Patriots welcome surprise QB for visit ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

It’s probably safe to say the New England Patriots are set at quarterback for the foreseeable future.

With Mac Jones fresh off steering the team to the playoffs and leading all rookies in every major passing category in 2021, the Patriots are in good hands. With eight picks, including one in each of the first four rounds, New England is positioned to equip Jones with more talent to ensure he takes another leap in Year 2.

In no particular order, the Patriots’ first three picks will likely be used on a cornerback, offensive lineman and wide receiver. But what about the later rounds of the draft? Could they add more depth at safety or tight end?

Both are feasible, but what about a quarterback?

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Brown quarterback EJ Perry, who happens to hail from Massachusetts, is in town for a pre-draft visit.

The Patriots are hosting Brown QB EJ Perry for a pre-draft visit.

A Boston College transfer who grew up a Patriots fan, Perry is being hyped as a potential late-round draft pick after showing out at Brown the last two years. This past season, though, is what really catapulted Perry into the draft conversation.

In 2021, Perry completed 66.5% of his passes for 3,034 yards and 23 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. The former Bear added 402 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground, showing off his potential as a dual-threat quarterback.

As a result, Perry was named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year and a Third Team All-American. Since he graduated, his stock has ascended, as he was named the practice player of the week at the East-West Shrine Bowl and even took home Offensive MVP honors.

From there, Perry was invited to the Combine, where he finally got to show off his unmistakable athleticism.

On top of leading all QBs in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone drill, he finished second only to Desmond Ridder, a potential first-round pick, in the 40-yard dash. Perry also ranked second at the position in the vertical and broad jumps.

Even more eye-opening, though, was that Perry stayed behind and picked up trash left behind by other Combine participants.

That performance seemed to get a lot of team’s attention, as 26 NFL scouts attended his March 22 pro day in Worcester, Massachusetts. Not only did the Patriots have reps in attendance to study Perry, but team personnel coordinator Brian Smith ran the pro day, according to the Providence Journal.

The Patriots currently have Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham on the roster behind Jones, but Stidham’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, so the team could view Perry as a developmental project who could eventually be Jones’ backup.

In other words, keep an eye on Perry as a potential Day 3 pick for the Pats.

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