2021 Patriots pre-draft tracker: Interviews, workouts, meetings, analysis, and more

Draft season is in full swing, which means that the New England Patriots will be busy doing interviews, working out NFL prospects or inviting them for a finite number of pre-draft visits. While the process itself will look markedly different than in years past due to the Coronavirus pandemic — the Scouting Combine was canceled, for example, and Pro Days will have increased value — there will be plenty of news to report up until late April.

Make sure, therefore, to bookmark our interview and meetings tracker to find out who the Patriots have already spoken to or worked out with to the best of our knowledge.

Senior Bowl

QB Mac Jones, Alabama (6025, 217 lbs): One of the best quarterback prospects in this year’s class, Jones may not be the best athlete the position has to offer but has proven himself a capable pocket passer at Alabama. A potential first-round draft pick, his success in college and the natural connection between the Crimson Tide and the Patriots make him a prime New England target with one of its early-round selections. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Jim McBride)

QB Jamie Newman, Wake Forest (6027, 235 lbs): Newman sat out the 2020 season after transferring from Wake Forest to Georgia, but he is still a viable mid-round passer for a team willing to invest time in him. The 23-year-old has all the tools to develop into a dual-threat starting QB at the next level, but he needs to be refined as a passer. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Jim McBride)

DE Jonathon Cooper, Ohio State (6028, 254 lbs): While not the most explosive athlete, Cooper has the tools to develop into a solid rotational pass rusher at the next level due to his high motor and solid technical foundation. After redshirting in 2019 due to an ankle injury, he registered 2.5 sacks as a fifth-year senior the following season. (via Justin Melo)

QB Kellen Mond, Texas A&M (6025, 205 lbs): New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Jim McBride)

WR Amari Rodgers, Clemson (5095, 211 lbs): Rodgers is an experienced slot receiver who is entering the draft coming off the most productive season of his career. Leading the Clemson offense in receptions (77), yards (1,020) and touchdowns (7), he served the favorite target of likely number one overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence. New England also visited his Pro Day and had a virtual interview with him. (via Jim McBride)

S Darren Hall, San Diego State (5114, 189 lbs): New England also had a virtual interview with him. (via Justin Melo)

WR Racey McMath, LSU (via Mark Daniels)

LB K.J. Britt, Auburn (via Mark Daniels)

LB Grant Stuard, Houston (via Mark Daniels)

DE Cameron Sample, Tulane (via Mark Daniels)

DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Notre Dame (via Mark Daniels)

CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse (via Mark Daniels)

CB Benjamin St. Juste, Minnesota (via Mark Daniels)

Virtual interviews

TE Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss (6040, 247 lbs): A potential late-round draft pick, Yeboah offers upside as a versatile receiving tight end. While not the best blocker, he can be a solid matchup weapon that has the size and run-after-the-catch ability to find situational success. (via Justin Melo)

DT Tommy Togiai, Ohio State (6020, 300 lbs): Togiai is a big-bodied player who should help on early downs and has upside in a two-gap scheme like the one run by New England. While his upside as a pass rusher is limited, his solid technique and surprising quickness will allow him to get onto the field rather early in his career. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Justin Melo)

DE Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame (6035, 261 lbs): Hayes offers some solid size to man the defensive edge at the next level. While not the most explosive pass rusher, the potential Day Three selection could see some action as an early-down edge setter versus the run. (via Justin Melo)

RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo (5090, 195 lbs): A potential mid-round selection, Patterson offers a versatile skillset and can serve as either a change-of-pace or receiving back in the NFL: he can successfully carry the ball when asked to run between the tackles, but is also experienced as a receiver out of the backfield. (via Justin Melo)

CB Avery Williams, Boise State (5090, 197 lbs): While Williams is listed as a cornerback and can contribute in sub looks at the next level, his true value comes in the kicking game: he is one of the most electric special teamers in this year’s draft. Williams has nine return touchdowns on his résumé and has blocked three punts as well as a field goal and an extra point. (via Justin Melo)

RB Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State (5090, 215 lbs): A versatile player who has been immensely productive at Oregon State — he registered 3,222 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns in three seasons — Jefferson projects favorably as a change-of-pace back at the next level. Not only is he a solid receiving option out of the backfield, he also has the vision and quickness to succeed as a between-the-tackles runner. (via Justin Melo)

