The New England Patriots are preparing for the draft and going through the scouting process by visiting schools for their Pro Days. We have reports of five more visits by the Patriots and the team is continuing its focus on wide receivers and linebackers. Here are the latest visits:
Syracuse
Just a few of the @NFL teams attending #CuseProDay.
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) March 20, 2017
Follow along for updates starting at approximately 12:30 p.m.#OITNF pic.twitter.com/Yt8Hqe1zhp
There are two players at Syracuse that are worth noting and both are wide receivers: Amba Etta-Tawo and Brisley Estime.
Etta-Tawo is 6’1, 208 pounds, with an impressive 4.49s 40 yards dash and a 6.95s three cone. He was named First Team All ACC after recording 94 receptions for 1,482 yards and 14 touchdowns- all national top ten marks. He is currently considered a day three draft pick because he had just one season of production, is a raw route runner, and has problems with drops.
Estime is a 5’9, 182 pound return man that used his speed to chip in 518 yards and 3 touchdowns in his final year. He’s also used on end-arounds. He’s a free agent possibility.
Old Dominion
Scouts at #ODU pro day: #Redskins, #Jaguars, #Cardinals, #Giants, #Bears, #Packers, #Patriots, #Colts, #Bengals, #Jets, #Broncos, #Lions
— Khari Murphy (@MurphTalks) March 17, 2017
The main player to watch at Old Dominion is WR Zach Pascal, who stands at 6’2, 219 pounds with a 4.55s 40 yard dash, 10’5 broad jump, and 7.11s three cone. Over the past three seasons, he has recorded 193 receptions, 2,664 yards, and 24 touchdowns, in addition to 310 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown. He is considered a late round prospect after turning heads with a 8 catch, 104 yard, 2 touchdown performance against N.C. State.
Vanderbilt
LB Zach Cunningham on going over defenses with Bill Belichick at @VandyFootball pro day #Patriots #WBZ pic.twitter.com/TCAxkKPZI9
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) March 17, 2017
.@Patriots coach Bill Belichick letting LB Zach Cunningham what he's looking for in a drill at @VandyFootball Pro Day pic.twitter.com/1JxNza0K9S
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 16, 2017
#Patriots coach Bill Belichick getting a close look at DL drills at #Vandy Pro Day pic.twitter.com/eKHImNRDw4
— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) March 16, 2017
There are two main prospects at Vanderbilt, and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke with the main one in LB Zach Cunningham, a first round prospect after leading the SEC in tackles. Cunningham is 6’3, 234 pounds with a 4.67s 40 yard dash and an explosive 10’4 broad jump. He has issues with missed tackles, but is a three-down linebacker that can help in the NFL. The Patriots don’t have a first round pick, so this might be a case of scouting potential future opponents.
The other prospect is third-round OT Will Holden. Undrafted players include 6’4, 293 pound DT Adam Butler and 6’4, 285 pound DL Torey Agee.
Georgia
Matt Groh, son of former NFL & college head coach Al Groh, attended Georgia's Pro Day. Currently a scout with the #Patriots. #PatriotsNation
— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) March 15, 2017
Georgia doesn’t have their typical number of draftable prospects, but WR Isaiah McKenzie is considered the top player. McKenzie recorded 767 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns as a gadget receiver, with 633 of those yards coming as a receiver. McKenzie is 5’7, 173 pounds, runs a 4.42s 40 yard dash and a blistering 6.64s three cone time. He is an elite returnman with 6 touchdowns on punt and kick returns over the past three seasons.
South Carolina
The Patriots are showing special attention to South Carolina LB T.J. Holloman, per DraftAnalyst.com’s Tony Pauline.
“The more interesting note is the fact the New England Patriots attended the workout specifically to watch Holloman,” Pauline writes. “In fact I’m told the franchise spent a great deal of time with him during the College Gridiron Showcase in Texas, which took place during the second week of January. Holloman is the type of prospect the Patriots select late in the draft and eventually turn into a starting linebacker.”
Hollomon was a spot-starter for two seasons before becoming a full time starter over the past two seasons and was named a team captain in each year. Hollomon is 6’2, 240 pounds with a nose for coverage and making the big play, with 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 8 interceptions, 5 passes defended, and 4 fumble plays (recovery or forced). He could be a potential fit next to LB Dont’a Hightower in the Patriots defense as a late round option.
Alabama
Former Scottsdale Artichoke & North Canyon HS WR Anas Hasic with Patriots HC Bill Belichick at his pro day #2017NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/zP4S0XRXKe
— Scottsdale Football (@ChokeFootball) March 21, 2017
This isn’t a new report, which is why I didn’t add it to the tally, but Belichick met with West Florida WR Anas Hasic at the Alabama Pro Day. It’s unknown if it was more than just a picture, but Hasic is a 5’11, 215 pound receiver and kick returner that shares a trainer with CB Malcolm Butler.