With the Coronavirus pandemic still affecting the way the NFL operates, its teams once again have to conduct business outside the season in a non-traditional way. The New England Patriots are obviously no exception, and their pre-draft Scouting illustrates this: the team is already in the process of holding virtual meetings with potential targets.
Four of these interviews have been reported so far (all via Justin Melo of The Draft Network) and show that New England is launching a wide network, despite current limitations:
TE Kenny Yeboah, Olé Miss (6040, 247 lbs): A possible choice for the final draft of the round, Yeboah offers an advantage as a versatile receptive tight end that could fill a rotating role in New England alongside the 2020 third round selections Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. While not the best blocker, it can give New England a solid weapon of confrontation with size and the ability to run after capture to find situational success. For a more in-depth look at Yeboah, click here.
DT Tommy Togiai, Ohio State (6020, 300 pounds): Not only did the New England countryside’s defensive line fight in 2020, its top three players – Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise Jr. – are all heading for the free agency as well. Consequently, getting some updates on board will be critical in this off-season. Togiai is a big player who should help with his first takedowns and can take the nose tackle position. New England has not been able to play properly for most of last season.
DE Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame (6035, 261 lbs): Hayes offers a solid size to maintain the defensive advantage in New England, and could give the Patriots a versatile rotating player to use alongside the 2021-designed beginners, Chase Winovich and Josh Uche. While not the most explosive pass rusher, he can see some action as an early edge setter against the race – an area of weakness for the defense of New England in 2020.
RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo (5090, 195 pounds): With James White and Rex Burkhead heading for the free agency, the Patriots may decide to invest in their running back position in this year’s draft. A potential mid-round selection, Patterson would give New England a versatile set of skills to possibly help replace the two veterans: he can successfully carry the ball when asked to run between tackles, but he is also experienced as an outside receiver from Camp.
The Patriots are familiar with conducting preliminary interviews on a virtual forum. Last season, when the recognition process was suddenly interrupted by Covid-19, New England held 21 of its 71 meetings reported in this way. And, as coach Bill Belichick pointed out during his season-end conference call in early January, he and his team were prepared for a similar outlook this year.
“If this spring is the same as the last, then it will be almost the same as the last – virtual interviews with the players and the information you can get and so on. In terms of the past, no NFL scout was on campus to talk to the players, talk to the coaches or watch training or anything. There were games for which you could buy tickets to go to the game, but it was like that for the whole league, ”said Belichick.
“You just have to evaluate what you have to evaluate. You know, less information is less information. This is really all there is to do, and what we will be able to do this spring or what we will not be yet to be determined. But, I think we should probably plan less than more than it has historically been. “
The Patriots were present at the Senior Bowl earlier this month and will also have a chance to rate Pro Days at any forum where they occur. A critical part of the pre-project process – Scouting Combine in Indianapolis – will not happen this year, however.