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With Jakobi Meyers potentially leaving the Patriots in free agency, might the team be hoping to find the next version in this year's rookie class?
Ethan Hurwitz of the Quinnipiac University Chronicle reports the Patriots met with North Carolina AT&T quarterback Jalen Fowler down at the HBCU Combine this past week. Though the Steelers' Omar Khan was reportedly the only general manager to attend the event in person, New England clearly took the opportunity to get eyes on the talent down there.
Fowler certainly looks the part of a pro-style quarterback, standing at nearly 6-3 and weighing in at a solid 240 pounds. The Aggies signal-caller, who started for two years before finishing his college career as a redshirt senior, improved as a passer every season, completing 62 percent of his throws for 1,796 yards and 15 touchdowns (against six interceptions) in 2022.
Interestingly, he's not the running quarterback you might've been expecting, rushing for just 212 yards in his three seasons. He's not particularly fast, though his sturdy build made him a strong runner in short-yardage situations. So don't get the idea that the Patriots are trying to sign discount Lamar Jackson or something.
But the Patriots' interest in Fowler feels interesting considering the raw athletic ability the young quarterback seems to have in the brief glimpses available on film and New England's penchant for converting overlooked quarterbacks to other positions.
Meyers, of course, had changed over to wide receiver before reaching the NFL, playing that position for two years with North Carolina State. But Julian Edelman, who played quarterback exclusively at Kent State University, notably didn't start playing receiver and returning kicks until after the Patriots drafted him in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Likewise, Florida dual-threat quarterback D'Eriq King, whom New England waived before the start of last season, was brought to Foxborough to audition at other positions.
Fowler feels like a long shot to make it in the NFL at quarterback, and it almost certainly wouldn't make much difference to Mac Jones' status if New England brought the Aggie in for a workout. With his build, perhaps a hybrid running back/H-back role could make sense for him if he and the Patriots were so inclined.
Whether or not it happens, though, New England's chat with him shows it's always on the lookout for the next diamond in the rough.
