Biggest draft night for Pats fans in 20 years. Not a fan of Maye, would rather see a Harrison/Penix combo than a Maye/WR miss with the first two picks. I am guessing they will trade back with Minnesota.
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Defensive back Mike Sainristil, who went to Michigan via Everett, worked out for NFL scouts at the combine.DARRON CUMMINGS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
There are several prospects with local ties who could hear their names called at this week’s NFL Draft. Here’s a look at 10 players with New England roots with a chance to reach the next level.
1. OL Zak Zinter, Michigan: Many believed this North Andover native was on a fast track to the first round before he suffered a broken tibia in November, but the 6-foot-6-inch, 309-pounder is still considered an NFL-quality starter at guard. An All-American who went to Buckingham Browne & Nichols , he started 42 games in his college career.
2. DB Mike Sainristil, Michigan: The 5-9, 182-pounder, who played at Everett High before winning a national championship with the Wolverines, could be the first local off the board. A smart, durable defensive back who also played receiver in college, he had six interceptions last season.
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Sainristil, who grew up a Patriots fan, would welcome a homecoming, or a reunion with Jim Harbaugh, the former Michigan coach now leading the Chargers.
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“To play for the Patriots would be awesome,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to play for their hometown team?
“If [Harbaugh] decides that he wants me back on his team, then it would be great to play for him again. But at the end of the day, whatever coach decides to give me an opportunity, I’m just looking to make the most of it.”
RELATED: National championship behind him, Mike Sainristil turns his focus to NFL predraft process
3. OL Christian Mahogany, Boston College: This 6-3, 314-pounder is a powerful presence along the interior. A Day 2 possibility, the New Jersey native and first-team All-ACC lineman has had visits with several teams, including New England and Houston.
Mahogany hopes to join a line of BC offensive linemen (such as Dan Koppen, Damien Woody, Anthony Castonzo, and Tom Nalen) to make the leap to the NFL.
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“Boston College, because of that lineage, those people, for me and hopefully those people after me, that’s why I went to BC,” Mahogany said.
4. OL Kyle Hergel, Boston College: Another strong and sturdy interior presence, the 6-3, 302-pounder from Canada was second-team All-ACC last year. He also spent time at the University of North Dakota and Texas State, and put the wraps on his college career with 55 straight starts at guard while practicing at center.
5. DB Elijah Jones, Boston College: Jones, who had five interceptions last season, made an impression at the combine with a 42½-inch vertical, best among cornerbacks. In addition, the 6-1½, 185-pounder posted a 4.44 40 time, 10th in his position group.
BC defensive back Elijah Jones was impressive at the combine.MICHAEL CONROY/ASSOCIATED PRESS
6. OL Christian Haynes, Connecticut: A 6-3, 317-pound guard, Haynes is projected by many to be a Day 2 option. He started 49 games for the Huskies and was a third-team All-American as a junior and senior.
7. DE Eric Watts, Connecticut: This 6-6, 274-pounder, who had seven sacks in 2022, likely projects as a pass-rush specialist, at least in the early stages of his NFL career. He was certainly impressive at the combine, landing in the top 10 among defensive ends in the three-cone, vertical, and broad jump.
8. WR Jalen Coker, Holy Cross: Coker has speed to burn; his 4.57 40 at the combine was faster than Florida State’s heralded receiver Keon Coleman. Toss in the fact that the 6-1, 208-pounder led FCS in touchdown catches last season with 15, and it should be enough to find him a spot somewhere on an NFL roster, either as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
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Holy Cross teammate C.J. Hanson, who started all 11 games last year at right guard, could be in the mix as a possible draft pick as well.
Holy Cross wide receiver Jalen Coker impressed at the combine and could hear his name called in the draft.CHARLIE RIEDEL/ASSOCIATED PRESS
9. RB Dylan Laube, New Hampshire: The 5-10, 206-pounder led FCS in all-purpose yards last season (209.5 yards per game), was No. 2 in touchdowns (18) and points per game (10.8), and third in kick-return average (31.1 yards). He had an excellent showing at the combine, one that included a top-five finish among running backs in the three-cone drill, which could quash any small-school bias against him.
A Westhampton, N.Y., native, he says he would welcome the chance to stay in New England and play for the Patriots.
“That would be awesome. To be honest, that’s been my home the past decade. So that would be pretty cool,” said Laube. “One of their scouts, Matt Evans, actually went to UNH. So we’ve always talked a bunch, and connected with him a bunch.”
