Patriots reportedly hosting Duke QB Daniel Jones, West Virginia QB Will Grier for top-30 visits
DURHAM, NC – SEPTEMBER 29: Daniel Jones of the Duke Blue Devils rolls out against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Virginia Tech won 31-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots are getting to know a pair of quarterbacks quite well ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft. They’re hosting both Duke’s Daniel Jones and West Virginia’s Will Grier for top-30 visits on Wednesday, according to the NFL Network’s The #Patriots are doing their share of QB homework, as West Virginia QB Will Grier is visiting today, along with Duke’s Daniel Jones. Busy time for Grier, who heads to the #Giants tomorrow and has two more visits after that.
Jones is coming out of Duke as a three-year starter with prototypical QB size at 6-foot-5. He’s generally described as a smart passer who has good mechanics but not necessarily game-breaking ability, which makes him a possibility to fall to the Patriots at pick No. 32. Here’s what Lance Zierlein has to say in his NFL.com draft profile:
“Jones doesn’t have special arm talent, but he can make pro throws and has the ability to attack deep with accuracy. … Jones has good football IQ and is relatively mobile, but he appears to be more of a game manager than “franchise” talent. He’s more of a Day 2 draft pick than Day 1.”
Grier is less surprising as a prospect visiting the Patriots. Adam Schefter reported last month that the Patriots were expected to meet with him. Grier’s scouting reports paint him as a player with the mentality and confidence of a successful QB at the NFL level, but not necessarily the physical tools to match his intangibles.
Here’s a snippet from Grier’s NFL.com profile:
He is a confident leader who would much rather press for the big throw than play it safe underneath. His lack of plus arm talent and release quickness might not match his gunslinger mentality against an NFL secondary. Grier will have to win from the pocket, which means working the middle of the field with better anticipation and getting rid of the ball much sooner.
It’s important to note that pre-draft visits aren’t necessarily a harbinger of who the Patriots actually draft. They hosted QB Lamar Jackson last season, but passed on two separate chances to draft him in the first round. Jackson ended up with the Ravens and projects as their starting QB in 2019.
However, if the Patriots end up drafting one of the QBs they brought to Foxborough – especially if it’s Jones – there’s a good chance they’ve pegged him as the eventual successor to Tom Brady. And they need to find that guy at some point, if not this month.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