CB Thomas Graham Jr, Oregon (5105, 193 lbs): Thomas projects as a mid-round selection, but his ceiling might be limited due to his comparatively average athletic skillset. That said, he has value as a potential special teams presence and also brings a solid technique to the table that helps him stay competitive when asked to cover man-to-man. (via Justin Melo)

TE Brevin Jordan, Miami (6030, 245 lbs): One of the best tight end prospects in this year’s draft, Jordan is a versatile playmaker who can be a difference-maker in the passing game from Day One. While he still has room for growth as a blocker, his receiving skills in combination with his athleticism and size make him a dangerous player. He is projected to come off the board early on the second day of the draft. (via Justin Melo)

CB Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon (5110, 202 lbs): Lenoir projects as a rotational cornerback at the next level whose biggest strengths are his versatility and his instinctive play rather than his athleticism. He should be able to contribute in the kicking game right away, but is a project as a defensive back. (via Justin Melo)

WR Rondale Moore, Purdue (5090, 175 lbs): A hit-or-miss prospect, Moore could be an immediate weapon in the NFL due to his impressive athleticism and ability to play seemingly every role on the offensive side of the ball. While his ceiling is as high as that of any wide receiver in the class, he does come with his fair share of questions — from his build to his extensive injury history. (via Justin Melo)

RB Javian Hawkins, Louisville (5090, 196 lbs): After gaining 2,432 yards from scrimmage and scoring 17 touchdowns over the last two seasons, Hawkins decided to enter the draft despite having two years of eligibility remaining. A raw player with intriguing potential, he is capable of contributing as a ball-carrier and as a receiving back at the next level. (via Justin Melo)

CB Trill Williams, Syracuse (6020, 198 lbs): A versatile player who has lined up all over Syracuse’s secondary, Williams best projects as a perimeter cornerback at the NFL level due to his length, physicality and explosiveness. The Junior defender will likely come off the board on Day Two. (via Justin Melo)

TE Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame (6040, 248 lbs): Possibly the best blocking tight end in this year’s draft, Tremble may have spent most of his college career as a TE2 but he still has proven himself an NFL-caliber player. As such, he offers not just an intriguing skillset as a possible move tight end but also impressive upside. (via Justin Melo)

WR Anthony Schwartz, Auburn (6000, 179 lbs): Schwartz may just be one of the fastest players this draft has to offer, and as such is a home run threat from the slot. While more of a project than other wideouts, he can have a future in the league as a matchup-specific weapon on vertical concepts and in the middle of the field. (via Justin Melo)

OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State (6060, 310 lbs): Even though he decided to opt out halfway through his 2020 season, Jenkins is one of the premier offensive tackles in this year’s draft and a borderline first-round prospect. After all, he combines ideal size with versatility, experience and starter-level upside. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Justin Melo)

WR Dax Milne, Brigham Young (6000, 190 lbs): The favorite target of potential top-five draft pick Zach Wilson, Milne finished his 2020 season at BYU with 70 catches for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns. While likely not coming off the board until the middle rounds, he has proven himself a reliable pass catcher with a good athletic foundation to build upon. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Justin Melo)

WR Connor Wedington, Stanford (6000, 190 lbs): While his work as a pass catcher is nothing to write home about, Wedington is one of the best returnmen in this year’s draft. Over the last two seasons — he played just three games in 2020 — he averaged 27.4 yards per kickoff return. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Justin Melo)

LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa (6040, 260 lbs): One of the best linebacker prospects in this year’s draft, Collins is not just projected to come off the board in the first round but also become an immediate impact player for the team selecting him. His size and athleticism are impressive, and so is his football IQ as well as his versatility: Collins is a true three-down linebacker and has all the tools to turn into a dynamic playmaker. (via Justin Melo)

CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern (6010, 190 lbs): One of the better cornerbacks in this year’s draft class, Newsome is projected to come off the board on Day Two. A perimeter cornerback who has good length and instincts, he has the upside to turn into a starter at the next level. New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Mark Lane)

