The NFL Combine is right around the corner, which means that it’s time to start tracking the college players that have met with the New England Patriots. These meetings don’t mean much in the sense that they don’t imply any extra interest on the part of New England. It could be a simple background interview if a player was injured or suspended.
But it’s good information to add into your scouting profile. We’ll try to keep track of all the contact reports, but feel free to post tips in the comments section.
East-West Shrine Game
USC S Leon McQuay III (source): 6’1, 200 pound strong safety with three years in-and-out of the starting line-up. Grandfather played running back for the Patriots in 1975.
Colorado DT Josh Tupou (source): 6’3, 325 pound, 4-year starter, suspended for a full season (received red shirt) for violating team rules.
Colorado EDGE Jimmie Gilbert (source): 6’5, 230 pound, 3-year starter, named Third Team All America.
Senior Bowl
Michigan DT Chris Wormley (source): 6’6, 300 pound, 3-year starter, including time as a defensive end, was named co-captain as a senior.
Illinois EDGE Carroll Phillips (source): 6’3, 240 pound, 1-year starter, racked up a ridiculous 20.0 tackles for loss and 9 sacks as a senior, with big plays almost every week.
Tulane DT Tanzel Smart (source): 6’1, 305 pound, 3-year starter, including two years as First Team All Conference, picked up 19.0 tackles for loss.
Arkansas WR Drew Morgan (source): 6’0, 190 pound receiver that collected 1,610 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Youngstown State EDGE Derek Rivers (source): 6’4, 248 pound pass rusher out of a small school, possesses the athleticism to drop into coverage.
Kansas State EDGE Jordan Willis (source): 6’4, 255 pound do-it-all edge player that finished the season as Pro Football Focus’ top rated edge defender.
Connecticut DB Obi Melifonwu (source): 6’4, 224 pound strong safety that could also play cornerback and linebacker.
Nebraska SS Nate Gerry: 6’2, 218 pound strong safety that runs a 4.58s 40 yard dash and has explosive 10’2 broad jump. Gerry is best in the box and has experience as linebacker. His 13 interceptions rank second in school history.
NFL Combine
Toledo RB Kareem Hunt (source): 5’10, 216 pound do-it-all running back that hasn’t fumbled in three years as a starter. 3rd most yards from scrimmage in MAC history.
Ashland TE Adam Shaheen (source): 6’7, 277 pound athletic freak that looks like a wide receiver in the open field, but needs some work as a blocker.
Clemson TE Jordan Leggett (source): 6’5, 258 pound tight end that is more of a receiver than an in line tight end, but possesses the willingness to develop.
Virginia Tech TE Bucky Hodges (source): 6’6, 257 pound tight end that is also more of a wide receiver than a tight end. Not very experienced as a blocker.
Clemson WR Artavis Scott (source): 5’10, 193 pound slot receiver that has collected 245 receptions, 2,529 yards, and 20 touchdowns in three seasons. He also spoke with the Patriots during the Senior Bowl.
Connecticut WR Noel Thomas (source): 6’0, 205 pound receiver coming off a 100 reception, 1,239 yard, 3 touchdown season.
Miami TE David Njoku (source): 6’4, 245 pound tight end and considered the tight end with the best upside in the draft.
Texas RB D’Onta Foreman (source): 6’1, 249 pound running back that gets the short yardage and is a good blocker, but doesn’t catch and struggles at protecting the football.
Florida State OT Roderick Johnson (source): 6’6, 309 pound offensive tackle that comes from the Florida State pipeline. Experienced, but raw tackle prospect.
Temple RB Jahad Thomas (source): 5’10, 190 pound projected-gadget player that was incredibly productive as a runner, receiver, and returner while at college. Former DB.
Virginia Tech QB Jerod Evans (source): 6’3, 232 pound one-year starter out of JuCo that can run and pass; one of the most productive QBs in the country. When asked if Cowboys QB Dak Prescott showed that draft position doesn’t matter, Evans replied, “No, I think Tom Brady did.”
Alabama WR ArDarius Stewart (source): 5’11, 205 pound receiver recorded 1,646 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Florida State EDGE DeMarcus Walker (source): 6’4, 280 pound pass rusher with incredible production, but might not have quickness to translate to same role in NFL.
Washington DT Elijah Qualls (source): 6’1, 311 pound defensive lineman who played everything from nose tackle to edge defender. Potential disruptor on the interior.
Missouri EDGE Charles Harris (source): 6’3, 253 pound edge defender that thrives when asked to attack the backfield. One of the best pass rushers, but developing as run defender.
Auburn EDGE Carl Lawson (source): 6’2, 261 pound pass rusher that suffered injuries in 2014 and 2015 before stepping up as one of the best edge defenders in the SEC.
Florida CB Teez Tabor (source): 6’0, 199 pound cornerback was two-time First Team All SEC with great coverage ability, but some off-the-field questions.
