Two top Combine testers work out in front of Patriots staffer at Maryland Pro Day

After sending a large contingency to the Alabama Pro Day on Wednesday, the Patriots' staff has been spread out at a number of Pro Days to end the penultimate week of workouts. That includes personnel coordinator Brian Smith, who was in attendance at Maryland's Pro Day on Thursday according to NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry.

Maryland's draft class isn't a big one, with seven players from the team working out in College Park. Only two are expected to be drafted, but they were two of the most impressive testers at the Combine last month. Could either make their way to New England?

If the Patriots are going to lean into the whole 'positionless secondary' thing, then Cross would make a lot of sense and is expected to go towards the end of Day 2. He played a variety of roles for Maryland, lining up at both free safety and in the box for the Terrapins, as well as taking snaps at linebacker and slot corner. The coaching staff trusted him with a range of assignments from stopping the run to rushing the quarterback to covering large zones on the back end.

Cross is a willing, physical tackler in the run game, and has good ball skills in coverage. On top of that, he's an excellent athlete. Cross had the best 40 (4.34 seconds) of all safeties at the Combine, and finished top five in both the vertical (37") and broad (10'10") jumps.

Okonkwo was one of the players profiled in yesterday's tight end positional preview. At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds he projects as more of a move tight end who is a threat with the ball in his hands. He ran the fastest 40 (4.52 seconds) and had the second-highest vertical (35.5") of all the tight ends at the combine.

With Jakob Johnson now in Las Vegas, is now the time for the Patriots to add that H-back role to their offense? If so, Okonkwo could be a candidate for the role on Day 3 of the draft.

The Terrapins had five other players take part in the workout, all projected UDFAs. They are running back Tayon Fleet-Davis, defensive linemen Sam Okuayinonu and Lawtez Rogers, defensive back Jordan Mosley, and kicker Joseph Petrino.

Sometimes at Power Five Pro Days, prospects from smaller schools will join the workouts to gain exposure. That was the case on Thursday, with Division-II Ferris State quarterback Jared Bernhardt on the field as well. While Bernhardt isn't expected to be drafted and may not even end up in an NFL training camp, his background is one that would likely attract the Patriots' attention.

Before joining Ferris State as the Bulldogs' quarterback for their undefeated national championship season, Bernhardt had spent five years at Maryland - playing lacrosse. He didn't just play either, he was dominant. Maryland has traditionally been a lacrosse powerhouse, but he re-wrote the record books setting new schools records in just about every major career and single-season statistical category. In 2021 he was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award, which is given to the best player in the nation each season.

On top of all of that, Bernhardt also comes from a football family. His dad Jim was a long-time football coach, and worked for former Patriots assistant Bill O'Brien both at Penn State and with the Houston Texans.

Bernhardt worked out as a quarterback, receiver, and defensive back at the Pro Day. He told reporters after the workout he's open to playing any position on the field. His best way onto a roster would be through versatility, especially if he shows he can contribute on special teams.

—Georgia
—Alabama
—Penn State
—Florida
—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