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25 prospects Patriots fans should watch during the 2024 NFL Combine
The 2024 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent at quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle.
The 2024 NFL Draft might still be two months away, but Jerod Mayo, Eliot Wolf, and the rest of the Patriots’ top brass will be on hand to assess hundreds of prospects in this draft class during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
In total, 321 prospects have been invited to the annual event, which will be held from February 26 to March 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It’s a critical time on the NFL offseason calendar, with teams allowed to meet with several blue-chip talents who could land on their draft board in late April.
While most of the talk surrounding the Patriots’ draft plans has revolved around that No. 3 overall pick, New England has several other critical vacancies that must be addressed across its depth chart during the draft.
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Here are 25 prospects for Patriots fans to keep tabs on during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine:
QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
One of the two quarterbacks regularly linked to the Patriots at No. 3 overall, Daniels is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and boasts a high ceiling at the next level thanks to his dual-threat capabilities. Even though Daniels will reportedly not throw at the combine, he will be on hand in Indianapolis to meet with teams, including the Patriots. Expect New England to be on hand for LSU’s pro day when Daniels does work out, although some of the concerns with Daniels revolve more around his frame (210 pounds) than his arm.
QB Drake Maye, UNC
Much like Daniels or projected No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, Maye is also not expected to throw at the NFL combine but will be on hand for physicals and interviews with teams. Maye could be an appealing option for New England if he falls to No. 3 thanks to his strong arm and pro-ready frame (6-foot-4, 230 pounds). ESPN’s David Pollack called Maye “Justin Herbert 2.0” on College GameDay in November.
WR Malik Nabers, LSU
If the Patriots opt to take a prospect outside of Maye or Daniels with pick No. 3, it will likely be Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. — who might be the most hyped receiver to come out of college in over a decade.
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But with Harrison Jr. not even expected to be in Indy for the combine, New England might have to assess a few other potential WR1 options — especially if the team opts to trade down from No. 3 in exchange for a larger draft haul. If New England is looking to add more explosive playmakers to their roster, they can’t go wrong with Nabers, who led all FBS players with 17 catches of 30 yards or longer.
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Another top-10 option at wideout if the Patriots trade down, Odunze has everything you want in a potential top-receiving threat. Along with his crisp route running, Odunze is a physical force at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, which allowed him to touch defenses all season long with Washington (92 catches, 1,640 yards, 13 touchdowns).
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
If the Patriots trade down in the first round but aren’t prioritizing a receiver, there should be no shortage of potential franchise tackles available from picks No. 5-15.
Joe Alt might have the highest ceiling of this stacked group, with the former Notre Dame standout measuring out at 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds. Alt — who only coughed up one sack in 2023 — could slot right in on New England’s lackluster O-line, especially with Trent Brown likely playing elsewhere in 2024.
OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Much like Alt, Fashanu stands as another gifted tackle prospect who could slot in right away at LT for New England and could anchor that crucial spot in the lineup for the foreseeable future. The former Penn State captain didn’t allow a sack over 29 games with the Nittany Lions, but could use some work in the run game.
QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
At long last … a quarterback who’s actually going to throw at the combine. There might be a steep drop-off in this QB draft class after Williams, Maye, and Daniels go off the board, but McCarthy could elevate his draft stock with a strong showing in Indy. McCarthy has drawn rave reviews for his leadership and his ability to evade pressure in the pocket, but the reigning CFB national champion does leave some questions regarding his arm strength.
QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Much like McCarthy, Penix draws high marks for his leadership traits — with the southpaw helping the Huskies advance all the way to the CFB national championship game. But Penix has some question marks surrounding his NFL ceiling, be it his age (23) or lengthy injury history. He could stand as good value for a team looking for a QB in Round 2.
QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Another potential second-round option for the Patriots at QB, Nix broke the FBS record for single-season completion percentage (77.4) during his second season at Oregon. Still, Nix is an older prospect at 24 years old, and struggled during the Senior Bowl.
CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
One of the heroes of Michigan’s CFB championship triumph over Washington, Sainristil will command plenty of local attention throughout the lead-up to the NFL Draft as an Everett native.
He might be a bit undersized at 5-foot-10, but there’s no denying Sainristil’s athleticism and ball-hawk mentality. He was one of just five FBS players with at least six interceptions in 2023. He could be an effective nickel corner in the NFL ranks.
OT Patrick Paul, Houston
A physical force at 6-foot-7 and 333 pounds, Paul is considered to be a bit of a developmental project — even if he goes in the second round. But there’s a lot to like about his length and athleticism, which should be put on full display at Lucas Oil Stadium.
OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Another potential starting tackle who could be off the board early in the second round, Suamataia could also make a surge up the draft leaderboard with a strong showing in Indy. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler tabbed Suamataia as one of the top combine prospects to watch, with the 6-foot-4, 329 lineman expected to run a sub-5 time during the 40-yard dash.
WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
If the Patriots prioritize a wideout with their early second-round pick, a shifty pass-catcher like McConkey makes a lot of sense. Even though injuries limited him to just 30 catches for 478 yards in 2023, McConkey has developed a knack for burning defenses thanks to his route-running and stop-and-start acceleration. He made life miserable for defensive backs throughout February’s Senior Bowl.
WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
Even though the Wolverines were not exactly a pass-heavy offense in 2023, Wilson still doled out plenty of damage (12 touchdowns) thanks to his blistering straight-line speed. Another standout performer at the Senior Bowl, Wilson reportedly posted a 4.33 40-yard dash and ran a 6.20 3-cone drill last year. If he replicates that at the combine, he could be a second-round lock in late April.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
As currently constituted, the Patriots do not have a single tight end under contract for the 2024 season. And while New England might want to bring back a veteran like Hunter Henry, Sanders could be a dynamic weapon in Alex Van Pelt’s revamped offense. A big body at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, Sanders established himself as a three-level receiving threat at Texas. Georgia’s Brock Bowers might be the crown jewel of this tight end group, but Sanders has all the makings of a proven offensive weapon at the next level.
RB Dillon Johnson, Washington
Even though the Patriots already have a dynamic RB1 in place on their depth chart in Rhamondre Stevenson, he is entering a contract year in 2024 — while Ezekiel Elliott is hitting free agency. If New England is looking for more depth in the trenches, Johnson could be a candidate after scoring 16 touchdowns and averaging 5.1 yards per carry for Washington in 2023.
RB Dylan Laube, UNH
If the Patriots are looking for a versatile back capable of developing into a steady receiving threat, Laube is an appealing option. The first Wildcat combine invitee since 2013, Laube stuffed the stat sheet during his time in Durham — leading the FCS in all-purpose yards in each of the last two years.
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In 2023, Laube led UNH in nine stats: rushes, rushing yards, rushing TDs, receptions, receiving yards, TD receptions, kickoff return yards, kickoff return average, and punt return yards. He also saw his stock rise after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
His season was cut short due to injury in 2023, but scouts have regularly raved about Amegadjie’s high ceiling at the next level. He may not be as imposing as other tackles like Alt or Paul, but his athleticism and length makes him a viable Day 1 starter if he reaches his potential.
RB Bucky Irving, Oregon
There may be more explosive running backs available in this draft class, but the 5-foot-10 Irving might offer the most potential as a dynamic, third-down option who can reel in catches and extend drives. Even though he gained 1,180 rushing yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season with the Ducks, he also caught 56 passes for 413 yards.
OG Christian Mahogany, Boston College
The Patriots have had a prime window to watch Mahogany up close during his standout career at Chestnut Hill. An All-ACC First Team selection this past season, Mahogany could develop into a starting guard for New England in record time, but he also took some snaps at center during the East-West Shrine Bowl. With David Andrews’ future still to be determined, New England might want to start looking for reinforcements at that position.
TE Cade Stover, Ohio State
Unlike Sanders, Stover projects as more of a traditional tight end — capable of making plays in the red zone but also offering value as an effective blocker. His ability to clear a path during run plays and aid a beleaguered O-line could come in handy with the Patriots, but Stover also caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns with the Buckeyes in 2023.
OG C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross
If the Patriots are looking for more O-line reinforcements later on in the draft, there’s a lot to like about Hanson — who earned an invite to the combine after a standout career at Holy Cross. Hanson could see his stock rise at the combine thanks to his athleticism, which was regularly put on display for a Holy Cross team that did plenty of damage on the ground in 2023. Much like Mahogany, Hanson also logged some reps at center during the Shrine Bowl.
WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
He’s a 6-foot-7, 240-pound wide receiver. Need I say more? There will be questions about how that size (and most importantly, speed) will translate to the next level against NFL defenses, but Wilson was a productive player in college (897 yards, five touchdowns in 2023).
WR Jalen Coker, Holy Cross
Another potential late-round value add for the Patriots out of Holy Cross, Coker torched FCS defenses over the last two seasons in Worcester — reeling in 109 total catches for 1,949 yards and 26 total touchdowns. Even with the elevated competition found at the NFL ranks, Coker’s strong frame (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) and hand-eye coordination make him an appealing target as an outside receiver capable of winning battles for contested catches.
K Will Reichard, Alabama
After Chad Ryland struggled throughout the 2023 season, could the Patriots end up drafting yet another kicker in 2024? Reichard became the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader during his five seasons with the Crimson Tide, connecting on 82 field goals and 293 PATs. He earned First-Team All-SEC honors in 2023 after hitting 88% of his field-goal attempts.
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