Patriots top draft prospect not expected to throw at NFL Combine
Ahead of the 2024 NFL Combine, two of the top draft prospects have announced that they will attend but will not participate in the core drills. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that USC quarterback Caleb Williams and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels are set to take part in interviews and meetings, but not in the throwing drills. Instead, […]
Ahead of the 2024 NFL Combine, two of the top draft prospects have announced that they will attend but will not participate in the core drills.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that USC quarterback Caleb Williams and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels are set to take part in interviews and meetings, but not in the throwing drills.
Instead, they will throw at their pro day's with USC's set for March 20 and LSU's on March 27.
The Patriots aren't expected to land Williams, who is set to be the first overall pick this year. The Chicago Bears currently hold that pick, so unless they shockingly decide to trade it away, Williams is most likely headed there.
That leaves Daniels and UNC's Drake Maye as the other two top quarterback prospects. And in many of the mock drafts, Daniels is headed to New England.
They certainly need a quarterback so that's not a bad pick for the Patriots.
Daniels has a skillet set that New England is not used to. Going from Tom Brady to Mac Jones, the team has relied on strong pocket passers. But Daniels has the arm strength while also being able to get out of the pocket and scramble for yards.
During his final season at LSU, Daniels finished with 236 completions for 3,812 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns. On the rushing side, he had 135 carries for 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Alex Van Pelt has experience working with a mobile quarterback, having been with the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson prior to coming to New England.
So having Van Pelt and Daniels working together could be the recipe for success that the Patriots need.
But it seems the team will have to wait until his pro day to see him in action.
Picking the best Round 1 draft target for the Patriots after the 2024 NFL Combine
The decision should be clear.
