MORSE: NFL Draft - East West Shrine Game Preview

I have been lax in my reporting for the upcoming College All-Star games. The Hula Bowl has already occurred, the East West Shrine game is on Tuesday and the Senior Bowl is on Saturday of this week. I will blame it on the Patriots Cinderella playoff run to Super Bowl LX.

Hula Bowl – Was played earlier this month. The Patriots were linked to two players and reportedly had interviews with them. Linebacker Shad Banks played for University of Texas San Antonio and the 6’1” 230-pound Linebacker ran a 4.45 40-yard dash. He also showed up on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List at #77. This list is for players that have freakish workout numbers.

Cornerback Jaden Ross from Texas State is a tall 6’3”, 190-pound Cornerback. He is described as a bump and run CB. However, his speed is a question with an estimated 4.58 40-yard dash.

East West Shrine Practices

When a player gets mentioned by multiple sources you need to pay attention. Florida State DT Darrell Jackson was the standout of Day 1. The 6’5” 337-pound DT runs and estimated 5.05 40. No one could stop him one -on-one. The Patriots don’t need a DT, but do you draft the best player available despite positional needs? I have seen Jackson going as high as the 3rd round.

The star of the week has been Iowa slot/returner Kaden Wetjen who couldn’t be guarded during one-on-ones and reminds me of another former Hawkeyes return extraordinaire Tim Dwight. When Antonio Gibson went down with his knee injury, the Patriots Kickoff returns have been anemic.

Standouts from East West Day 1 practice from Alex Kaston:

CB Avery Smith Toledo

S Cole Wisniewski Texas Tech

TE Eli Raridon Notre Dame

IOL Jager Burton Kentucky

Punter Jack Stonehouse Syracuse

CB Devon Marshall NC State (89.3 PFF Grade)

Smith and Marshall have been mentioned by numerous scouts watching these practices.

Other players that the Patriots should be interested in:

WR/KR Kaden Wetjen Iowa (top returner in the draft) 5’9”, 195. 4.42 40. I suspect he will have a sub 7, 3-cone drill.

LB Tourean York Texas A&M 5’10” 227-pound, 4.58e 40

TE Lake McRee USC 6’5”. 24-pound, 4.65e

DT Jackie Marshall Baylor 6’2” 300-pounds, 4.97e 40

QB Cade Klubnik 6’2”. 210-pounds 4.65e. He is too short for my taste.

C Pat Coogan Indiana 6’5”, 310-pound 5.2e. I have Coogan as a Patriots Draft Pick. I like his position versatility being able to play both Guard and Center. The National Champion was the Offense Player of the Game in the Rose Bowl National Semifinal domination of Alabama.

Edge Keyshawn James-Newby New Mexico 6’3” 240-pounds, 4.72e 40

OL Caden Barnett Wyoming 6’4” 316 5.24e

TE Jack Endries Texas 6’4” 236, 4.68e. 125 Rec, 1376 Yards, 7 TDs in 3 seasons.

RB Demond Claiborne Wake Forest 5’10”, 195-pound 4.42e

OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams Texas A&M 6’5”, 315-pounds, 5.3e

OT Aamil Wagner Notre Dame – 6’6”, 296-Pounds, 5.15e – he played Right Tackle for ND but has been working out at both Left and Right Tackle.

LB Eric Gentry is a unique player. He stands 6’6″ but weighs just 221-pounds. Reports that he has made an impression in the practices

LB Wesley Bissainthe Miami – 6’1″, 230pounds 4.68e

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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