What to watch for as college football Pro Days begin this week

The NFL Draft process will kick into another gear this week, as college teams across the country begin holding their Pro Days. Without a combine this year, the Pro Days – a day where colleges have NFL coaches and scouts on campus to watch players workout – will be the highlight of in-person evaluations leading up to the draft.

Two or three schools a day will host scouts between now and early April, which will likely result in plenty of draft stock fluctuation in the coming months. Keeping things in a more immediate frame of mind, who are some players working out this week that Patriots fans should be aware of? Let’s take a look.

• March 9: OT Rashawn Slater (Northwestern)

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  Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn are both in the last year of their contracts, while 32-year-old Marcus Cannon should be considered year-to-year as well. There's a real chance Slater could be the best player on the board when the Patriots pick at 15, and he'd give them a long-term answer at tackle. (Current projection: Early-Mid 1st round)

• March 9: LB Paddy Fisher (Northwestern)

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  A four-year starter and team captain, Fisher has all the intangibles the Patriots look for in a linebacker. Mainly a run-stopper, he could have an early role as a rotational player on early downs, with room to grow into a three-down player in the future. (Current projection: Day 3 pick)

• March 9: C Quinn Meinerz (Wisconsin-Whitewater)

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  Coming out of Division-III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater, Meinerz wowed scouts with his compete level at the Senior Bowl. Whether David Andrews re-signs or not, the Patriots need a center, and Meinerz fits the mold they generally look for. (Current projection: 3rd-4th round)
• March 10: RB Rakeem Boyd (Arkansas)

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  You may recognize Rakeem Boyd's name from season three of Netflix's 'Last Chance U.' After dominating at Independence Community College, he transferred to Arkansas where he was a 1,000 yard rusher in 2019. With Sony Michel's contract almost up, the Patriots could view Boyd as a low-cost investment with a chance to be a potential replacement, given his powerful yet calculated running style. (Current projection: 7th round)

• March 10: QB Feleipe Franks (Arkansas)

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  Here's a rule of thumb for this offseason when it comes to the Patriots - anytime any quarterback does anything, it's noteworthy. Feleipe Franks was an average college quarterback with above-average athleticism, but he's throwing on the 10th, so we're making note of it here. (Current projection: UDFA)

• March 11: WR Amari Rodgers (Clemson)

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  Having played with an NFL-caliber quarterback in a complicated system in college, Amari Rodgers is going to me more NFL ready than most of the receivers in his tier of the draft. He projects as a slot guy at the next level, with the ability to make the most of manufactured touches such as jet sweeps, pop passes, and screens. If he hits his ceiling, he's a potential Julian Edelman replacement. (Current projection: 4th round)
• March 11: WR Cornell Powell (Clemson)

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  Cornell Powell is a big body receiver who knows how to win at the top of his routes, and is coming off a career year. If the Patriots want a second, lower investment shot at a N'Keal Harry-type, Powell could be the guy. (Current projection: Early Day 3)

• March 11: EDGE Joseph Ossai (Texas)

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  The Patriots could be very interested in Texas edge rusher Joseph Ossai. A raw talent with a ton of athleticism, he's a versatile, instinctual who is constantly around the football and has a knack for forcing turnovers. They like second level players they can mold specifically to their system, and Ossai fits that bill. (Current projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd round)

• March 11: S Caden Sterns (Texas)

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  Caden Sterns is a versatile safety who can impact the game in man coverage, split zone, or in a single-high center field role. The Patriots never filled Duron Harmon's role after trading him last year, so Sterns could step in next to Devin McCourty on the back end, with the goal of eventually developing into McCourty's replacement. (Current projection: 3rd-4th round)
• March 11: QB Sam Ehlinger (Texas)

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  Just like Feleipe Franks, Sam Ehlinger is on the Patriots' radar by default. He's a three year starter, and the Patriots are generally attracted to experience at the QB position in the draft, so expect to hear his name thrown around a bit. (Current projection: Late Day 3)

• March 12: WR Jonathan Adams Jr. (Arkansas St.)

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  Jonathan Adams Jr. had a breakout year as a senior, with a number of jaw-dropping catches (such as the one in the photo). With an impressive physical toolbox and body control, he's a menace on 50/50 balls. That's about all there is to his game right now, but he could be an interesting project pick in the later rounds. (Current projection: Late Day 3)

• March 12: QB Trey Lance (North Dakota St.)

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  Now we get to the real quarterback workout to watch this week. Trey Lance's Pro Day is as hyped as any individual player in recent years, given he only played one game in 2020 due to COVID canceling the3 majority of the FCS season. The biggest question of the day may not even be his performance, but how many/which teams are there to watch him throw? (Current projection: Top 10 pick)
• March 12: EDGE Ronnie Perkins (Oklahoma)

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  Ronnie Perkins is starting to build an impressive toolbox as an edge defender, but needs to be more disciplined and varied in his approach. His upside is tremendous, which should catch the attention of a team with a strong defensive coaching staff like the Patriots. (Current projection: Late 1st-2nd round)

• March 12: C Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma)

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  If the Patriots are set on moving on from David Andrews, Creed Humphrey could get a long look as a potential replacement. A three-year starter for one of the best offenses in college football, he enters the draft with an NFL-ready frame and technique. He's also left-handed, which is rare at the center position. Could Bill Belichick see an advantage there? (Current projection: 2nd round)

• March 12: CB Tre Brown (Oklahoma)

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  At 5-foot-10, 186 pounds, Tre Brown isn't the biggest corner, but you wouldn't know it watching him play. He's physical not only at the line of scrimmage, but when it comes to tackling as well. He'll get outsized at times, but he could find an NFL job as a sub corner. (Current projection: 6th round)