San Jose State defensive end Jarron Gilbert is scheduled to meet with the Patriots on a pre-draft visit at Gillette Stadium on April 13, according to Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat (scroll to bottom of link).

The 6-foot-5, 288-pound Gilbert is projected to be picked as high as the mid-to-late first round.

In terms of need, the Patriots have four of their seven defensive linemen entering the final year of their contracts (Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green, Le Kevin Smith), so a player like Gilbert likely would be groomed with the future in mind.