receiving studs had issue when going up towards Banks. See Buckeyes star Marvin Harrison Jr. for particulars.
Banks and Jakorian Bennett shaped probably the greatest cornerback duos in school soccer this previous season. He nonetheless wants some work on ensuring he’s not too grabby along with his fingers, however has the skillset to be a high nook within the league.
Julius Brents, Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 198
Projected spherical: 2nd-Third
Scouting report: He was one of many standouts on the Senior Bowl.
Given his uncommon measurement, to not point out 34-inch arms, maybe it shouldn’t come as a shock that he excels taking part in out on the boundary. The supersized nook additionally has surprisingly good motion expertise.
His lightning-quick three-cone drill (6.63 seconds), and eye-popping shuttle time (4.05 seconds) are spectacular for a person his measurement.
The Patriots want an outdoor nook along with his type of size 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 talent to play particular groups, the Iowa nook boasts a number of traits the Patriots gravitate towards.
He performs bodily as a tackler, in addition to on the catch level. The three-year starter is a playmaker who takes full benefit of his instincts and delicate fingers.
He is perhaps best-suited in a zone-based protection. Evaluators additionally see him probably shifting to security. He would seemingly be a 3rd 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 most effective nook on the Patriots-coached West Shrine Bowl crew.
Cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino ought to have an excellent learn on his make-up and talent. Watching his tape, Jones has a pleasant really feel for the sport and making performs.
Add in his particular groups expertise – he blocked each a kick and punt throughout his time in school – and Jones might show to be a later-round decide.
Source: www.bostonherald.com