Scott Zolak: For now, I’m back on the Marvin Harrison Jr. train
On Thursday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Scott Zolak declared he’s back on the Marvin Harrison Jr. train for now.
I might flip flop again…
Marc Bertrand: You originally had a take that Marvin Harrison Jr at three was the guy. You then backed off of that and now you tell us you’re back onto that.
Scott Zolak: Yeah, I’m getting back onto it. After what has transpired since the the NFL combine, the analyzation of these quarterbacks. We obviously need a quarterback, we know that, I think that is need number one. I always love the the plug and play player at three, best player on the board and that’s Marvin Harrison. And that’s because I think he’s a game breaker and there’s no discussion of sitting him and grooming him and making sure he’ll be ready to go in a year or two off our conversation yesterday from the (Dan) Orlovsky stuff.
I blame Phil Perry for this. I didn’t know a lot about Jayden Daniels back in November and December. Phil kept sitting over here in McKone’s seat saying just just go down the YouTube. Go down that rabbit hole of Jayden Daniels and watch him play. When our season was done, I started to do a lot of that. Then you start watching and you start falling in love with the player and I like him better than Caleb Williams. I do, I think he’s got the whole package on and off the field. But the problem is, I don’t think he’s going to be there for you at three.
Then what’s starting to arise here and some of the commentary and we’ll get to what Chris Simms thinks about the quarterback class. Another guy that played the position that breaks it down, that looks deep into it and watches guys on films like Orlovsky does. It doesn’t sound like they’re head over heels for Drake Maye and I don’t want to have to be talked into it. Something isn’t right, but we do like him, so we take him to take him. We got to take him. I don’t want to do that, I want it with conviction. I want you to fall in love with the player. Give me 8 things that you like about him. He’s going to be our guy for the future and he’s our guy day one. When you’re the number three overall pick, you’re the guy. We’re not tap dancing around this thing anymore. You’re a team that is desperate.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 23: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 23, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Patriots Free Agency Tracker: The latest news & rumors in New England
Patriots Sign Right Tackle
As first reported by Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are signing former Steelers right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. The 26-year-old started 59 of 77 games for Pittsburgh from 2018-23.
According to Field Yates, Okorafor’s contract is for one year and a base value of $4 million with a chance to be worth up to $8.25 million. The move feels like an insurance signing in the event that the Pats end up losing Mike Onwenu in free agency.
Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Onwenu to become free agent
The Patriots used up their only tag on safety Kyle Dugger, who got the transition tag. That means they couldn’t use any tag on offensive lineman Mike Onwenu. That didn’t necessarily mean Onwenu couldn’t still sign an extension with the Patriots, but according to Ian Rapoport, Onwenu is expected to become an unrestricted free agent.
New England now runs the risk of losing its starting right tackle to free agency. With left tackle Trent Brown also likely gone, the Patriots have a lot of work to do at that position.
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) blocks against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Patriots place transition tag on Kyle Dugger
The Patriots have applied the transition tag – not the franchise tag – to safety Kyle Dugger, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Per the report, Dugger’s transition tag costs $13.81 million. Fowler believes the Patriots could be buying time to work toward a long-term deal with the 27-year-old safety.
The transition tag gives the Patriots the right to match any offer Dugger would receive on the open market, similar to a restricted free agent getting an offer sheet. However, the big difference is if they lose Dugger to another team, they won’t receive any compensation.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Kyle Dugger #23 of the New England Patriots runs back an interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Patriots not close with Henry, Bourne
It doesn’t sound good for the Patriots’ chances to re-sign either wide receiver Kendrick Bourne or tight end Hunter Henry. According to a report by MassLive from the combine, they’re “not seeing eye-to-eye” with Bourne on a contract, and they’re “far apart on an extension” with Henry.
The report did also state that the Patriots “would like to bring Henry back.” But it sounds like it’s going to take a real, competitive offer to get that done.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Kendrick Bourne #84 after a touchdown during the first half in the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
