2016 Senior Bowl: 6 Prospects we’d love to see on Patriots

2016 Senior Bowl: 6 Prospects we’d love to see on Patriots

We’re coming up on 48 hours until kickoff in the 2016 Senior Bowl. The New England Patriots are still licking their wounds from their loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, but the 2015 season is quickly disappearing in the rear view mirror.

10 Long-term positives from Patriots’ 2015 season

Bill Belichick has already moved on.

With that in mind, we’re going to follow Belichick’s lead by starting to scout this year’s draft prospects. Here are six 2016 Senior Bowl prospects that we would love to see on the Patriots, even if some players are more far-fetched than others since the Pats don’t have a first round pick.

Next: 6. DE Shawn Oakman

6. Shawn Oakman – DE, Baylor

We start with a freak of nature, Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman. He’s been listed as tall as 6-foot-9 and weighs in at around 270 pounds. Oakman possesses a variety of pass rushing moves, often catching his blocker off guard with a surprisingly strong bull rush.

4 Frustrations from AFC Championship loss

Just imagine Oakman in New England. He would certainly be an intriguing option as the No. 4 defensive end after Chandler Jones, Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich. Considering the sheer number of pass rushing threats the Patriots have accumulated in recent years, Oakman would have opportunities in favorable matchups.

It’s too early to tell where Oakman will fall, but the Patriots may be tempted to nab him with their first pick of the draft (which isn’t in the first round due to Deflategate).

Next: 5. OT Joe Haeg

5. Joe Haeg – OT, North Dakota State

Earlier this week, our friends over at NFL Mocks (a gem in the FanSided network) broke down Haeg. Here’s an excerpt from Sayre Bedinger’s analysis:

"Left tackle Joe Haeg, a consensus All-American and Senior Bowl participant, is going to be competing for a starting job in the NFL as soon as 2016 if he can prove he can hold up against the power and strength of NFL pass rushers."

The Patriot Way: Patriots news, 1/28

Bedinger concluded with the following:

"I think he’s a solid top 100 player if you need a left tackle to develop. He has starter qualities."

At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, it makes sense that there have been whispers of Haeg around New England. The Patriots need an upgrade over Marcus Cannon and Cameron Fleming at tackle behind Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer. Because that is such a dire need, there are two other tackles listed in this article.

Next: 4. TE Bryce Williams

4. Bryce Williams – TE, East Carolina

The Scott Chandler experiment didn’t really pan out. Although Chandler was a twin tower to Rob Gronkowski at 6-foot-7, he lacked the athleticism to be much of a threat in the passing game. He caught just four passes from December on, fizzling out after a decent first half of the season.

How did Patriots react to AFC Championship loss?

There is such a golden opportunity in an offense that features one of the best tight ends in NFL history for another tight end to play second fiddle and have success. Look for the Patriots to ponder a few tight end prospects this year; a strong performance in the 2016 Senior Bowl could put Williams on the Patriots’ short list.

The East Carolina product must prove that he can hold his own blocking against tough pass rushers, but his range and perimeter play makes him a very tempting pick.

Next: 3. OT Kyle Murphy

3. Kyle Murphy – OT, Stanford

Murphy is worthy of consideration as the solution for the Patriots’ depth issues at tackle because he hails from a strong offensive line education at Stanford. The Pats have shown interest in the Stanford tackle pipeline recently, drafting Fleming from the school two years ago.

Here’s analysis of Murphy’s strenghts, put together by Eric Robinson over at NFL Mocks.

"A solid, well-managed 300 lbs….Not overly athletic but more athleticism than a number of linemen…Usually the first or second off the snap and gets hands on defenders first…..Good arm length, which prevents defensive linemen from crash into his chest….Solid run blocker which is evident in a run heavy Stanford offense….Solid football IQ."

Top 15 moments from Patriots’ 2015 regular season

Robinson goes on to point out Murphy’s below average footwork, concluding with the following statement:

"Murphy is more of a fit for an offense similar to Stanford that is run heavy. If he can improve his foot work and get a little more power in his base, I can see him being versatile and able to play left and right tackle. If he can’t, right tackle is in his future."

As long as Tom Brady is quarterback, the Patriots aren’t going to be a run-dominant offense by any means, so that bodes well for Murphy.

Next: 2. CB Deiondre’ Hall

2. Deiondre’ Hall – CB, Northern Iowa

Hall was one of the most impressive players on the first day of 2016 Senior Bowl practice this week. Standing between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-2, Hall has the ability to contend for balls in the air and boasts impressive reach at the line of scrimmage.

Here’s what Hall said about his game to the media this week:

"My length is a huge part of my game. At Northern Iowa we played a lot of press man, so that transition to the NFL … I wouldn’t be surprised if I am taken somewhere to play press man. I use my length. That’s one of my main strengths. At the point of attack, being able to be two to three yards away from a receiver and keep my hands on him is huge."

Hall has a knack for the big play, as evidenced by his six picks (two of which were returned for touchdowns) in just 11 games this season. Over the course of his four seasons, Hall accumulated 13 interceptions and four pick-sixes.

10 Most valuable Patriots from 2015 regular season

You can never have enough good cornerbacks in this league. The Patriots need an answer at the No. 3 spot, where they could deposit Logan Ryan if Hall panned out as a starter on the outside.

Hall will probably go in the second-third round range, so the Patriots might get a crack at him.

Next: 1. TE Jerell Adams

1. Jerell Adams – TE, South Carolina

Adams should be on the Patriots’ radar in the 2016 Senior Bowl for the same reasons as the tight end we talked about earlier, Williams. The added value Adams brings to the table is versatility, which as we all know, Belichick looks for in every player he drafts regardless of their position.

Tom Brady writes handwritten letter to fans

Adams was the Gamecocks’ second-leading receiver in receptions, yards and touchdowns behind Pharoh Cooper. He has excellent athleticism, and his height at 6-foot-6 matches that of Gronk. Who knows, maybe Adams would be a good dancer partner for No. 87 in two-tight end sets.

One of the knocks on Adams is his slim stature, which could pose problems blocking linebackers in the NFL. But he’s been doing well in that arena this week in 2016 Senior Bowl practice

When he gets the ball in open space, Adams regularly breaks tackles. He is a very enticing prospect for the Patriots at a position that has no sure returner besides Gronk.

Next: 10 Long-term positives from Patriots’ 2015 season

The 2016 Senior Bowl will take place in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday afternoon.