6 rings & football things: breaking down all of the buzz coming out of the NFL Combine
The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine came to a close late Sunday evening and as is tradition, there’s plenty to take away from the yearly event – especially from a Patriots perspective.
Here’s a look at all of the news, notes, and rumors surrouding the Pats, as well as a look at which prospects helped and hurt their cause this week in Indianapolis:
News, notes, & rumors
– MassLive.com reported on Thursday that the Patriots have a plan in place for their 2024 quarterback room. According to Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels, and Chris Mason, the team’s plan is to sign a veteran signal-caller and draft a rookie to develop behind him with the No. 3 overall pick. They also reported that Mac Jones is likely on his way out of New England via trade.
– The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed later threw some water on the alleged quarterback plan, relaying that the MassLive report was “a surprise to front office members.”
– New England did make one move in the QB room this week, re-signing signal caller Nathan Rourke. Rourke joined the Patriots via waivers in late December.
– According to The Herald, New England is, “targeting at least one elite defender who would start immediately under new coach Jerod Mayo.” Defenders set to hit the market include DT Christian Wilkins, EDGE Jonathan Greenard, LB Josh Allen, and EDGE Brian Burns.
– The Patriots released cornerback J.C. Jackson on Friday, saving themselves over $13 million on the salary cap for 2024. According to Miguel Benzan (@patscap), New England now holds over $100 million in cap space.
– NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah fueled the Patriots quarterback rumor mill late Saturday, telling Rich Eisen on the Combine broadcast: "I mean we've all assumed that Baker [Mayfield] just goes right back to Tampa. I had somebody say... 'Don't sleep on the New England Patriots.' And if [they’re] in the Baker business, then the No. 3 pick is up for sale. And then the dominoes start to fall." Mayfield reportedly has supporters within the Patriots building and has tangible connections to executives Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith as well as offensive coaches Alex Van Pelt and Ben McAdoo.
– The Patriots brass in Indianapolis this weekend met with several of the top prospects. The running list includes QB Caleb Williams, QB Drake Maye, QB Jayden Daniels, QB Bo Nix, QB J.J. McCarthy, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Rome Odunze, OT Joe Alt, and OT Olu Fashanu.
– Despite Eliot Wolf taking charge in New England’s front office, his post as de facto general manager is reportedly not guaranteed post-draft. According to MassLive, the Patriots will “conduct interviews after the draft for a high-ranking front office position. It’s possible this is an actual GM search.” ESPN’s Mike Reiss chimed in on Sunday morning saying that he’d be “shocked” if Wolf isn’t leading the Pats’ personnel department beyond this draft.
Stock Watch
📈Stock Up: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
The biggest question mark for Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. heaing into combine were the medicals, as the quarterback suffered two ACL tears during his collegiate career.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, his exams, “came out extremely positive… no issues going forward.”
Penix’s measurements generated a lot of buzz in Indy as well, with his hand size coming in at 10.5 inches, top-10 all-time. It may sound silly but talent evaluators and coaches, especially in cold-weather cities, put a ton of stock in hand size.
On top of the off-field stuff, Penix also put his arm-stregnth, velocity, and accuracy on full display during his throwing session.
📈Stock Up: RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
Former Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo (who rushed for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 carries for the Cardinals this past season) blew the Combine testing out of the water this weekend in Indy. Here’s a look at his numbers:
- 40-yard dash: 4.33 seconds (1st among RBs)
- Vertical jump: 41.5 inches (1st)
- Broad jump: 10’9” (2nd)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.15 seconds (t4th)
- 3-cone: 6.94 seconds (4th)
Put it all together, and Guerendo notched a 9.99/10 relative athletic score (RAS). This ranks 2nd all-time out of 1745 RBs (!!) since 1987. Have a day.
📈Stock Up: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Despite coming in at just 165 pounds, Xavier Worthy was arguably the highlight of the weekend in Indy.
The former Texas Longhorn set the all-ime NFL Combine record for a 4.21 (!!) second 40-yard dash, breaking the previous record of 4.22 held by John Ross.
Worthy also notched a 41” vertical jump, which was fourth among wide receivers.
📈Stock Up: WR AD Mitchell, Texas
Another Texas pass catcher shined this weekend as well in AD Mitchell.
Mitchell measured in at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, notched a 4.34 40-yard dash, and tallied the longest broad jump of all wide receivers at 11’4”.
He also put together the No. 1 RAS among all wide recievers at the combine with a 9.98/10.
📈Stock Up: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
Similar to Peter Skoronski in 2022, the question mark surrounding Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu was his measurements – including if his arm-length would check out as a potential tackle.
Unlike Skoronski, Fautanu passed the test.
The former Huskie measured in at just under 6-foot-4, 317 pounds, and his arms are actually longer than 6-foot-8 Joe Alt – coming in at 34.5 inches.
📉Stock Down: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
While Florida State’s Keon Coleman showed out in the gauntlet and the on-field drills, his 4.61 40-yard dash will scare teams off.
Once thought of as a first-round talent, the 6-foot-4 pass catcher may slip towards the middle of day two.
📉Stock Down: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Arizona’s Jordan Morgan was my second-round pick for the Patriots in my post-Super Bowl Mock Draft. After tearing his ACL in 2022, the former Wildcat returned with a venegence in 2023 allowing just three sacks and three QB hits – earning him First-Team All-Pac 12 honors.
His measurements at the Combine, however, were pretty disappointing. His arms came in at just under 33 inches, projecting him to be more so a guard, rather than a tackle, at the next level.
📉Stock Down: CB Kalen King, Penn State
The one defender who makes the list is, unfortunately, a stock-down in Penn State’s Kalen King after putting up just a 4.61 40-yard dash – the second-slowest of all corners.
The 5-foot-11 defender starred for the Nittany Lions in 2022 hauling in three interceptions, notching 30 tackles, defending 22 passes, and forcing a fumble. However a sub-par 2023 mixed with his well below-average testing numbers will likely push him to Day three of the draft, if not to undrafted free agency.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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