New England Hosting Local QB For Pre-Draft Workout

The New England Patriots contacted their local heroes in the search for a fresh talent. The team has a few big holes on the 2022 roster. Head coach Bill Belichick needs players at several positions. He needs receivers, cornerbacks, linebackers… Why is New England looking for another QB?

According to Mike Reiss from ESPN, the Patriots hosted Brown quarterback EJ Perry for a pre-draft workout. The Massachusetts quarterback arrived at Gillette Stadium and his visit added fuel to the fire. Why are the Patriots working out quarterbacks? Mac Jones will be starting quarterback for the team. Brian Hoyer got a new deal with the team and he will continue mentoring Jones. Jarrett Stidham is still around. His future with the Patriots may be hanging in the air.

New England could use a speedy QB

Perry spent his entire childhood in Andover and went to Boston College. However, he transferred to Brown in 2019. Perry’s skills and great talent helped him unleash his potential and he was soon a star in the Ivy League. The talented player led the conference in total yards in his two seasons with the team, except for the 2020 season. COVID, remember? Perry’s passing and rushing games were on point. In his two seasons at Brown, Perry had 253 carries for 1,132 yards and 15 touchdowns.

There’s more. I guess Belichick has a few good reasons to try his chances with Perry. The quarterback was the Ivy League’s Offensive Player of the Year in the Ivy League last year. He did a wonderful job at the East-West Shrine Bowl, delivering 241 passing yards, and three touchdowns. His performance at the NFL Scouting Combine was equally impressive. He measures at 6’2’’ and 211 pounds. Perry was faster than other quarterbacks in Indianapolis. He did 6.85-second three-cone drill and 4.18-second short shuttle. Amazing, huh? He stood second behind Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati with his 40-yard dash (4.65 seconds), vertical jump (34 ½ inches), and broad jump (123 inches).

Lance Zierlein has great review for the quarterback

Zierlein from NFL Media had great words for Perry, suggesting that he may take similar role as Taysom Hill on the offense.

Perry has average size and arm strength but below-average mechanics and consistency as a passer,” Zierlein wrote in Perry’s NFL.com draft profile. “He doesn’t value the football enough as a decision-maker and lacks a desired level of ball placement. His toughness and talent as a runner create attention, as teams might ask Perry to add a few more pounds in order to see if he can become a valuable Swiss Army Knife who’s able to help at a variety of positions, including special teams.”

The fun part? Belichick is not the only coach interested in the Massachusetts native. Josh McDaniels and Nick Caserio met with him, too.