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Prediction: New England Patriots Will Draft Navy RB/WR Keenan Reynolds

By Dan Schmelzer

Dec 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) runs during the first quarter against the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) runs during the first quarter against the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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With multiple visits from Bill Belichick and many others on the staff, the New England Patriots have shown a lot of interest in former Navy QB Keenan Reynolds. With the team never being afraid to take a chance on a player who they like, I imagine that Reynolds will land with the Pats in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Keenan Reynolds was a star quarterback for the Naval Academy the past four years, running their triple-option offense better than any other quarterback in recent memory. A true dual-threat QB, Keynolds leaves college with more rushing yards than any other quarterback in FBS history (4,559). His 88 career total touchdowns is also an NCAA Division I record.

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Obviously Reynolds had a ton of success in college, but he was much more of a threat as a runner than a passer. His passing skills are not going to fly at the next level, making a position change absolutely necessary. Because of his success on the ground, most consider him to be a running back at the next level, but slot receiver would make a lot of sense as well. Regardless, quarterback is not an option.

An extremely talented player who has proven play-making skills, Reynolds has a great chance of making this position change successful. That being said, there has been little buzz about him through the draft process. As we inch closer to the 2016 NFL Draft later this week, Reynolds is listed as a running back who is projected to be taken in the seventh round or to go undrafted by CBS Sports.

There has not been much talk about Reynolds, but the New England Patriots have shown consistent interest in him. According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Bill Belichick made a trip to the Naval Academy to see Reynolds in person earlier this month. The private workout was ran by Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and it was the most recent of many visits between the team and the former quarterback.

The last time the Patriots took a college quarterback and converted him to another position in the NFL was Julian Edelman in the seventh round in 2009. Edelman has become the best slot receiver in the NFL and arguably the best weapon in the Patriots’ lethal passing attack. Let’s just say there is some prescient here.

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At 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, I could see Reynolds giving either running back or wide receiver a chance at the next level. He obviously has rushing ability, but his size on inside runs would be a concern. When it comes to the Patriots, I think Belichick and company see another Edelman opportunity here. This is nothing more than an educated guess, but I think the Patriots see Reynolds as an option at the wide receiver position.

He has not had many opportunities to showcase his catching ability, but by all accounts, Reynolds has soft and dependable hands. He showed an obvious ability to find the holes in the running game in college, and I could easily see that translating well to making plays after the catch just like it did with Edelman.

Perhaps most importantly, Reynolds is considered to be an extremely high-character and easily coach-able player. There are few teams who put a higher emphasis on those qualities than the Patriots. I think his skill-set is enticing to them and his willingness to learn would allow them to mold Reynolds in to the player who they have envisioned.

In the NFL Draft, when there is smoke, there is usually fire. In the case of the Patriots’ obvious interest in Reynolds, I think we clearly have something here. His ability as a player, mental toughness and an obvious willingness to be the best that he can be would all be incredibly interesting to the Patriots.

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I see Reynolds being selected by the organization some time during day three of the 2016 NFL Draft. Whether it is with one of their five sixth-round selections, or in a possible trade up/down scenario in to the fourth or fifth-round, I think the Patriots are going to directly target Reynolds and turn him in to a dynamic offensive play-maker.

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