The Combine takes place this week in Indianapolis.
The first big event of the NFL offseason has arrived as teams head to Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine. With the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, the Combine will give the New England Patriots a first-hand look at the top prospects in this year’s class both on and off the field.
Here are some of the top players and storylines to watch throughout the week for the Patriots.
Hunter’s Plan
There may not be a better player in this year’s class than Colorado’s Travis Hunter. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is an elite athlete who also took home the awards for best wide receiver and cornerback in the country as a two-way player.
His positional plan in the NFL, however, is the big question.
While Hunter is a better cornerback at this stage, he may also be the best wide receiver prospect in the class. When it comes to the Patriots, they would likely benefit from him playing more on the offensive side of the ball due to their lack of talent at the receiver spot.
Hunter is listed as a CB on the official Combine list, but may do some WR workouts over the week as he hopes to continue to play both ways in the NFL.
Campbell’s arms
The other big question atop the draft for the Patriots revolves around LSU left tackle Will Campbell. Campbell is viewed by many as the top offensive lineman in the draft, but that comes with plenty of projections at guard despite him playing over 2,500 snaps at left tackle over his collegiate career.
The main reason for those thinking he’ll make the switch to the inside is due to his arm length. Campbell is expected to measure in at or under 33 inches — the extreme low end of the spectrum for offensive tackles in the NFL. For a Patriots team that needs offensive tackles, they’ll be paying close attention the Campbell’s measurements on Sunday.
QB risers
Unlike last year, New England won’t be spending their week in Indy meeting with the top quarterback prospects. That doesn’t mean they won’t be paying attention to them, however.
Where things currently stand, Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are the top consensus QBs in this year’s class. While some draft pundits don’t view them as plausible options atop the draft, New England would benefit from one or both QBs being selected prior to their first-round pick — then leaving Hunter or Penn State’s Abdul Carter available at No. 4.
A strong week in the meeting rooms and on the field (Sanders will not participate in drills) from Ward and Sanders could help their draft stocks. While another quarterback (Will Howard, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe) impressing could also help New England when it comes to their second selection.
Wolf speaks
For the second straight year, Eliot Wolf is set to address the media at the Combine. New England’s Executive Vice President of Player Personnel is set to take the podium on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.
This will mark the first interview Wolf has held since training camp which leaves plenty of ground to be covered about not only the roster but the new front office setup with head coach Mike Vrabel and Ryan Cowden joining New England’s front office.
As for Vrabel, the new head coach will be in attendance and will speak Tuesday morning at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Off-the-Field
Much of the attention during the week is focused on the on-field measurements and workouts. But what happens off the field is just as an important part of the week in Indianapolis. In addition to medical tests, the Patriots will have extended time to meet with prospects one-on-one throughout the week as they continue to put their draft board together.
With free agency also approaching, it’s a key week for deals to start to come together around the league with plenty of NFL executives in attendance. Markets may start to move and be established with teams’ internal free agents and trades targets.
Others to watch
Beyond Hunter and Campbell, there will be plenty of prospects worth paying attention to over the week. Here are some other notable ones to watch:
- OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State): A torn patellar tendon won’t have Simmons on the field this week, but teams will use this week to get a medical update on what could be the best pure left tackle in the class.
- Other medical checkouts over the week: CB Shavon Revel (torn ACL in Sept.), WR Tre Harris (hurt hip/groin in Nov.), OL Seth McLaughlin (torn achilles in Nov.).
- WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State): Another Buckeye, Egbuka will be a top 40 pick after an extremely productive collegiate career. His long speed is the question and his 40-yard dash time could boost or lower his stock.
- WR Tet McMillan (Arizona): Similar story for McMillan, who is viewed by many as the top non-Travis Hunter WR in the draft. He moves well for his size on film but the long speed does not always appear to be present.
- The tight ends and running backs are the offenisve strength in this class and they should impress in Indy. That includes a pair of Drake Maye’s former UNC teammates: TE Bryson Nesbit and RB Omarion Hampton. Another under-the-radar RB who could dominate the testing: Texas’ Jaydon Blue.
- LB Jalen Walker and Edge Mykel Williams (Georgia): Bulldog front seven defenders are tough to evaluate at times in their defense due their scheme and talent around them, which means every piece of the puzzle is important. Walker and Williams both are plus athletes and have a chance to establish themselves as top-10 picks this week and potential options for New England in that range.
- LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama): One of my favorites in this class who should excel at the Combine. Campbell should be a first-round pick but the positional value could drop him into the Patriots range.
- CB Jahdae Barron (Texas): Barron has some Cooper DeJean-lite too him as an NFL-ready nickel corner which could lead to him falling. But the difference could be his long speed which will be put to the test.