Patriots Pro Day process continues in Houston on Friday

The second to last week of Pro Day workouts came to an end on Friday. It's been a busy week for the Patriots, who had representatives spotted at various workouts throughout the country.

On Friday, Southwest area scout Alex Brooks was at the University of Houston according to a list shared by Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson. There were 13 players on the field for the Cougars' workout, including two projected top-100 picks.

Hall was an edge setter for the Cougars, but projects to be able to play all across the defensive line in the NFL. At 6-foot-6, 283 pounds he can help hold up the edge against smaller, athletic tackles, then rotate inside on passing downs as an interior pass rusher.

The Patriots traditionally favor versatile defensive lineman, and could use Hall in a number of ways. He's expected to go on Day 2, when the Patriots have taken edge players in each of the last three drafts (Ronnie Perkins, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Chase Winovich).

Jones spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Troy before transferring to Houston for the 2020 season. A fast, agile slot corner with some safety ability, Jones could be a fit in the Patriots' "positionless" secondary. He had five interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 13 games for the Cougars last year. Size is his biggest issue, he measured in at 5-foot-8, 174 pounds at the Combine.

However, his play on defense is only part of Jones' overall evaluation. He's been one of the best kick and punt returners in the nation since he was a freshman with the Trojans. In four seasons, he returned six kickoffs and three punts for touchdowns. In 2021 alone he had two touchdowns each on kick and punt returns, while averaging 34 yards per kick return. He was named a consensus All-American kick returner after the season.

Williams played boundary corner, slot corner, and safety four the Cougars. He plays physically in coverage, and is a willing tackler in the running game. This past season, he recorded 63 tackles with eight pass breakups and a pick.

In the NFL Williams may not have the athleticism to play full-time on the outside, but would be best suited for a multi-position role in the secondary. That's been a theme for the Patriots this offseason, so he's someone to keep an eye on. He's currently projected as a late Day 3 pick or priority UDFA.

The Cougars had 10 other players take part in the Pro Day, all projected UDFAs. The top player from that group is outside linebacker David Anenih. Anenih is a three year starter and another explosive edge rusher who played opposite Hall for the Cougars. Last season he had 10 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 14 games. He's more of a speed rusher, and would likely be a pass rush specialist and special teams contributor in the NFL.

Rounding out the players working out were running backs Chandler Smith and Mulbah Car, wide receivers Jaylen Erwin and Cole McGowan, tight end Seth Green, offensive lineman Kody Russey, defensive lineman Jake Herslow, linebacker Deontay Anderson, and kicker Dalton Witherspoon.

Meanwhile across town, the Patriots had an unidentified scout at Rice according to Ari Alexander of KPRC Houston. The Owls had five players take part in the workout.

All five players from that Pro Day are projected UDFAs. The standout of the group is Jordan Myers. Described by his own coaches as a "swiss army knife," Myers was listed as a wide receiver and tight end at different points throughout his career but was mainly used as a ball carrier. In 2021, he ran the ball 92 times in 11 games for 338 yards and eight touchdowns, adding another 27 catches for 278 yards and another score. After the season, he was named Rice's Offensive Player of the Year. Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren raved about his well-rounded game and high football IQ on a number of occasions during the season.

The other players taking part in that Pro Day were quarterback Jake Constantine, offensive linemen Jovaun Woolford and Elijah Garcia, and safety Naeem Smith.

—Georgia
—Alabama
—Penn State
—Florida
—Maryland
—Boise State
—Tulsa
—Western Kentucky

With all of the changes to the Patriots' coaching staff, it's easy to forget there was a major change in the team's front office too. Former director of player personnel Dave Ziegler left to be the new general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, with Matt Groh taking his spot in New England.

Director of player personnel is a key role in the NFL corporates flow chart. The job is basically an assistant GM and covers everything from internal contracts to free agency and the draft.

Unlike Ziegler, who's background was mainly working at the pro personnel level, Groh comes from the scouting ranks. He was reportedly heavily involved in the Patriots' draft process last year, and there's no reason to think that will change in 2022.

In fact, Groh was out scouting himself this week as the Pro Day circuit began. According to Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson, Groh was in Oklahoma to watch workouts at Tulsa Thursday and Friday.

Although Tulsa doesn't have many players in the draft this year, those that did work out play positions of need for the Patriots. Will any of them catch Groh's attention and end up in Foxborough this spring?

Smith has all of the size the Patriots look for at tackle at 6-foot-5, 324 pounds and he plays the game with a nasty edge. He's still raw technically though and is seen as a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect. By showing positional versatility - either as a swing tackle or as a combo tackle/guard - he could increase his draft stock which projects to be a late Day 2 pick. If the Patriots are satisfied with their tackle situation for 2022 but want a long-term project player with upside, he could be a fit.

Paul is one of the more intriguing offensive line prospects on Day 3 of the draft. A Senior Bowl participant, he played both tackle and guard in college, and has the strong football IQ you'd expect from a player that moves around that much. A four-year starter, his high motor helped overshadow some of his more technical shortcomings, which will need to be fixed at the next level. Those who covered him at Tulsa also rave about him as a positive locker room presence and academic standout. Football isn't his only passion - he also produced an EP Roads under the stage name The Seventh.