RB Demetric Felton, UCLA (5085, 189 lbs): New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Justin Melo)

OT Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska (6055, 300 lbs) (via Justin Melo)

K Evan McPherson, Florida (5110, 185 lbs): New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Justin Melo)

RB Kene Nwangwu, Iowa State (6010, 210 lbs) (via Justin Melo)

WR Jacob Harris, Central Florida (6050, 211 lbs) (via Justin Melo)

QB Davis Mills, Stanford (6036, 217 lbs): New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Tom Pelissero)

RB Harry Trotter, Kansas State (via Mark Daniels)

G David Moore, Grambling State (via Mark Daniels)

G Samuel Cooper, Merrimack (via Mark Daniels)

LB Isaiah McDuffie, Boston College (via Mark Daniels)

S Jacoby Stevens, LSU (via Mark Daniels)

Pro Days

QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

QB Zach Wilson, BYU

QB Justin Fields, Ohio State

QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State

QB Kyle Trask, Florida

QB Sam Ehlinger, Texas

QB Ryan Willis, Virginia Tech

QB Collin Hill, South Carolina

QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern

RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State

RB Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech

WR Kadarius Toney, Florida

WR Simi Fehoko, Stanford

WR Cornell Powell, Clemson

WR Smi Smith, South Carolina

WR Trevon Grimes, Florida

WR Sage Surratt, Wake Forest

WR Brennan Eagles, Texas

WR Micah Simon, BYU

WR Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M

TE Kyle Pitts, Florida

TE Brevin Jordan, Miami

TE Matt Bushman, BYU

TE Luke Farrell, Ohio State

TE Miller Forristall, Alabama

TE Carl Tucker, Alabama

OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

OT Brady Christensen, BYU

OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State

OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas

OT Walker Little, Stanford

OT Stone Forsythe, Florida

OT Dan Moore Jr, Texas A&M

OT Jackson Carman, Clemson

OT Chandon Herring, BYU

OT Foster Sarrell, Stanford

OT Carson Green, Texas A&M

C Landon Dickerson, Alabama

G Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

C Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater

G Deonte Brown, Alabama

C Josh Myers, Ohio State

G Wyatt Davis, Ohio State

C Drew Dalman, Stanford

G Jared Hocker, Texas A&M

G Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina

G Tristen Hoge, BYU

C Brett Heggie, Florida

DT Christian Barmore, Alabama

DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

DT Bobby Brown, Texas A&M

DT Khyiris Tonga, BYU

DT Ta’Quon Graham, Texas

DT T.J. Slaton, Florida

DT Jarrod Hewitt, Virginia Tech

DT Chigozie Nnoruka, Miami

DT Kyree Campbell, Florida

DT Marlon Dunlap Jr, Florida

DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami

DE Gregor Rousseau, Miami

DE Carlos Basham Jr, Wake Forest

DE Quincy Roche, Miami

DE Patrick Johnson, Tulane

DE Justus Reed, Virginia Tech

DE Zac Dawe, BYU

LB Bardon Browning, Ohio State

LB Pete Werner, Ohio State

LB Buddy Johnson, Texas A&M

LB Ernest Jones, South Carolina

LB Anthony Hines II, Texas A&M

LB Rayshard Ashby, Virginia Tech

LB Isaiah Kaufusi, BYU

LB Tuf Burland, Ohio State

LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State

LB Joshua McMillon, Alabama

LB Joseph Ossai, Texas

LB Curtis Robinson, Stanford

CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford

CB Thomas Graham Jr, Oregon

CB Marco Wilson, Florida

CB Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina

CB Chris Wilcox, BYU

CB Nick Oelrich, Florida

S Devine Deablo, Virginia Tech

S Shawn Davis, Flordia

S Caden Sterns, Texas

S Joshuah Bledsoe, Missouri

S Chris Brown, Texas

S Zayne Anderson

S Kavika Fonua, BYU

S Brad Stewart Jr, Florida

S Donovan Stiner, Florida

K Jose Borregales, Miami

K Brian Johnson, Virginia Tech

K Jack Crane, Wake Forest

P Drue Chrisman, Ohio State

Workout

CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina: New England also visited his Pro Day. (via Mark Daniels)