2022 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 it remains to be seen how the process will eventually look like compared to last year’s — Covid-19 forced the league to make multiple adaptations — there will be plenty of news to report up until late April.

In order to find out who the Patriots have already spoken to or worked out thus far, please make sure to bookmark this pre-draft tracker. We will have all contact listed to the best of our knowledge.

Senior Bowl

WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: A big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Watson is coming off a productive senior campaign with the Bisons: he caught 43 passes for 801 yards and seven touchdowns and also had 15 rushing attempts for 114 yards and another score. Watson is expected to be drafted on Day 2. (per Jim McBride)

WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada: The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver ended his final year with the Wolfpack with 80 receptions for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns. A proven deep threat who is primarily aligning on the outside of the formation, Doubs will not be picked before the third day of the draft. (per Jim McBride)

East-West Shrine Bowl

WR Kyle Philips, UCLA: While he lacks both size and outstanding athletic traits, Philips was a productive receiver for the Bruins. Primarily playing in the slot, the 5-foot-10 wideout led the team with 59 receptions for 739 yards and 10 scores in 2021. Philips could come off the board as early as the third round. (per Phil Perry)

TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland: A projected late-round prospect, Okonkwo is on the smaller side for a tight end. But while he may lack traditional size at just 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, he has some intriguing athletic tools that could make him a matchup weapon at the next level. (per Justin Melo)

Scouting Combine

RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame: One of the top running back prospects in this year’s draft, Williams is coming off productive back-to-back seasons. The versatile 21-year-old touched the football a combined 492 times for 2,799 yards and 31 touchdowns. A potential three-down back, Williams will likely become a Day 2 selection. (per Khari Thompson)

WR Chris Olave, Ohio State: One of the top wide receivers in this year’s class, Olave will likely come off the board in the first round in two months. The 6-foot-1 wideout, who caught 65 passes for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, combines tremendous route-running, a high football IQ, and positional versatility. He also offers sneaky athleticism: his 4.39-second 40-yard dash is proof of that. (per Armando Salguero)

WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas: Burks caught 66 passes for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021 and enters the draft with some first-round buzz. A physical receiver who stands at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds and knows how to use his size, the 21-year-old has some of the best hands in the draft. (per Armando Salguero)

WR Jameson Williams, Alabama: Despite tearing his ACL in the National Championship Game, Williams will come off the board in the first round of the draft. His impressive 2021 season that saw him catch 79 passes for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns is only one reason why: the 6-foot-1, 179-pound pass catcher also combines elite quickness with advanced route-running skills, and is as good after the catch as any player in this class. (per Armando Salguero)

WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky: Robinson transferred from Nebraska to Kentucky last year and immediately took off, catching 104 passes for 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns. A likely Day 2 selection, Robinson will be used as a versatile interior receiver at the next level with considerable starter upside. (per Ryan McDowell)

LB Chad Muma, Wyoming: Muma combines good size (6-foot-2, 241 pounds) with advanced instincts, a physical edge and a knack for the football. While his coverage skills remain a work in progress, he will likely come off the board on Day 2 of the draft. (per Khari Thompson)

LB Quay Walker, Georgia: Walker’s athleticism and size make him a potential do-it-all defender at the next level: the versatile linebacker can align both on the edge, off the ball, or even on the inside of the line. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defender needs to work on his instincts — which is why he will likely not be drafted before the third round — but his upside cannot be denied. (per Andrew Callahan)

LB Drake Jackson, USC: Jackson is a work in progress, but he has some solid foundational tools to work with. If given time to grow, 6-foot-4, 250-pounder has the potential to become a successful edge at the next level capable of sealing off against the run and being disruptive versus the pass. (per Khari Thompson)

LB Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M: Hansford made the unusual transition form wide receiver to linebacker during his time at Texas A&M, but the decision to change positions was a good one. He likely will not come off the until late on Day 3, if at all, but will give his new team some physicality as an early-down linebacker. (per Andrew Callahan)

LB Devin Lloyd, Utah: The best linebacker in this year’s class, Lloyd has everything you would want from a modern NFL linebacker. He is an elite athlete that can play sideline-to-sideline coverage, but also combines strength and size to make an impact when coming downhill versus the pass and the run. On top of it all, he is a versatile athlete that can line up all over the front seven. Lloyd has “future star player” written all over him. (per Andrew Callahan)

LB Troy Andersen, Montana State: After playing quarterback, running back and linebacker in college, Andersen enters the draft as a potential Day 2 option. His combination of size — 6-foot-4, 243 pounds — and athleticism make him an exciting prospect, but he is a raw player mostly due to his lack of experience. (per Andrew Callahan)

