Loading your audio article
Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April 24, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have nine draft picks, starting at No. 4 overall. As for their other picks, the Patriots are expected to address offensive tackle and wide receiver, though they could pad their depth at virtually any position.
Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at cornerback:
Day 1-2
Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 193
Projected round: 2nd-3rd
Scouting report: A freshman All-American in 2022, the only thing holding Morrison back the past two seasons has been injury. Otherwise, he posted 20 pass breakups, including three interceptions, over 18 game appearances. He’s a long, fluid corner who can play in the slot, outside and thrive in a man-to-man scheme. A bad hip limited him to six games last year, when he was named a team captain.
If the Patriots reach for a cornerback in the second round, Morrison is the name to know.
Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 191
Projected round: 2nd-3rd
Scouting report: Parrish fits Mike Vrabel’s vision, as a tough, relentless player who brings punch to his position. He plays bigger than his listed frame, and makes sound tackles from outside corner and the nickelback position, where he played on third downs last season. Parrish would provide instant competition to incumbent nickel corner Marcus Jones and ball disruption, having recorded 21 pass deflections over the past two years.
Nohl Williams, Cal
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 199
Projected round: 3rd-4th
Scouting report: A playmaker’s playmaker, Williams snatched seven interceptions last year playing in a heavy man-to-man scheme. He’s exceptionally durable, having logged 50 career starts between Cal and UNLV, and leaves his opponents bruised playing a hard-hitting style from start to finish. That play demeanor and ferocity will play well in a Vrabel-led organization.
Knocks on Williams include his long speed (4.5-second time in the 40-yard dash), frequent penalties and some spotty run defense.
Day 3
Caleb Ransaw, Tulane
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 197
Projected round: 4th
Scouting report: Another nickelback prospect, Ransaw is an outstanding athlete who could make an impact on defense and/or special teams as a rookie. Ransaw has played outside corner, nickel and safety plus some linebacker over the last 12 months. His production numbers are down, but there’s no question Ransaw can compete, tackle and keep pace with electric receivers. He clocked a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and posted elite marks for his position in the vertical and broad jumps.
Mac McWilliams, UCF
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 191
Projected round: 4th-5th
Scouting report: McWilliams recently starred at the Senior Bowl, where the Patriots annually pull top and/or mid-round picks. He’s a strong man-to-man player with some scheme versatility and plus ball skills. McWilliams also averaged 11.6 yards on punt return, showcasing some explosiveness with the ball in his hands. He does have a scattershot injury history, but should provide solid value to whichever team drafts him next week.
Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 175
Projected round: 5th
Scouting report: In the Bill Belichick era, a hard-nosed defensive back like Longerbeam would have been near the top of the Patriots’ board. Under Vrabel and vice president of of player personnel Eliot Wolf, Longerbeam should still be there.
While underized, Longerbeam is another terrific athlete (4.39 speed) with great production and intangibles. He was voted a team captain last year, and despite starring on defense also played some special teams. Durability concerns drag down his stock, but this late in the draft a mature, athletic prospect like Longerbeam will appeal to several teams.
Marcus Harris, Cal
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 189
Projected round: 5th-6th
Scouting report: A fearless player, Harris brings boom-or-bust potential with his play style. He balanced the several long completions he allowed last season with nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and 2.5 tackles for loss. He’s fast and physical, a capable cover man with experience in man and zone that the Patriots may gamble on figuring good coaching can smooth out the bumps in his game.
Tommi Hill, Nebraska
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 213
Projected round: 6th-7th
Scouting report: Hill played through plantar fasciitis last season and later in the Senior Bowl, which hurt his draft stock. The flip side is the Patriots could see a player who was willing to sacrifice for his team and compete. Amid the spotty tape, he tallied three pass breakups in seven games last year. But the season before, Hill posted four interceptions and 13 pass deflections; the type of performance that could have made him a mid-round pick had he entered the 2024 draft.