A Iowa State transfer, Johnson had a breakout year for Tulsa in 2021 catching 82 passes for 1,087 yards and six touchdowns. That included an eight-catch, 148-yard performance against Ohio State. He didn't run the 40 at the Combine, but is expected to be one of the faster receivers in this class and wins mostly with his speed. Johnson is currently projected to be a priority UDFA.

Fuller transferred to Tulsa from Texas A&M in 2021 and played a starting role for the Golden Hurricane. In 13 games he intercepted three passes - including one against Ohio State - while deflecting nine more and forcing a fumble. A bigger corner at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, he also contributed in the running game and recorded4.5 tackles for a loss. He's currently projected to go undrafted.

Remember, this is just one Pro Day over the course of about a month-long stretch. There's still a ways to go, so we'll keep an eye out for where Groh or other Patriots' decision makers are spotted as things move ahead. Notable Pro Days next week include Georgia (Wednesday), Clemson (Thursday), and Michigan (Friday).

It's been a busy week for the Patriots, as college Pro Days wind down. They had staffers in Florida to begin the week, followed by a big trip to Alabama with a contingent highlighted by Bill Belichick and Matt Groh on Wednesday. While that was going on, assistant coach Ross Douglas continued his work with wide receivers at Boise State.

On Thursday, it was newly-named director of scouting Eliot Wolf in the spotlight at the day's most notable workout. According to Jim Nagy of the Senior Bowl, Wolf was one of the top executives spotted at Western Kentucky's Pro Day.

Despite not having any projected Day 1 or Day 2 picks, there were still some notable names working out in Bowling Green. That list is highlighted by a player that just broke a number of notable NCAA single-season records. Here's a quick rundown of who Wolf saw on Thursday...

Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky from FCS Houston Baptist before the 2021 season, and rewrote the FBS record books upon his arrival. He threw for 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns, surpassing the previous marks set by Joe Burrow in 2019.

A five-year starter between two schools, Zappe is one of the most experienced passers in this draft. Given how much he's seen, his instincts at this point help make up for some of his shortcomings with his arm.

Would the Patriots have any interest in Zappe? With Jarrett Stidham entering the final year of his deal, it's not unrealistic to think that they could be looking for a new long-term backup for Mac Jones, to join the QB room along with Brian Hoyer. While Zappe could fit the bill, he's currently viewed as the top option in the second tier of passers in this draft, and his draft range will be boosted by a weak overall quarterback class. The Patriots have reached for backups in the past (Jarrett Stidham in the 4th round in 2019, Jacoby Brissett in the 3rd in 2016, Ryan Mallett in the 3rd in 2011, Kevin O’Connell in the 3rd in 2008), but that feels less realistic than usual this year.

With that kind of quarterback production, there's bound to be some eye-popping wide receiver numbers too right? That's where Sterns comes in. He actually transferred with Zappe from HBU to WKU, and set new C-USA records for catches (150) and receiving yards (1,902) in a single season, while leading the conference in receiving touchdowns (17). Sterns finished the 2021 season eight catches and 158 yards away from setting new NCAA single-season records.

At 5-foot-9, 183 pounds, Sterns is primarily a slot receiver. He's an excellent route runner who works primarily in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He has very sure hands, both as a receiver and carrying the ball after the catch - he didn't fumble on 168 touches at Western Kentucky. While he's not a burner, Sterns has enough wiggle to do some damage with the ball in his hands, both as a receiver and punt returner.

While he doesn't pop physically, Sterns is a very technically-sound player. Currently projected to go outside of the top 200, he has all the makings of a late Day 3 Patriots draft pick or UDFA.

Western Kentucky's incredible production isn't limited to the offensive side of the ball - or players who transferred from Houston Baptist. Malone was a five-year player and four-year contributor for the Hilltoppers, winning C-USA Defensive Player of the Year twice, in 2019 and 2021. In 50 games over the last four seasons, Malone totaled 57.5 tackles for a loss including 31 sacks and forced eight fumbles.

Malone primarily played with his hand in the dirt in college, but at 6-foot-3, 243 pounds will likely need to transition to being a standup edge rusher at the next level. He'll likely be a passing down-specific player in the NFL right away, but does have room to grow his game. The Patriots have targeted similar players in recent years, including Ronnie Perkins last year. However, while Perkins was a top 100 pick, Malone is expected to go in the middle picks on Day 3.

Western Kentucky also had four other players take part in the Pro Day. All are projected UDFAs.

Three of those players are offensive linemen. That group includes guard Boe Wilson, who transferred to Western Kentucky after two years as a starter at Nebraska. WKU's two starting tackles, Mason Brooks and Cole Spencer are also in this class. They'll need to show they can also play at guard to stick on NFL rosters as versatile depth options.

Finally there's safety Antwon Kincade. Kincade started for the last three years, and piled up 100 tackles in 2021 as a box safety. His high motor and willingness to hit could see him get looks as a special teamer.

—Georgia
—Alabama
—Penn State
—Florida
—Boise State
—Tulsa