Connecticut DB Obi Melifonwu (source): 6’4, 224 pound strong safety that could also play cornerback and linebacker.
Utah FS Marcus Williams (source): 6’1, 202 pound free safety with incredible ball skills and speed. Not the strongest tackler.
Tennessee DB Cam Sutton (source): 5’11, 188 pound 4-year starter who broke his ankle early in the 2016 season before returning. Sutton can play both cornerback and safety. All-time school leader in passes defended.
Nebraska SS Nate Gerry: 6’2, 218 pound strong safety that runs a 4.58s 40 yard dash and has explosive 10’2 broad jump. Gerry is best in the box and has experience as linebacker. His 13 interceptions rank second in school history.
Virginia Tech WR Isaiah Ford (source): 6’1, 194 pound receiver is only 21 years old but he starred as a true freshman and has 3,051 yards and 24 touchdowns over the past three seasons, including 2,342 yards and 18 touchdowns over the past two years.
Florida FS Marcus Maye (source): 6’0, 210 pound safety that can also cover in the slot. Maye was regarded as a possible first round pick before he suffered a season-ending shoulder surgery late in 2016.
Pro Days
Wyoming WR Tanner Gentry (source): 6’1, 208 pounds and recorded 72 receptions for 1326 yards and 14 TDs in 2016. Has solid athleticism.
Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham (source): 6’3, 235 pound two-time First Team All SEC, All American linebacker can make every single play, but can miss tackles with poor technique.
N.C. State SS Josh Jones (source): 6’1, 220 pound safety played both strong and free, along with linebacker and cornerback, and led team with 109 tackles in 2016. Blazing 4.41s 40 yard dash and explosive 11’0 broad jump.
Cincinnati LB Eric Wilson (source): 6’1, 220 pound linebacker 2-year starter with 235 tackles, 3 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 6 fumble plays, and 4 passes defended over the past two years.
Ohio State LB Raekwon McMillan (source): 6’2, 240 pound linebacker has NFL size and athleticism and was effectively a three-year starter, playing more snaps than the actual starter while he was a true freshman.
Michigan S Delano Hill (source): 6’1, 223 pound free safety runs a 4.47s 40 yard dash and 6.96s three cone. Strong run defender that takes good angles, but plays slower than timed speed.
Michigan WR Amara Darboh (source): 6’2, 214 pound receiver with a 4.45s 40 yard dash and an explosive 10’3 broad jump. He has improved each season and caught 115 receptions for 1,589 yards and 12 touchdowns over his past two All Conference years. Strong blocker out of the slot.
Connecticut DT Mikal Myers (source): 6’0, 327 pound defensive tackle that supposedly lost 20 pounds heading into his Pro Day. Myers was a team captain and led defensive linemen with 51 tackles.
Connecticut K Bobby Puyol (source): Puyol spent three seasons as UConn’s kicker and hit 76.5% over the course of his college career, and 91.0% of his extra point attempts.
Penn State WR Chris Godwin (source): While it’s unconfirmed if the Patriots met with Godwin individually, Patriots scout Frank Ross- a former college QB coach and wide receiver- served as quarterback during the 6’1, 209 pound receiver’s drills. Godwin has a 4.42s 40 yard dash, a 7.01s three cone, and an explosive 10’5 broad jump, and 2,096 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Mississippi State WR Fred Ross (source): 6’1, 213 pound receiver with a 4.51s 40 yard dash and a 6.99s three cone. Ross collected 2,005 yards and 18 touchdowns over the past two seasons as primarily a slot receiver.
South Florida WR Rodney Adams (source): 6’1, 189 pound slot receiver with 4.44s 40 yard dash speed and a 6.98s three cone. Adams has 1,961 yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Utah OT Sam Tevi (source): 6’5, 311 pound offensive tackle that started at both left and right tackle and started his career as a defensive tackle. Needs coaching at the position.
Bucknell OT Julie’n Davenport (source): 6’7, 318 pound offensive tackle that started 44 games at left tackle. Small school player needs to gain NFL experience and coaching.
Houston CB Brandon Wilson (source): 5’10, 201 pound cornerback that also plays special teams and running back. Ran a mid-4.3s 40 yard dash at his Pro Day, allowed passer rating of 44.6 while in coverage, 5th best of all draftable CBs with 50+ targets per Pro Football Focus.
Purdue WR DeAngelo Yancey (source): 6’2, 220 pound receiver with a ridiculous 6.84s three cone time and a 4.53s 40 yard dash. Yancey caught 97 passes for 1,651 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons as the only real threat; the next-highest receiver gained 614 yards over that time.
Central Arkansas WR Desmond Smith (source): 6’0, 202 pound receiver has 2,828 career yards and 20 career touchdowns.
