After working closely with the Patriots’ coaching staff at the Senior Bowl, Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers is scheduled to meet with the team this week. Flowers is the fourth player at his position to take a top-30 visit with New England thus far, joining Jordan Addison (a 1st-early 2nd-round prospect), Jonathan Mingo (a mid-round prospect), and T.J. Luther (a day 3/priority free agent prospect).
Top-30 visits are a useful way of gauging where the Patriots’ interests lie in terms of positions and prospects beyond day 1 of the draft. Last season, mid-round picks Marcus and Jack Jones were among several cornerbacks who met with the team. New England also showed interest in a pair of day 1 offensive linemen and backup quarterback prospects, including eventual undrafted free agent signing D’Eriq King.
I haven’t been shy in my praise of Flowers this pre-draft cycle, as his electric playmaking ability and Alpha mentality are what the offense needs to take a step forward in competitiveness.
Everybody wants to argue about the Mac Jones story today.
I say watch Zay Flowers run a beautiful corner-post route against bracket coverage instead. He’s meeting with the Patriots tomorrow.
pic.twitter.com/QLvvvt2CKd— Off-Season Andrew (@Patriots_Andrew) April 4, 2023
He’s this class’ best deep threat, its most dangerous receiver after the catch, and one of its most competitive in contested catch situations despite being undersized. The Patriots could likely trade down to the 20th pick and grab Flowers there, but they’ve shown a willingness to be aggressive for one of ‘their guys’.
According to reports, New England will also be meeting with:
- LT Broderick Jones, Georgia
- S Jammie Robinson, Florida State
- DL Viliami “Junior” Fehoko, San Jose State
- DT Scott Matlock, Boise State
1st-round prospect Broderick Jones will be meeting with the Patriots for a second time after the two sides spoke at the combine. He has franchise tackle potential as arguably the most athletic lineman in this draft. He also plays with a finisher’s mentality and consistently tries to impose his will on defenders.
Georgia OT Broderick Jones has some of the best play strength you'll see in an OT — whether he's anchoring in a pass set or turning shoulders in the run game, he does everything with violence.
He's a #Bears name to know — turn your ? on and I'll walk you through his game! pic.twitter.com/fVHdBdXPXD
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 4, 2023
However, with only 19 starts on his college resume, Jones will need work from top-to-bottom and may not be a reliable starter immediately. Fortunately, the Patriots have enough veteran depth at tackle that he wouldn’t be rushed into action prematurely. Belichick’s relationship with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart should also provide optimal insight so the Patriots can make a well-informed decision.
Day 2 prospect Jammie Robinson is an easy player to project into New England’s hyper-versatile secondary.
✅Versatilite
✅Hard-nosed, rangy tackler
✅Instinctive in underneath zones and man-to-manRobinson's a prototypical Patriots safety who can play drop down into the box, blitz from the slot, or cover backs/TEs as a dime linebacker https://t.co/t6lWvMg8Yt pic.twitter.com/F01zwBacbA
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 5, 2023
He’s at his best near the line of scrimmage and thrived coming downhill for Florida State. Robinson’s forceful tackling, efficient blitzing, and proficiency in underneath coverage would allow him to serve multiple roles. He doesn’t have Dugger’s size or ball-hawking ability, but Robinson would be another physical, tone-setting presence in the defensive backfield.
Junior Fehoko is actually a player I mocked to the Patriots in the 6th round.
Favorite things about Fehoko based on what little footage I could find: his motor and inside pass rush moves pic.twitter.com/67LBLqxNcd
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 5, 2023
He’s a powerful edge defender who was a disruptive presence for San Jose State and flashed some nasty inside counters as a pass rusher. Fehok0’s got a tweener body type and can also kick inside, but that’s likely not where he makes a living in the pros. His most likely fit on the Patriots would be a rotational edge rusher who earns his keep on special teams.
Scott Matlock had an impressive pro day and worked with New England’s staff at the Shrine Bowl. Matlock was a three-year starter for Boise State, recording six tackles for loss last season and earning All-Mountain West Second Team honors. Matlock also caught a pair of low Red Zone touchdowns and blocked three kicks in his career.
