Patriots: Five more pre-draft visits include playmaker, top tackle
The New England Patriots are meeting with prospects projected to be selected all of the 2023 NFL Draft before the event later this month. Over the last two days, there have been reports that five different prospects will meet with the Patriots. Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones Boise State […]
The New England Patriots are meeting with prospects projected to be selected all of the 2023 NFL Draft before the event later this month.
Over the last two days, there have been reports that five different prospects will meet with the Patriots.
Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers
Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones
Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock
San Jose edge defender Villami Fehoko
Florida State safety Jammie Robinson
Some notes on these players:
- Flowers is a projected first- or second-round pick who ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds. The Patriots coached him at the East-West Shrine Game. He caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards with 12 touchdowns in 2022 with the Eagles.
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Jones, 21, declared for the draft as a redshirt sophomore. The 6-foot-5, 313-pound left tackle is a projected first-round pick. He didn’t allow a sack in 2022.
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Matlock is projected as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent by DraftScout.com. The 6-foot-4, 308-pounder was at the NFLPA Bowl all-star game. He was an accomplished run defender at defensive tackle and defensive end with the Broncos.
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Fehoko, a projected fifth- or sixth-round pick, was also at the East-West Shrine Game. At 6-foot-4, 282 pounds, he ran a 4.77-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. He played as an edge defender and undersized defensive tackle with the Spartans and excelled as a pass rusher with 66 pressures, four QB hits and nine sacks in 2022. He compiled 23 total sacks in his college career.
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Robinson, a projected third- or fourth-round pick, is 5-foot-11, 191 pounds. He ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He split his time between strong safety, free safety and the slot in 2022 and let up 14 catches on 25 targets for 273 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Patriots’ biggest remaining needs are at offensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver. It makes sense to look at safeties, defensive linemen and edge defenders further down the draft board like Robinson, Matlock and Fehoko.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
