Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske (DL07) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The on-field workout portion of the 2024 NFL Combine kicked off on Thursday afternoon. On the first of four days of workouts, it was defensive linemen and linebackers on the field.
While many New England Patriots fans (at least those who follow the Combine) are probably anticipating the offensive workouts this weekend, the front seven does project as a need – albeit a secondary need – for the team this offseason. With a number of defensive tackles and edge rushers either pending free agents or on expiring contracts, adding depth up front defensively should be on the Patriots’ to-do list, even if it’s not at the top.
READ MORE:
—Patriots meet with top receiver at NFL Combine
—More quarterback meetings for the Patriots
—Jerod Mayo addresses perceived ‘shots’ at Bill Belichick
On the interior, only Keion White and Sam Roberts are signed beyond 2024. That leaves key starters like Christian Barmore, Deatrich Wise, and Davon Godchaux as entering a contract year. On the edge, Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings are pending free agents while Matthew Judon is entering a contract year.
Keeping those needs in mind, which players made a strong case during their Combine workout on Thursday? We’ll mainly focus on players projected to go where the Patriots would be targeting defense, outside of the top 50. For instance we’ll skip over detailing players like Chop Robinson of Penn State, Jared Verse of Florida State, or Payton Wilson of North Carolina who performed well but as projected top-50 picks realistically won’t be in the Patriots’ plans given their positions.
DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: Braden Fiske #DL07 of Florida State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Fiske may end up going a bit high for the Patriots – he’s currently projected as a mid-Day 2 pick – but he was so dominant it would feel wrong to not include him. Not only did Fiske post the best numbers among all defensive tackles in the 40 (4.78 seconds), vertical (33.5″), and broad jump (9’9″) at 6-foot-4, 292 pounds, but also was excellent in the on-field drills. That performance, after a strong Senior Bowl, should keep Fiske’s stock skyrocketing.
DT DeWayne Carter, Duke
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke defensive lineman Dewayne Carter (DL01) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
At 6-foot-2, 303 pounds, Carter excelled at the explosive testing drills, with a 32-inch vertical (third among all DTs) and a 1.72-second 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash (9th among DTs). Given the Patriots’ increased usage of explosive, athletic defensive tackles he’s a player who could realistically be on their radar on Day 3.
DE Mo Kamara, Colorado State
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado State defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara (DL40) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kamara ran both the second-best 40 of any defensive lineman (4.57 seconds), behind only Chop Robinson. That also included the second-best 10-yard split (1.58 seconds). In the on-field drills Kamara showed good burst as well. Projected to go early on Day 3, he’s a more realistic option for the Patriots especially if they lose Josh Uche to free agency. While listed as a defensive end by the NFL, Kamara would likely move to outside linebacker in the Patriots’ defense at 6-foot-1, 248 pounds.
DE Myles Cole, Texas Tech
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman Myles Cole (DL31) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
More of a true defensive end at 6-foot-6, 278 pounds, Cole didn’t record a top five number in any individual drill, but his overall collective testing was excellent. His relative athletic score (RAS) came out to 9.89 out of 10, among the best players at the position. Continuing his solid overall day, Cole shined in the on-field drills. He’s a projected Day 3 pick.
EDGE Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Christian defensive lineman Jalyx Hunt (DL34) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Hunt is as much of a project player as there is in this draft. He spent his first two seasons qat Cornell, where he played in 17 games making one start at safety for the Big Red. He then transferred to Houston Christian and added mass (he checked in at the Combine at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds) and made the move to the edge where he played the last two years.
The technical part of Hunt’s game is still a work in progress so he’ll have to get by on athleticism early on. In that regard it’s same to assume he showed teams what they wanted to see from him in workouts with a 4.64 40 (sixths among edge rushers) including a 1.60 10-yard split (third), a 37.5-inch vertical (third), and position-leading 10-foot-8-inch broad jump.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: Edefuan Ulofoshio #LB27 of Washington participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Ulofoshio didn’t exactly look unathletic during the regular season, but his testing numbers easily exceeded expectations. He paced all linebackers in both the vertical (39.5″) and broad jumps (10’8″), while running the sixth-fastest 40 (4.56 seconds) with the fifth-fastest 10-yard split (1.59 seconds). Projected to go on Day 3, he could add some depth as a three-down off-ball linebacker in New England.
LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace (LB28) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Wallace had the second-best vertical (37.5″) and fourth-best 40 (4.51 seconds) among all linebackers. He also was one of the more impressive players during the individual drills. He’s projected to on Day 3, with raw athleticism as a carrying trait. In addition to providing depth at linebacker he was a successful special teams player for the Wildcats.
