Senior Bowl Week Notes, New Coach Has Local Ties: Patch Patriots Roundup

FOXBOROUGH, MA — New England Patriots fans are likely gnawing their nails and instituting anti-anxiety strategies ahead of next Sunday's Super Bowl, when the Kansas City Chiefs will try to put a stamp on their claim to the greatest dynasty of the modern era.

Those same fans can rest assured that the new Patriots coaching staff isn't doing the same thing.

The 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, was this week, and the most important Patriots decision-makers made the trip down south to watch prospects ahead of the upcoming draft. With the fourth pick, the Patriots probably won't need to choose from one of the players who attended, but its the perfect place to scout for depth picks, especially those who could help at positions of need.

The Senior Bowl doesn't just bring out NFL team brass and coaching staffs, but it also attracts media members and beat reporters who will have their eyes and ears open for who teams were impressed with.

That's no exception for New England as, over the past few days, multiple reports have come out about athletes who impressed, and those who should be on the Patriots' radar.

Specifically, with support quarterback Drake Maye seemingly the biggest priority of the offseason, many have leaned heavily into the offensive line and wide receiver performances.

At receiver, many were impressed with Miami's Xavier Restrepo and Iowa State's Jayden Higgins. Restrepo projects as a slot receiver, so his skill set would be redundant to Demario Douglas, though it's never really seemed like the team has thought "Pop" was irreplaceable. Higgins is a different type of wideout, standing at 6'4" and weighing in north of 215 pounds, allowing him to play a more outside role while still having route running ability.

However, neither of these options is likely to fill the number one receiver role that the team needs, though they may not have to if New England uses its top pick at the position.

As for offensive tackle — and receiver, too — now is a good time to mention that New England has nearly $125 million in projected cap space heading into the offseason, which does give them some runway in quickly upgrading along the offensive line.

For example, look no further than the aforementioned Kansas City Chiefs and right guard Trey Smith, who is due for a new — likely massive — contract that the team may not be able to afford. Say Smith breaks the bank for the position and makes around $25 million annually on his new deal, that still leaves the Patriots with $100 million for additional upgrades and a Pro Bowl tone-setter along the offensive line.

With Mike Owenu signed to a big extension, that hypothetically makes for two positions filled, which brings us to the upcoming draft class.

In Mobile, Evan Lazar reports that the attending offensive tackles didn't really blow anyone away, with Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. and Aireontae Ersery of Minnesota performing up to what scouts believe is their standard. The two have gotten some back-half of the first-round buzz, but neither is a lock to be an immediate starter.

A name to watch on the interior offensive line is Grey Zabel, of North Dakota State, who is the near-unanimous choice for stock riser coming out of Senior Bowl practices.

Patriots Issue Statement On D.C. Plane Crash

New England had a tragic connection to this week's plane crash in Washington D.C., as multiple people affiliated with the The Skating Club of Boston were on the flight.

"Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy," Doug Zeghibe, executive director of The Skating Club of Boston, said. "Skating is a tight-knight community where parents and kids come together six or seven days a week to train or work together."

Officials said all passengers and crew aboard the American Airlines flight are presumed dead, bringing the suspected body count to 67.

The Patriots issued a statement about the crash, sharing their condolences and support with the Boston skating club.

New QB Coach Has Local Connection

Ashton Grant will be the new quarterback coach for the Patriots, working closely alongside Josh McDaniels to insure the continued development of Drake Maye.

Grant has a history in New England, as he was a standout at Assumption University.

Grant, a longtime assistant coach in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, has his name in the record books at Assumption. He holds the marks for most receiving yards and touchdown receptions in school history at 3,204 and 36, and he has the most touchdown receptions in a single season at 13 in 2016.

Initially from Manchester, CT, Grant majored in criminology and spent time as an intern at the Worcester Trial Court.

His first assistant coaching job was at Holy Cross where he worked in quality control. Grant then spent almost five years with the Cleveland Browns.