Welcome to 10 Potential Patriots!
Each day leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft, we’ll unveil one draft prospect who projects ats a seamless fit in New England and should be available when the Patriots make one of their dozen selections (sorry, Nick Bosa fans). Each breakdown will feature a full scouting report, video highlights, coach commentary and more.
Our series continues today with a quarterback who checks off the biggest scouting boxes for the Patriots and may one day succeed Tom Brady.
No. 10 Mississippi State S Johnathan Abram
No. 9 Nebraska WR Stanley Morgan Jr.
No. 8 Michigan DE/OLB Chase Winovich
No. 7 Memphis RB/KR Tony Pollard
No. 6 Alabama State OT Tytus Howard
No. 5: Alabama DE/OLB Christian Miller
Days before Super Bowl LIII, former Patriots assistant quarterbacks coach Jerry Schuplinski gave MassLive a crash course on how New England scouts college signal callers.
Once the Patriots determine a given quarterback prospect meets their baseline physical criteria, he must then check two critical boxes: football intelligence and commitment to craft and team. A third, leadership, is up there, too, but digging into the former areas are New England’s chief scouting objectives. Then comes the sit-down.
“We need to put them through some stuff," Schuplinski said in late January. "It doesn’t necessarily have to be their (plays) per se, but we want to teach them something and see how they learn it. Teach them something, then test them on it and see how their retention is. And that’s usually a relatively good indicator.
"It’s doesn’t tell us automatically whether this guy’s got it, but we’ll know if he doesn’t have it. And if he does, we’ll know he has a chance.”
During the lead-up to the 2014 NFL Draft, Jimmy Garoppolo proved he had “it.” In 2016, Jacoby Brissett did, too. And a year ago, Danny Etling had enough of “it” to warrant a seventh-round selection.
As prospects, draft experts knocked Garoppolo and Etling for their 6-foot-2 statures and small hands. The Patriots punched the quarterbacks’ tickets to Foxborough anyway. Another passer in this year’s class suffers from the same supposed afflictions, and may fit New England’s ideal better than either Garoppolo or Etling.
Meet Brett Rypien.
Rypien (pronounced rip-in) was a three-time captain at Boise State, where his accuracy and smarts founded a four-year starting career. Broncos coaches have said he raised the program standard for player preparation and approach. Rypien carried a full pre-snap plate at Boise State, a testament to his football intelligence and the trust he earned from the Broncos’ staff.
He also possesses a quick release (another Patriot prerequisite) and proved repeatedly he’s unafraid to absorb a big hit if it means completing a downfield thrown.
So what are the knocks on Rypien that have him pegged as a mid-to-late round pick? Mainly size and strength. By NFL standards, he’s on the short and lean side. NFL defenses won’t respect his deep ball until he punishes them for creeping toward the line of scrimmage.
He also struggled early in his career with fumbles. Rypien’s projected ceiling is average NFL starter after a few years.
The thing is New England doesn’t need a starter now. It needs a smart, accurate passer who can meet expectations for commitment and be willing to learn. Rypien is more accurate and seasoned than Etling was upon being drafted last year. His ceiling is surely higher.
The only question is: Is it high enough?
Measurables
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 210
40-yard dash: 4.91
Vertical jump: 33
Broad jump: 116
3-cone: 7.1
Bench press: N/A
Scouting Report
Strengths: Quick release and clean mechanics. Impressive accuracy to short and intermediate areas, both when leading receivers and squeezing passes through tight windows. Possesses clear command of his offense and grasp of defensive coverages. Manipulates defenders with eyes and shoulders. Sufficient escapability. Never threw more than eight interceptions in a season. Impressed at East-West Shrine Game. Strong leader in the locker room and presence in the Boise community.
Weaknesses: Deep ball can hang, which will him vulnerable to NFL safeties. Must gain a better feel for incoming rush and develop pocket mobility. Can lock on to his first read. Must be stronger with the ball. Throws up an occasional prayer throw under duress that too often invites trouble.
Coach’s View
“He knows how to handle expectations that no one else before him had. ... He’s going to be the standard for us going forward in how you prepare, how you handle the ups and downs.” — Boise State coach Bryan Harsin
Highlights
Draft projection
4th-5th round
Final thought
Will Rypien’s status as a potential diamond in the rough that is this year’s quarterback class be enough to earn a call from the Patriots? Only time will tell. But this much we can say: He’s as natural a fit as you’ll find in 2019.