The 2024 NFL Draft simply received quite a bit extra fascinating, particularly in case you’re a fan of the New England Patriots.
In an unprecedented transfer, the NFL knowledgeable its groups Wednesday that each one school juniors who declare for the draft now can be eligible to play in collegiate all-star video games, in line with Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. Which means the participant swimming pools for the Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl and HBCU Legacy Bowl will all be increasing for the primary time. In 2023, there have been 69 juniors who entered the draft however couldn’t play in an all-star occasion. This yr they’ll.
Why does that profit the Patriots, you ask?
Properly, they’re not good, that means they’ll have a possibility to collect extra data on prospects as they put together for what’s going to probably be their highest choice in additional than 20 years. Which means a higher take a look at Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and others.
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The Patriots have grow to be fairly aware of these collegiate all-star occasions, as that they had representatives coach in each the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl final offseason.
New England extensive receivers coach Troy Brown served as the top coach for the “West” crew on the Shrine Bowl, whereas cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino and safeties coach Brian Belichick collectively led the protection and assistant receivers coach Ross Douglas served as offensive coordinator. Patriots defensive position coach DeMarcus Covington, however, served as defensive coordinator on the Senior Bowl.
The Patriots have both drafted, signed or traded for a complete of twenty-two gamers who participated in wither the Shrine or Senior Bowl, together with Mac Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Cole Unusual, Demario Douglas, Bailey Zappe, Keion White, Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer.
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It stays to be seen whether or not or not a few of the high prospects really select to take part in these occasions, however up to now we’ve seen highly-touted seniors not less than attend them to allow them to meet with groups whereas deciding to not play within the video games. Mac Jones, as an example, didn’t play within the 2021 Senior Bowl however practiced all week.
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There’s a down aspect, nonetheless, as fringe senior prospects will probably be bumped from consideration with the expanded pool. Which means prospects like Unusual, Douglas and Kyle Dugger won’t get an opportunity shifting ahead.
New England should hold that in thoughts, although the elevated data on gamers it’ll be relying on to alter the trajectory of the franchise is a fairly even commerce off.