The NFL Combine is back and it will once again be held in Indianapolis this upcoming weekend.
Teams will gather to interview prospects, get medical information on them and work them out as they continue the evaluation process.
Expect Bill Belichick and the Patriots brass to be there evaluating all of the positions but especially the areas the Patriots have the most needs in.
Cornerback, linebacker, wide receiver, defensive tackle and offensive tackle are the positions the Patriots will primarily focus on this upcoming weekend.
Here are several players at each of those positions you might want to keep an eye if you’re watching the combine this weekend .
Slade Bolden (Alabama Athletics)
Wide Receivers
Ty Fryfogle, Indiana: Fryfogle is a terrific route runner who can play in the slot and outside. He would be a good fit in the Patriots system.
Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky: Robinson is going to be the Deebo Samuel of this draft. I expect him to impress this week and elevate his stock. Teams will love his versatility.
Christian Watson, North Dakota State: Watson impressed at the Senior Bowl and expect more of the same this week. Profiles as an X receiver in the Patriots offense.
George Pickens, Georgia: A long strider who is explosive and can separate after the catch. Pickens has strong hands in contested catch situations. He could develop into a starter eventually.
Slade Bolden, Alabama: Bolden really came on for the Crimson Tide down the stretch last season. He is a smooth route runner who can separate on breaks and pick up additional yards. I expect Bolden to test well. There’s a little Hunter Renfrow to Bolden’s game.
Velus Jones, Tennessee: Jones should test well this weekend. He has big time speed and explosiveness. Jones is an intriguing prospect because he can impact a game both as a receiver or as a returner.
Skyy Moore, Western Michigan: A terrific route runner who can stack and separate and make plays in space. If he tests as expected, he will be off the board on day two. Moore is a three level receiver who profiles as a starting Z receiver in the NFL.
Jamison Williams, John Metchie, Alabama: Both are coming off of ACL injuries but the Patriots will do their due diligence and meet with both. They’ll also take a look at the medicals.
Cam Taylor-Britt (Eric Francis)
Cornerbacks
Trent McDuffie, Washington: McDuffie is a first round talent and could be a possibility for the Patriots at 21 if they stand pat. McDuffie doesn’t have the length teams look for but he is physical and smooth. He can play in the slot or outside.
Kaiir Elam, Florida: Elam has terrific length and plays with good bend and leverage. He profiles as a first round talent and if he tests well, he could be another option for the Patriots at 21. Elam could also play safety which enhances his value.
Smoke Monday, Auburn: Monday has played a lot of football at Auburn. He can play inside and outside. If he tests well and has a great workout, he could be a possibility for the Patriots on day two.
Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska: Taylor-Britt has a ton of upside. He played well at the Senior Bowl and is a player the Patriots have expressed interest in. If he tests as expected, Taylor-Britt could find himself a late day two pick.
Joshua Jobe, Alabama: The Saban connection obviously matters to Bill Belichick. Jobe played a lot of football for the Tide but he is coming off of a season ending injury and needs to prove he’s healthy this week.
Roger McCreary, Auburn: McCreary had a good week in Mobile and could really elevate his stock with a good weekend in Indianapolis. From a skill set standpoint, McCreary fits the Patriots defense well. He can play in the slot or outside.
Darrian Beavers
Linebacker
Devin Lloyd, Utah: Lloyd is one of the most impactful defensive players in this draft. He can play all three downs and he can do a lot of different things within a scheme. I think Lloyd is a top 15 talent and if he tests well, he could solidify a spot in the top half of the draft. The Patriots have been linked to him but he may not fall to them.
Chad Muma, Wyoming: Muma is your classic MIKE linebacker. He was highly productive at Wyoming. If he tests well and proves that his production was a byproduct of his athleticism, he is an early day two talent. Muma is a player who is certainly on the Patriots radar.
Leo Chenal, Wisconsin: Chenal played all over the place in Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard defense. He can play all three linebacker spots and is effective in coverage and pressing the quarterback. Chenal should test well and if he does, he sneak into the first round. Scheme wise, he’s a great fit in Belichick’s defense.
Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati: Beavers is very similar to Dont’a Hightower in that he is a big, rangy linebacker who can play all three downs and come off the edge on passing downs. Beavers needs to test well. If he does, he should be off the board no later than the third round.
Channing Tindall, Georgia: Tindall is ideally suited to play on the outside as a WILL linebacker. He played all three downs at Georgia and proved he can play in space and cover tight ends and backs vertically and in the flat. Another versatile defender whose stock could really rise if he has a good combine.
Christian Harris, Alabama: Harris is versatile. He can play all three linebacker spots and can play all three downs. He is a bit undersized for the Patriots scheme but with the need for more speed on defense, Harris is a player Belichick and the defensive coaches will be watching closely this week.
Travis Jones (UConn Athletics)
Defensive Tackle
Travis Jones, Connecticut: Jones dominated at the Senior Bowl. He already projects as a second round pick. If he has a good week in Indy, he could move into the first round on some teams boards. The word is, the Patriots like him.
Phidarian Mathis, Alabama: Mathis offers scheme versatility. He can play the three technique in a 40 front and kick outside to the five technique in a 30 front. Not as athletic or explosive as former teammate Christian Barmore but Mathis is strong at the point and can absorb blocks. A good combine will keep him on the Patriots radar.
Jordan Davis, Georgia: The number defensive tackle in the class maybe gone by the time the Patriots pick at 21. I expect Davis to test well and surprise people in the process.
Noah Elliss, Idaho: A classic 3-4 nose tackle who is a space eater. Moves well on film but he will need to prove that he can test well. Controlling his weight has been an issue for Elliss. How he tests this week could determine whether he gets drafted.
Marquan McCall, Kentucky: McCall is shade type defensive tackle who gets a good jump on the snap. McCall moves well in all four directions and plays can make plays from the backside. He will need to test as fast as he plays on film. Profiles as a rotational, back up to start.
Neil Farrell, LSU: Farrell is quick off the ball and plays with good strength and leverage at the point of attack. He should post strong testing numbers. Based on his physical traits and scheme flexibility, Farrell is a player the Patriots will target.
Sean Rhyan (Getty Images)
Offensive Tackle
Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: The Patriots would need to target the former tight end in the first round if they wanted to draft him. Raimann will test well so I would suspect he goes before Pick 21.
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M: Swing guard, tackle type player who offers the versatility the Patriots like out of their offensive lineman. A good weekend in Indianapolis will elevate Green’s stock and propel him into the second round possibly.
Sean Rhyan, UCLA: Rhyan is rising on teams draft boards. Teams like his length and versatility. I expect Rhyan to test well. If he does, he could go in the second round. The Patriots could be a possible landing spot at Pick 54.
Max Mitchell, Louisiana: Mitchell is another long, athletic tackle who displays above average athleticism and is a good pass blocker. Mitchell should test well which will raise his stock and put him in the 3rd to 5th round range.
Vederian Lowe, Illinois: Lowe can play both tackle spots but profiles more as a right tackle. Needs to test well to prove he is truly versatile enough to play for the Patriots.
Andrew Rupcich, Culver-Stockton: Rupcich is long, athletic and dominant at the point of attack. Didn’t play against elite competition so he pops even more on film. He’s an under the radar prospect for now but if Rupcich has a good weekend in Indianapolis, his stock will improve. Could be a good late round value for the Patriots.