10. DB Jarrett Martin, Rhode Island: This 6-3, 220-pounder out of Franklin has split time between linebacker and safety, but likely projects as a defensive back at the next level. He was one of several local prospects invited to a Pro Day at Gillette Stadium, a group that included Hergel and Coker.
10 players with New England connections who could be selected in this week’s NFL Draft
By Christopher Price Globe Staff,Updated April 22, 2024, 1:28 p.m.3
There are several prospects with local ties who could hear their names called at this week’s NFL Draft. Here’s a look at 10 players with New England roots with a chance to reach the next level.
1. OL Zak Zinter, Michigan: Many believed this North Andover native was on a fast track to the first round before he suffered a broken tibia in November, but the 6-foot-6-inch, 309-pounder is still considered an NFL-quality starter at guard. An All-American who went to Buckingham Browne & Nichols , he started 42 games in his college career.
2. DB Mike Sainristil, Michigan: The 5-9, 182-pounder, who played at Everett High before winning a national championship with the Wolverines, could be the first local off the board. A smart, durable defensive back who also played receiver in college, he had six interceptions last season.
Advertisement
Sainristil, who grew up a Patriots fan, would welcome a homecoming, or a reunion with Jim Harbaugh, the former Michigan coach now leading the Chargers.
Get Breaking Sports Alerts
Be the first to know the latest sports news as it happens, and get the Globe's most interesting reporting right to your inbox.
Enter Email
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“To play for the Patriots would be awesome,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to play for their hometown team?
“If [Harbaugh] decides that he wants me back on his team, then it would be great to play for him again. But at the end of the day, whatever coach decides to give me an opportunity, I’m just looking to make the most of it.”
RELATED: National championship behind him, Mike Sainristil turns his focus to NFL predraft process
3. OL Christian Mahogany, Boston College: This 6-3, 314-pounder is a powerful presence along the interior. A Day 2 possibility, the New Jersey native and first-team All-ACC lineman has had visits with several teams, including New England and Houston.
Mahogany hopes to join a line of BC offensive linemen (such as Dan Koppen, Damien Woody, Anthony Castonzo, and Tom Nalen) to make the leap to the NFL.
Advertisement
“Boston College, because of that lineage, those people, for me and hopefully those people after me, that’s why I went to BC,” Mahogany said.
4. OL Kyle Hergel, Boston College: Another strong and sturdy interior presence, the 6-3, 302-pounder from Canada was second-team All-ACC last year. He also spent time at the University of North Dakota and Texas State, and put the wraps on his college career with 55 straight starts at guard while practicing at center.
5. DB Elijah Jones, Boston College: Jones, who had five interceptions last season, made an impression at the combine with a 42½-inch vertical, best among cornerbacks. In addition, the 6-1½, 185-pounder posted a 4.44 40 time, 10th in his position group.
6. OL Christian Haynes, Connecticut: A 6-3, 317-pound guard, Haynes is projected by many to be a Day 2 option. He started 49 games for the Huskies and was a third-team All-American as a junior and senior.
7. DE Eric Watts, Connecticut: This 6-6, 274-pounder, who had seven sacks in 2022, likely projects as a pass-rush specialist, at least in the early stages of his NFL career. He was certainly impressive at the combine, landing in the top 10 among defensive ends in the three-cone, vertical, and broad jump.
8. WR Jalen Coker, Holy Cross: Coker has speed to burn; his 4.57 40 at the combine was faster than Florida State’s heralded receiver Keon Coleman. Toss in the fact that the 6-1, 208-pounder led FCS in touchdown catches last season with 15, and it should be enough to find him a spot somewhere on an NFL roster, either as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
Advertisement
Holy Cross teammate C.J. Hanson, who started all 11 games last year at right guard, could be in the mix as a possible draft pick as well.
9. RB Dylan Laube, New Hampshire: The 5-10, 206-pounder led FCS in all-purpose yards last season (209.5 yards per game), was No. 2 in touchdowns (18) and points per game (10.8), and third in kick-return average (31.1 yards). He had an excellent showing at the combine, one that included a top-five finish among running backs in the three-cone drill, which could quash any small-school bias against him.
A Westhampton, N.Y., native, he says he would welcome the chance to stay in New England and play for the Patriots.
“That would be awesome. To be honest, that’s been my home the past decade. So that would be pretty cool,” said Laube. “One of their scouts, Matt Evans, actually went to UNH. So we’ve always talked a bunch, and connected with him a bunch.”
10. DB Jarrett Martin, Rhode Island: This 6-3, 220-pounder out of Franklin has split time between linebacker and safety, but likely projects as a defensive back at the next level. He was one of several local prospects invited to a Pro Day at Gillette Stadium, a group that included Hergel and Coker.