LB Christian Harris, Alabama: Harris offers a good combination of instincts and burst, and might just be the best coverage linebacker in the class; it is no surprise that he is expected to come off the board in the second round. However, his size — 6-foot-0, 226 pounds — could be an issue for a team like the Patriots preferring its off-the-ball linebackers to be on the bigger side. (per Andrew Callahan)

C Cam Jurgens, Nebraska: A projected late-round selection in April, Jurgens ended his career with the Cornhuskers with 18 straight starts at the center position. Listed at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, he ran the sixth fastest 40-yard dash among all offensive linemen at the Combine (4.92). (per Justin Melo)

WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan: Moore had an informal meeting with the Patriots in Indianapolis, and it is not hard to see why the team might be interested in him. A talented slot receiver offering some impressive short-area quickness, the 5-foot-10 wideout projects as a Day 2 selection. (per Justin Melo)

QB Malik Willis, Liberty: Willis is one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, but he will not be drafted by the Patriots. That said, getting a close-up look at him cannot hurt. (via Doug Kyed)

Top-30 visits

DL Rayshad Nichols, Stephen F. Austin: Listed at 6-foot-3, 304 pounds, Nichols projects as an interior defensive lineman at the next level. While he offers plenty of experience and had 10 sacks as a redshirt senior in 2021, he likely will go undrafted. (via Aaron Wilson)

CB Marcus Jones, Houston: Jones was a big-play machine in his two seasons with the Cougars, registering six interceptions and a forced fumble. While his lack of length — he measured at 5-foot-8, 174 pounds at the combine — likely means that he will be asked to play in the slot in the NFL, he has the potential to turn into a starting defensive back. (via Aaron Wilson)

QB D’Eriq King, Miami: At 5-foot-9, 196 pounds, King is a realistic candidate to make the move from quarterback to wide receiver upon entering the NFL. The likely free agent does have some experience in this area, though: over his six-year career at Houston and Miami, he caught 61 passes for 520 yards and three touchdowns. (via Aaron Wilson)

OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa: Talk about a draft riser. The 6-foot-7, 325 pound Penning was a force to be reckoned with throughout his tenure at Northern Iowa. A strong showing at the Senior Bowl —which saw him take home lineman of the week honors— further solidified his stock as a future first round pick. (via Ryan Fowler)

CB Jack Jones, Arizona State: A true west coast kid, Jones’ career includes stops at the legendary Long Beach Polytechnic High School, USC, and Arizona State. In his three seasons under coach Herm Edwards at Arizona State, Jones recorded six interceptions and 19 pass deflections, leading the Sun Devils in the latter category over that span. (via Doug Kyed)

CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson: If the Patriots are looking for a cornerback to help replace J.C. Jackson, there may not be a better fit at No. 21 overall than the former Clemson Tiger. Booth showcased strong man-to-man ability throughout his three collegiate seasons, while also bringing a unique blend of size, strength, and versatility to the position. (via Ian Rapoport)

OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M: Green joins Johnson as the consensus top two guards in this year’s draft class. The former Aggie has NFL size at 6-foot-4, 323 pounds and is quite battle tested after starting 35 games in his three-year collegiate career. While most of his starts appeared at left guard, Green has played every position across the offensive line except for center. He’d be an instant starter and has all the tools to be an elite offensive lineman in the future. (via Ian Rapoport)

CB Trent McDuffie, Washington: One of the best cornerback prospects in this year’s draft and a likely first-round selection, McDuffie combines impressive athleticism with a strong technical foundation and a high football IQ. The 21-year-old projects as a Day 1 starter in the NFL and has legitimate upside as a number one cornerback. (via Jordan Schultz)

WR John Metchie III, Alabama: After meeting with the Patriots at the Combine, John Metchie will have another opportunity to make a good impression on the team. Despite tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship, Metchie caught 96 passes for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns for the Crimson Tide last year. The junior, who measures at 6-foot-0, 187 pounds, served as one of Mac Jones’ top targets when the two shared the field together in 2020. (via Jordan Schultz)

RB James Cook, Georgia: Cook is an do-it-all running back who put together a 1,012 all-purpose yard season for the National Champion Bulldogs in 2021. His role on the Georgia offense was to serve as a change of pace back to former starters Zamir White and Brian Herrien. In his four years in Athens, Cook caught 67 passes for 730 yards and six scores. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry on 230 carries over those four seasons. (via Tony Pauline)

OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: The Austrian-born Raimann started his college career at tight end but transitioned to offensive tackle ahead of his 2020 junior season. Despite a lack of experience — he started only 18 games at the position — he is projected as one of the top players at his position and a potential first-round draft choice. (via Evan Lazar)

DE Joshua Onujiogu, Framingham State: Onajiogu registered 36 sacks in 47 career games at Framingham State, but the level of competition he faced makes him a tough projection. He is expected to either get drafted very late or enter free agency. (via Mark Daniels)

G Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina: A projected mid-round pick, Ezeudu played all over the line at North Carolina but primarily projects as a guard at the next level. The 6-foot-4, 308-pounder started 28 games over the last three years. (via Tony Pauline)

Pro Days/Other meetings

OL Zion Johnson, Boston College: A versatile lineman who offers starting experience at left guard and left tackle, Johnson projects more favorably on the interior given his 6-foot-3, 312-pound frame. The potential first-round selection, who reportedly had an informal meeting with the Patriots, has “future starter” written all over him. (per Andrew Callahan)

CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State: Lucas was a quality starter throughout his six-year career in Tempe. Playing both on the perimeter and in the slot, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder started 49 games during his college career. All in all, he notched six interceptions, 34 pass breakups, and a pair of each forced fumbles and sacks. (per Mike Garafolo)

LB Darien Butler, Arizona State: Butler became a starter as a true freshman and never looked back. Throughout his four years at ASU — including the final three as a team captain — he started 37 games and was a leader for the team both on and off the field. While undersized by traditional linebacker standards at 5-foot-10, 221 pounds, he had some consistent production throughout his career. (per Mike Garafolo)

RB Mateao Durant, Duke: Durant is one of the most underrated prospects in the entire 2022 NFL Draft, Despite having rushed for more than 2,000 yards over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-1, 195 pound running back is viewed by most as a priority free agent option. Duke’s team MVP in 2020 scored 22 total touchdowns during his time in Raleigh and leaves as the programs single season rushing record holder. He is expected to workout for New England privately. (per Ryan Fowler)

CB Josh Thompson, Texas: Appearing in 45 games during his five-year college career, Thompson served as the Longhorns’ starting outside cornerback during his last two seasons. The projected late-round draft pick intercepted two passes along the way. (via Zack Cox)

WR Slade Bolden, Alabama: Despite playing behind Jameson Williams and John Metchie, Bolden finished the 2021 season with 42 catches for 408 yards and three scores. The 5-foot-11 wideout projects as a slot receiver in the NFL, but will likely not get drafted before the sixth or seventh round. The Patriots also spent some time with Bolden at the NFL Scouting Combine. (via Jordan Schultz)

QB E.J. Perry, Brown: Perry is coming off a solid redshirt senior season at Brown. Completing two thirds of his passes for 3,033 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, he proved himself a pro-ready player whose athleticism — he scored seven rushing touchdowns in 2021 — might just lead to a team investing a late-round selection in him. (via Mike Reiss)

OT Tyler Vrabel, Boston College: A projected late-round selection or rookie free agent, the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder started a combined 34 games for the Eagles. Moving between the left and right tackle positions, Vrabel was named an honorable All-ACC mention in each of the last three seasons. (via Jordan Schultz)

DB Coby Tippett, Rhode Island: The son of Patriots Hall of Famer Andre Tippett visited Gillette Stadium as part of a local workout. A projected free agent, the 5-foot-8, 195-pounder had two turnovers during his redshirt senior season and also contributed as a punt returner. (via Mike Reiss)

OT Ja’Tyre Carter, Southern: Standing at 6-foot-3, Carter probably lacks the length to become a successful offensive tackle at the NFL level. That said, he has the functional strength and stocky build of a guard; a move inside is an option for the projected late-round pick. (via Ryan Fowler)

DT Thomas Booker, Stanford: Booker offers good functional athleticism and has the versatility to line up all over the defensive line. He runs a bit hot and cold and will therefore likely not hear his name called any earlier than the fifth round, but he has solid developmental traits. (via Justin Melo)

TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina: Likely offers some enticing athleticism and was fairly productive during his senior season at Coastal Carolina; he caught 59 passes for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns. He needs to add to his 6-foot-4 frame to hold his own against NFL competition, but his talent might be enough to earn him a roster spot as a late-round pick. (via Justin Melo)

S Tariq Carpenter, Georgia Tech: A projected late-round pick or rookie free agent, Carpenter is a safety/linebacker hybrid who offers considerable experience. His tweener status hurts his draft stock, but he could find his way onto the field rather quickly as a special teamer. (via Mark Daniels)

RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA: McCormick was an immensely productive player in his three years at UTSA. A starter from Day 1, he carried the football 724 times for 3,929 yards and 34 touchdowns. Nonetheless, he is expected to come off the board no earlier than Day 3 — if at all. (via Tony Pauline)

OL Zach Tom, Wake Forest: Even though all of his 37 career starts came at either tackle or center, Tom looks destined to become a guard upon entering the NFL. He is neither the strongest nor biggest player, but he has the feet to eventually develop into a starter at the pro level. (via Justin Melo)