Patriots begin pro day circuit watching dual-position player
Purdue Boilermakers running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (3) rushes the ball during the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 44-19. (Alex Martin/Journal and Courier/USA TODAY Network)
With the NFL Combine in the books, the pro day circuit began this week. Pro days are Combine-like workouts schools on campus for NFL evaluators leading up to the draft.
On Thursday there was only one pro day on the schedule – Purdue. The Patriots were in attendance at the workout, with Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reporting the team sent running backs coach Taylor Embree.
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Embree being the Patriots’ representative at Purdue makes sense given the lone projected draft pick from the Boilers is running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., who was among the better performers at the Combine. At the pro day, Tracy ran a 4.48-second 40 with a 4.06-second shuttle and 6.81-second 3-cone at 5-foot-11, 209 pounds.
Tracy is an interesting prospect in that he just started playing running back last year. Before that he spent four years as a wide receiver – the first two at Iowa before transferring to Purdue prior to the 2022 season.
In his first season as a full-time running back, Tracy carried the ball 113 times for 716 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 132 yards. He also returned kicks for the Boilermakers, including a kick return touchdown last season.
If the Patriots want to get another true passing-down back back on the roster, Tracy would be among the targets in this year’s draft. He’s currently projected to be a Day 3 pick.
The pro day circuit continues next week. Notable workouts next week include Oklahoma, Oregon and Georgia.
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All Patriots draft picks set with release of compensation picks (Updated)
3rd overall
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays the text “ON THE CLOCK” for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
— 1966: OT Karl Singer, Purdue
The Patriots have never picked third overall since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Their lone pick in this slot came in the 1966 AFL Draft when they took singer, who played 39 games over three years. Pro Football Reference also lists running back Tommy Mason as the third overall pick by the Patriots in 1961, but other outlets list his selection as second overall.
34th overall
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots reacts during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
— 1974: LB Steve Nelson, North Dakota St.
— 2009: S Patrick Chung, OregonThe Patriots have done O.K. for themselves at 34th overall. Nelson played 14 years in New England and has his No. 57 retired by the team. Chung, who was drafted with the pick the Patriots acquired after trading away Matt Cassell and Mike Vrabel, was a cornerstone member of the second half of the Dynasty. Both are all-time great Patriots defensive players.
Given the team’s needs this year though, assuming they keep the pick, look for an offensive player to be added to this list. Then the question is, can he make the same kind of impact as Nelson or Chung?
68th overall
New England Patriots guard Len St. Jean (60) in action against the New York Jets at Shea Stadium. Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
— 1968: OL/DL Len St. Jean, Northern Michigan
68th overall is another slot the Patriots haven’t picked in since the AFL Draft. Their one selection is a strong one though, as St. Jean played 140 games in 10 years for the Patriots as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He was a member of the Patriots’ All-1960s team.
103rd overall
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: A view of New England Patriots helmets on the bench prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
— 1963: FB Ralph Ferrisi, Southern Connecticut State
— 1965: QB Charlie Green, WittenbergA couple of more selections from the AFL Draft era. Neither player ended up playing for the Patriots, so it shouldn’t be hard for them to top their previous 103rd picks this year (assuming they keep the pick).
137th overall
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
— 1965: E David Lee, Louisiana Tech
— 1986: OT Greg Robinson, Sacramento State
— 2022: QB Bailey Zappe, Western KentuckyThe Patriots are back in the 137th overall draft slot for the second time in three years. In 2022 though they acquired the pick by trading down and then selected Zappe, who has gone on to start games for them the last two years. The Patriots are expected to take another quarterback in this year’s class – could that pick come at 137 once again?
180th overall
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: The New England Patriots logo is seen on a video board during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
— 1964: OT Dave Humenik, Notre Dame
— 1967: RB Bobby Leo, Harvard
— 1980: IOL Tom Kearns, Kentucky
— 1999: DB Marcus Washington, Colorado
— 2001: TE Arther Love, South Carolina State
— 2007: LB Justin Rogers, SMUThese six players went on to play a combined 3 games for the Patriots – all three by Leo. Rogers would have a three-year career as a backup linebacker in Dallas.
193rd overall
The New England Patriots logo is seen on a video board during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
— None
In all these years, the Patriots have never selected 193rd overall. They did draft 192nd last year, and took punter Bryce Baringer
231st overall
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The podium with draft logo at the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
— 1963: G Dick Kelly, Georgia
The Patriots’ only 231st overall pick never played for the team. He was traded in the 29th (!) round of the AFL Draft.
