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NFL Draft 2011: Patriots' Saturday Combine Notes

Good morning everyone! Let's take a look at some of the stories floating around the rumor mill from yesterday:

Patriots have looked at Portland State TE Julius Thomas. Thomas would be another offensive weapon for Tom Brady since he's still a very raw blocker. He spent last season on the football team after having played basketball his collegiate career. He improved throughout the season and, at 6-5, 246 lbs, Thomas would be a big target in the red zone. Thomas is listed as a late round prospect.

Patriots have also looked at Slippery Rock C Brandon Fusco. Fusco is a mid-late round center prospect who did exceptionally well during the position drills. Beyond Mike Pouncey and Stefen Wisniewski, the next center prospect is pretty much a toss-up as no one has been able to claim the third spot in the draft depth chart. Fusco would present great value and he could back-up Dan Koppen for a season or two as Koppen's contract expires and Fusco gains experience.

The team has already spoken to California DE Cameron Jordan. Jordan must bulk up, but he's a solid player at defensive end. I'd say that he's the Anthony Castonzo of defensive ends- high floor, with some remaining upside. He may not have the tremendous upside as J.J. Watt (my Tyron Smith of DEs), or the name brand as Marcell Dareus (my Gabe Carimi of DEs), but he's a solid balance of both immediate contribution and future upside.

Some numbers after the jump!

Here are some important numbers for some potential top 3 round prospects:

Outside Linebacker Prospects

Von Miller - 6-3, 246 lbs, 33.5 wing span

Ryan Kerrigan - 6-4, 267 lbs, 33.375 wing span

Aldon Smith - 6-4, 264 lbs, 35.375 wing span

Robert Quinn - 6-4, 265 lbs, 34 wing span

Sam Acho - 6-2, 262 lbs, 33.5 wing span

Greg Romeus - 6-5, 265 lbs, 35 wing span

Jabaal Sheard - 6-3, 264 lbs, 33.5 wing span

Jeremy Beal - 6-2, 262 lbs, 33.125 wing span

Cliff Matthews - 6-4, 257 lbs, 34 wing span

Brooks Reed - 6-3, 263 lbs, 32.25 wing span

Akeem Ayers - 6-3, 254 lbs, 33 wing span

Justin Houston - 6-3, 270 lbs, 34.5 wing span

Martez Wilson - 6-4, 250 lbs, 34.625 wing span

K.J. Wright - 6-3, 246 lbs, 34.875 wing span

Defensive End Prospects

Cameron Heyward - 6-5, 294 lbs, 34.25 wing span

Cameron Jordan - 6-4, 287 lbs, 35 wing span

J.J. Watt - 6-5, 290 lbs, 35 wing span

Christian Ballard - 6-4, 283 lbs, 33 wing span

Kenrick Ellis - 6-5, 346 lbs, 35.125 wing span

Phil Taylor - 6-3, 334 lbs, 34 wing span

Muhammad Wilkerson - 6-4, 315 lbs, 35.125 wing span

Running Back Prospects

Mark Ingram - 5-9, 215 lbs, 9.5 hand width

Mikel Leshoure - 6-0, 227 lbs, 9.5 hand width

Jordan Todman - 5-9, 203 lbs, 9.375 hand width, 25 bench

Shane Vereen - 5-10, 210 lbs, 9 hand width, 31 bench

Ryan Williams - 5-9, 212 lbs, 9 hand width

Delone Carter - 5-9, 222 lbs, 9.5 hand width, 27 bench

Demarco Murray - 6-0, 213 lbs, 9.25 hand width

Roy Helu - 6-0, 219 lbs, 10.25 hand width

Noel Devine - 5-8, 179 lbs, 8.625 hand width, 24 bench

Kendall Hunter - 5-7, 199 lbs, 8.75 hand width, 24 bench

Derrick Locke - 5-8, 188 lbs, 9 hand width

Jacquizz Rodgers - 5-6, 196 lbs, 8.875 hand width

Daniel Thomas - 6-3, 230 lbs, 9 hand width

Offensive Tackle Prospects

Anthony Castonzo - 6-7, 311 lbs, 34.5 wing span, 28 bench, 8-9 broad, 7.25 3 cone

Gabe Carimi - 6-7, 314 lbs, 35 wing span, 29 bench, 9-1 broad

Derek Sherrod - 6-5, 321 lbs, 35.375 wing span, 23 bench, 8-1 broad

Tyron Smith - 6-5, 307 lbs, 36.375 wing span, 29 bench

Nate Solder - 6-8, 319 lbs, 35.5 wing span, 21 bench, 9-2 broad

James Brewer - 6-6, 323 lbs, 35.5 wing span, 25 bench, 8-4 broad

Marcus Gilbert - 6-6, 330 lbs, 33.5 wing span, 30 bench

Offensive Guard Prospects

Rodney Hudson - 6-2, 299 lbs, 32.5 wing span, 27 bench, 7-11 broad

John Moffitt - 6-4, 319 lbs, 33 wing span, 23 bench, 8-6 broad

Justin Boren - 6-3, 309 lbs, 32 wing span, 28 bench, 7.57 3 cone

Steve Schilling - 6-4, 308 lbs, 32.75 wing span, 30 bench, 8-2 broad

Clint Boling - 6-4, 308 lbs, 33.5 wing span, 28 bench, 8-6 broad

Marcus Cannon - 6-5, 358 lbs, 34 wing span, 33 bench, 8-9 broad

Orlando Franklin - 6-5, 316 lbs, 35 wing span, 26 bench

Benjamin Ijalana - 6-4, 317 lbs, 36 wing span

Danny Watkins - 6-3, 310 lbs, 34.25 wing span, 29 bench, 7-8 broad

Center Prospects

Brandon Fusco - 6-4, 306 lbs, 9-0 broad, 7.29 3 cone

Mike Pouncey - 6-4, 303 lbs, 32.25 wing span, 8-0 broad

Stefen Wisniewski - 6-3, 313 lbs, 33 wing span, 30 bench, 8-4 broad, 7.51 3 cone

Kris O'Dowd - 6-4, 304 lbs, 32.5 wing span, 8-9 broad

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Looking at these numbers, it seems that there are plenty of mid-round running backs, so that position won't be addressed until the middle rounds. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots double dipped into the outside linebackers because of all the depth.

More information later today!