The 76th annual Senior Bowl is on Saturday. Some of the best talent in college football is once again in Mobile. Several players in this game will make an impact as rookies. Here are 15 players to keep an eye on for the Patriots.
Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College: Trapilo had a good week and impressed scouts in individual and team periods. He profiles more as a right tackle in the NFL. Schematically, he would be a great fit for the Patriots because of his versatility to play either left or right tackle.
Anthony Belton, OT, N.C State: Belton had a good week and looks like he could be a good value late in the first round or early second round. He has good feet, does a good job of redirecting pass rushers and he has second level athleticism. At 6’6 336, Belton is another tackle who could play inside at guard as well.
Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon: Conerly had an up and down week but he profiles as a left tackle or left guard. The lack of length leads me to believe that he will eventually kick inside. Conerly is a good athlete who moves well laterally and can play in space but struggles with speed rushers.
Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota: A right tackle from a profile standpoint. Ersery is physical at the point of attack and gets movement. He needs to bend better and sustain blocks but he has upside as a short area pass blocker and a physical run blocker.
Grey Zabel, North Dakota State: Zabel had the best week of any prospect up front. He played tackle at NDSU but scouts have told me they see him more as a guard or even center. He will start at guard in the game. He repped at both this week. Zabel is the swing type player the Patriots could use along the offensive line.
Mike Green, Marshall: Green was impressive all week. He displayed good get off, hand placement and showed the speed to power traits that NFL teams look for from edge players who are can play all three downs.
Jayden Higgins, Iowa State: Higgins had a really good week. Runs cleans routes, wins consistently in contested catch situations and he does a good job bodying up receivers on three step and intermediate routes. This draft is chock full of X receivers. Higgins is one of the top outside receivers.
Tez Johnson, Oregon: The Patriots spent time with Johnson this week. He is your quintessential slot receiver who can stretch the field vertically on seam, post and slot fade routes. He can also potentially return kicks With more of an emphasis on the slot receiver in the Patriots offense, Johnson is the type receiver New England will target.
Xavier Restrepo, Miami: Restrepo is not going to wow you with his athleticism. He is just a good football player. He runs good, clean routes and he gets in and out of cuts with ease. He won’t separate in the open field but he is a chain mover. Returns kicks as well. Another potential target of the Patriots. I see a lot of Wes Welker in his game.
Jalen Royals, Utah State: Another X receiver who had a good week and made an impression. Big bodied target who gets position on defenders and boxes out on underneath routes. Has consistent hands and shows good body control in high point situations. Needs to run sharper routes but his size will be a problem for corners in man.
Josaiah Stewart, Michigan: The Everett High School alum is aggressive, plays with good get off and can sink and anchor against the run. A natural bender. Stewart can make plays from the back side. A high motor player who profiles more as a situational pass rusher.
Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas: Jackson is 6’7 280 and has the type of frame that allows him to play the nine technique defensive end or kick inside snd play defensive tackle in sub packages. He has a good first step for his size and he uses his length to his advantage against the run and as a pass rusher. A versatile piece that would be a good fit in Terrell Williams defense.
Jah Joyner, EDGE, Minnesota: Joyner had a good week. The Connecticut native got on the radar and made an impression. He showed good get off, bend and athleticism. Joyner can play on and off the ball and can drop in coverage as well. His versatility is something that will appeal to the Patriots.
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville: The Patriots are a corner short. Riley fits their profile. He has the size (6’0 185) to play on the outside or in the slot. He had a good week showing he can stick in hip position vertically and he has the ball skills to break up passes in contested catch situations.