Media caught Bill Belichick chatting up a pair of prospects at TCU’s pro day this afternoon.
The first reported interaction was between the Patriots head coach, director of player personnel Matt Groh, and wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
TCU WR Quentin Johnston, meet New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick. Just a chill, Pro Day hang. pic.twitter.com/Lr6OkPzGXd
— Garrett Podell (@garrettpodell) March 30, 2023
Johnston reportedly ran the 40-yard dash and 3-cone drill, performing well for a player of his size, and caught passes from quarterback Max Duggan. Johnston also had an official pre-draft meeting with the Patriots, which he referred to as “fun” and “exciting” when speaking to NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry.
On his second run at TCU Pro Day, WR Quentin Johnston ran a 4.50 flat unofficially.
First run: 4.49 unofficial
Second run: 4.50 unofficialNot too shabby for a guy who measured at 6’3, 212 pounds today. pic.twitter.com/oaSqYik2ir
— Garrett Podell (@garrettpodell) March 30, 2023
Johnston is a raw prospect who’s still learning how to beat man coverage and use his size to his advantage at the catch point, but he’s a generational athlete with enough receiving upside to warrant 1st round consideration.
Johnston spoke to NBC’s Phil Perry about what he things is the strongest part of his game.
“I feel like the strongest part of my game is my yards after catch and what I can do after I catch the ball, “Johnston said. “I could be on the 1-yard going in or the 1-yard line coming out. I’m just thinking of scoring and putting six points up for my team.”
Quentin Johnston's a bundle of potential with lots to work on, but he's shown enough flashes to suggest he's more than just an athlete
Does a nice job finding space vs zone and attacking leverage vs off. Also gets into YAC mode instantly, showing a nasty spin move and stiff arm https://t.co/DzWK7e9ciE pic.twitter.com/p6Q693NImX
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 30, 2023
The physical specimen would provide a skillset New England hasn’t had since Randy Moss, and his work in the short-intermediate area at TCU would translate well to the Patriots’ scheme. His big play ability would be a welcomed addition to a receiving corps stacked with possession receivers.
The second reported interaction was between Belichick and running back Kendre Miller, who sat out his Pro Day due to an MCL injury suffered in TCU’s playoff win against Michigan.
Luckily, reports indicate the prospective Day 3 pick’s recovery is going exceptionally well and he is ahead of schedule.
Miller is a runner in the mold of Rhamondre Stevenson and free agent acquisition James Robinson, thriving on downhill runs inside the tackles where he can patiently wait for daylight and drag would-be tacklers.
Kendre Miller's got the exceptional vision, patience, and contact balance NE likes from their backs. Defenders bounce and slip off him, and he fights hard for extra yards
Homerun hitting ability might not translate to the pros, particularly coming off his injury https://t.co/JCCU4bsROu pic.twitter.com/gSvrUyRBZ1
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 30, 2023
The Patriots have a clear-cut 1A in the backfield in Stevenson, but Robinson is still an unkown commodity coming off achilles and knee injuries over the past two seasons, and second-year backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris haven’t gotten enough live reps to know what they are as pro’s. At a position where depth is critical, an issue New England ran into multiple times last season, adding a back like Miller in the middle rounds seems like a wise move.