Louisville WR Jamari Staples (source): 6’3, 195 pound receiver with 4.51s 40 yard dash. Has 73 receptions for 1,253 yards and 5 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Ole Miss WR Quincy Adeboyejo (source): 6’3, 197 pound receiver with a 4.42s 40 yard dash and an incredible (for his height) 6.73s three cone. Only collected 73 catches for 1,060 yards and 8 touchdowns over the past two years as he played inside and out with a basic route tree and questionable hands.
Villanova OT Brad Seaton (source): 6’9, 311 pound monster could be the development tackle that the Patriots are seemingly looking for late in the draft.
Wisconsin EDGE T.J. Watt (source): 6’4, 252 pound edge defender is the younger brother of J.J. Watt. Ranked as one of the top performers at the combine at every single drill other than bench press. Watt is a converted tight end that suffered knee injuries in 2014 and 2015 before racking up 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss as a Second Team All American in 2016.
Ohio EDGE Tarell Basham (source): 6’4, 269 pound edge defender with a 4.70s 40 yard dash racked up 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss and led a run defense that ranked 5th in college football.
BYU FS Kai Nacua (source): 6’1, 205 pound free safety runs a 4.49s 40 yard dash, 6.87s three cone, and a 10’7 broad jump. Collected 12 interceptions over his junior and senior years and 14 in his college career. Added 13 pass break-ups, 8 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and recovery, and two defensive touchdowns.
BYU OL Andrew Eide (source): 6’5, 302 pound offensive line prospect started at defensive end and defensive tackle for Southern Utah in 2013 and 2014 before starting on the offensive line in 2015. He graduated and transferred to BYU are started at left tackle in 2016.
Tennessee EDGE Derek Barnett (source): 6’3, 260 pound edge defender with a slow 4.88s 40 yard dash, but a blazing 6.96s three cone and 9’9 broad jump. Barnett is a stout run defender that generates a lot of disruptions in the pocket.
UNH RB Dalton Crossan (source): 5’11, 204 pound running back with a 4.46s 40 yard dash and 6.84s three cone. Has gained 2,166 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns over the past two seasons and added 607 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns on 88 receptions. Also served as kick returner.
Tennessee CB Cam Sutton (source): 5’11, 188 pound cornerback that started for four seasons. Only played 7 games as a senior due to a broken ankle. Broke up 30 passes and recorded 7 interceptions over his career. Possible slot corner in the NFL and also a punt returner.
Florida State WR Travis Rudolph (source): 6’0, 189 pound receiver with 4.65s 40 yard dash and 6.93s three cone time. Rudolph accumulated 2,311 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Youngstown State EDGE Derek Rivers (source): 6’4, 248 pound pass rusher out of a small school, possesses the athleticism to drop into coverage. Raised profile through offseason Bowls and Combines.
Massachusetts S Khary Bailey-Smith (source): 6’1, 198 safety that has started on-and-off for his entire college career. Has 18 passes defended and 3 forced fumbles over 46 career games.
Texas RB D’Onta Foreman (source): 6’1, 249 pound running back that gets the short yardage, but struggles in pass protection, as a receiver, and at protecting the football.
Wake Forest LB Marquel Lee (source): 6’3, 240 pound linebacker with a 4.78s 40 yard dash and a 7.28s three cone. Lee racked up 105 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 2016. Two-year captain, three-year starter.
LSU DL Davon Godchaux (source): 6’3, 310 pound defensive lineman that was charged with domestic violence, but the charges were dropped. Racked up 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
Pittsburgh QB Nathan Peterman (source): 6’2, 226 pound quarterback who started his career at Tennessee. Transferred and started two seasons for Pitt. Considered one of the biggest sleepers at the position.
Toledo RB Kareem Hunt (source): 5’10, 216 pound do-it-all running back that hasn’t fumbled in three years as a starter. 3rd most yards from scrimmage in MAC history.
Kutztown OL Jordan Morgan (source): 6’3, 309 pound four year starter at left tackle that projects to play on the interior in the NFL due to his height. First Team All Conference three seasons in a row, two-time captain. Division II prospect.
Villanova LB Austin Calitro (source): 6’1, 239 pound linebacker with 4.67s 40 yard dash and 6.96s three cone. Two-year starter, racked up 83 tackles, 11 for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 2 pass breakups on the year.
Villanova DL Tanoh Kpassagnon (source): 6’7, 289 pound defensive lineman with a blazing 4.83s 40 yard dash. Two-year starter with 22 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss over his college career.
Oklahoma State OT Victor Salako (source): 6’6, 316 pound offensive tackle that started four seasons. Originally played at UAB, until program shut down and he transferred to OSU.
Florida EDGE Bryan Cox (source): 6’3, 265 pound edge rusher with 4.89s 40 yard dash. Son of former Patriots linebacker and current Falcons defensive line coach. Three-year starter with 10 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss.
