<![CDATA[With the NFL Combine underway, coaches finally get to watch prospects up close in Indianapolis, Indiana to see whether or not they fit the schemes, and character wise, they fit the bill. For New England, the versatile skill-sets of players are intriguing and taking chances at players that are overlooked happens frequently. Let's see who could be potentially wearing the Patriots logo this coming year.
DE Taco Charlton- Michigan- 6’6 277 pounds
4.92 40 yard dash/25 reps of 225 pounds/ 33 inch vertical
NFL.com scout guru Lance Zierlein compares Charlton to a former Belichick draftee in Chandler Jones.
DE Takkarist McKinley- UCLA- 6’2 250 pounds
4.59 40 yard dash/ 24 reps of 225 pounds/33 inch vertical
An “undersized” raw prospect, Mckinley reminds me of a Trey Flowers type of Patriots edge rusher. On the shorter end and explosive with an outstanding motor with ability to fill up the stat sheet.
LB Ryan Anderson- Alabama- 6’2 253 pounds
4.78 40 yard dash
Only because I had to put an Alabama player on this list (I’m kidding he really does fit our scheme), Anderson can be a run stopper in the heart of the defense along with the outside pressure on opposing teams. Dont’a Hightower was a Nick Saban disciple, maybe Belichick pulls the trigger on Anderson.
LB/S Jabrill Peppers- Michigan- 5’11 215 pounds
4.46 40 yard dash/ 19 reps of 225 pounds/ 35.5 inch vertical
You want to talk about a dynamic play-maker, this guy literally played everywhere on the field. The tape speaks for itself, but teams would love to mix and match with Peppers on their team.
TE Bucky Hodges- Virginia Tech- 6’7 257 pounds
4.57 40 yard dash/ 18 reps of 225 pounds/ 39.5 inch vertical
The tight end group this year is extremely deep with many options at the table, but for me personally, this guy is quite the athletic prospect. Besides his awesome name, Hodges is a Bennett (Martellus) type player that can benefit where Brady throws in coverage, because Hodges is 6’7 and has the long range to track the ball. With an insane 39.5″ leap for the vertical, he is a force to be wrecked with on route runs.
WR/QB Greg Ward Jr.- Houston- 5’11 186 pounds
10 reps of 225 pounds
Watching Ward Jr play on the field, he is a gifted athlete with a rocket arm and sizzling speed. Coming into the combine, he is not so much talked about through reports, but coaches I’m sure are keeping an eye on the elusive Ward Jr. With the skillset that is a resemblance of Julian Edelman, Ward Jr is another player that is converting positions and has the tools to make an NFL roster and succeed.
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