New Hampshire CB Casey DeAndrade (source): 5’11, 212 pound cornerback with a 4.46s 40 yard and 6.96s three cone time. Four-year starter named First Team All Conference in final three seasons. Also named First Team twice and Third Team once as a punt returner. Racked up 62 passes defended and 9 interceptions.
South Carolina LB T.J. Holloman (source): 6’3, 232 pound linebacker with a 4.90s 40 yard dash and 7.65s three cone. Plays much faster than timed and was very productive in the SEC with 211 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 8 interceptions, and 5 passes defended.
Richmond DT Winston Craig (source): 6’3, 288 pound defensive tackle with impressive 5.02s 40 yard dash and 9’3 broad jump. Craig picked up 7.5 sacks and blocked three field goals.
North Dakota C Michael Coe (source): 6’2, 309 pound lineman that started four years at center and kicked out to left and right tackle as needed by the coaches. Could be a super-sub in the NFL.
Minnesota S Damarius Travis (source): 6’1, 206 pound safety with exceptional quickness and change of direction ability. Played free safety, strong safety, linebacker, slot, and special teams.
Illinois EDGE Dawuane Smoot (source): 6’3, 264 pound edge defender with experience in a 3-4 defense. Questionable burst off the snap and saw production drop in his final year.
Central Florida CB D.J. Killings (source): 5’11, 187 pound cornerback with solid athleticism (4.48s 40; 10’4 broad; 6.97s three cone) as a two-year starter. Broke up 11 passes and intercepted 3 passes in 2016.
Central Florida CB Shaquill Griffin (source): 6’0, 194 pound cornerback with ridiculous 4.38s 40 yard dash, 11’0 broad jump, and 6.87s three cone time. Has the second-most disruptions in the cornerback draft class.
Connecticut DB Obi Melifonwu (source): 6’4, 224 pound strong safety that could also play cornerback and linebacker.
Official Visits
Florida CB Teez Tabor (source): 6’0, 199 pound cornerback was two-time First Team All SEC with great coverage ability, but some off-the-field questions. Ran a slow 4.62s 40 yard dash at the combine, and was an even slower 4.72s at his pro day.
Mississippi State WR Fred Ross (source): 6’1, 213 pound receiver with a 4.51s 40 yard dash and a 6.99s three cone. Ross collected 2,005 yards and 18 touchdowns over the past two seasons as primarily a slot receiver.
Missouri DT Josh Augusta (source): 6’4, 347 pound defensive tackle with 5.19s 40 yard dash and 9’ broad jump, both some of the best marks by a player of his size since 2000. Run stuffer that picked up 20 tackles for loss and 4 sacks over his career. Also served as a fullback and scored two touchdowns.
Eastern Washington LB Samson Ebukam (source): 6’2, 240 pound defender that played both edge and linebacker and projects to play strongside linebacker in a 4-3. Has the athleticism to drop back into coverage and he was very productive against the run.
Texas RB D’Onta Foreman (source): 6’1, 249 pound running back that gets the short yardage and is a good blocker, but doesn’t catch and struggles at protecting the football.
Troy OT Antonio Garcia (source): 6’6, 302 pound tackle with fantastic athleticism, experience, and production, but needs to add weight and improve technique to compete in the NFL.
Florida State EDGE DeMarcus Walker (source): 6’4, 280 pound pass rusher with incredible production, but might not have quickness to translate to same role in NFL.
Utah OG Isaac Asiata (source): 6’3, 323 pound guard has also spent time at right tackle. He’s a whirlwind of power, athleticism, and energy, but needs coaching to refine his technique.
Michigan CB Jourdan Lewis (source): 5’10, 188 pound cornerback with 4.47s speed and 6.88s three cone quickness. Lewis is one of the biggest disruptors on the field, but was charged with domestic violence in March (Lewis plead not guilty).
Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk (source): 6’6, 310 offensive tackle prospect that transferred and starred at left tackle in 2016. Possibly the best tackle in the draft, but lacks top level experience.
California WR Chad Hansen (source): 6’2, 202 pound wide receiver with 4.47s speed and fantastic 6.74s three cone quickness. Racked up 1,249 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns despite missing two games.
Ohio EDGE Tarell Basham (source): 6’4, 269 pound edge defender with a 4.70s 40 yard dash racked up 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss and led a run defense that ranked 5th in college football.
Lamar CB Brendan Langley (source): 6’0, 201 pound cornerback that also played wide receiver for the University of Georgia. Owns solid 4.43s 40 yard dash and 7.06s three cone time. Good measurables, very raw.
Houston CB Brandon Wilson (source): 5’10, 201 pound cornerback that also plays special teams and running back. Ran a mid-4.3s 40 yard dash at his Pro Day, allowed passer rating of 44.6 while in coverage, 5th best of all draftable CBs with 50+ targets per Pro Football Focus.