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2017 NFL Draft: Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia, Patriots scouting the marquee Pro Days

The Patriots are at Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Missouri, and 7 other schools.

The New England Patriots are deep in the NFL Draft scouting process and we have ten more schools to add to the list, including some big schools, some small schools, some big prospects and some head scratchers. No stone is left unturned at this point in the year.

We are keeping track of all the players that have interacted with the Patriots over the course of the draft process here, and have added names like N.C. State SS Josh Jones and Cincinnati LB Eric Wilson.

But there are a few other pro days that don’t have an exact player linked to the Patriots- so it’s up to us to evaluate the prospects at each school. Here are the prospects of note.

Ohio State

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is at Ohio State to check out some of the best talent in the entire draft. CB Marshon Lattimore and FS Malik Hooker are both possible top ten selections and are far beyond possibility.

LB Raekwon McMillan is a Patriots-type linebacker, while CB Gareon Conley checks all the physical boxes, IOL Pat Elflein might be the best interior lineman in the draft, and ATH Curtis Samuel is this year’s version of Percy Harvin; all four project to go in the second round.

WR Noah Brown is 6’2, 222 pounds and is a day three possibility.

Belichick worked out Ohio EDGE Tarrell Basham, an indication of the team’s interest in bolstering the pass rush. Basham is 6’4, 270 pounds with a 4.70s 40 yard dash and he dominated the Senior Bowl competition after earning Conference Defensive Player of the year. He is also a second round option.

While not mentioned, the Patriots might also be interested in undersized Ohio LB Blair Brown, who looks like Elandon Roberts in stature (5’11 1/2, 240 pounds) and in play, as a heat-seeking missile on the field.

Missouri

EDGE Charles Harris follows in the footsteps of other dominant Missouri pass rushers and at 6’3, 253 pounds, Harris is projected to go in the top 40 of the draft. He had a disappointing combine and needs to test well at his Pro Day.

5’9, 177 pound CB Aarion Penton led the SEC in interceptions (5) and in passes defended (17) en route to a First Team All Conference nod. He was suspended in 2014 for possession of marijuana.

Notre Dame

The Patriots and DC Matt Patricia might be doing some pre-scouting of QB DeShone Kizer, regarded as one of the top four quarterbacks in the draft and a possible option for the New York Jets.

DT Jarron Jones is a monster at 6’6, 316 pounds, while 6’4, 280 pound DL Isaac Rochell is also an interesting option, but neither really jump off the page as can’t-miss prospects.

University of South Florida

RB Marlon Mack is 5’11, 213 pounds with a solid 4.50s 40 yard dash and explosive 10’5 broad jump. He is the all time leading rusher for USF with 3,609 rushing yards, and owns every other scoring and rushing record. He has exceeded 1,000 rushing yards for three straight years after starting as a true freshman and has been First Team All Conference all three years and is considered a day two prospect.

WR Rodney Adams is a late round prospect at 6’1, 190 pounds, with a 4.44s 40 yard dash and a 6.98s three cone. Adams recorded 1,961 yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two years.

Boston College

The Patriots checked out the best college football team in their backyard, too.

FS John Johnson and LB Matt Milano are considered day three prospects, with Johnson flashing incredible quickness and Milano showing impressive burst and explosion. Johnson is 6’1, 205 pounds with an excellent 6.72s three cone time and he rarely makes mistakes. Milano is one of the highest grading linebackers in Pro Football Focus’ ratings due to his coverage ability and pass rush.

Connecticut

They also sent scouts to that other team in New England.

DB Obi Melifonwu is on the Patriots radar and the 6’4, 224 pound athletic phenom will likely be off the board in the first round. He can be projected to play any spot in the secondary. WR Noel Thomas put together

Rutgers

The Patriots will always have a soft spot for Rutgers, even if there aren’t many notable prospects this year. In fact, there isn’t a player expected to be drafted. Look for the Patriots to give attention to former 5-star recruit DT Darius Hamilton, who suffered injuries, but showed serious promise as an interior pass rusher.

University of Pennsylvania

QB Alek Torgersen is considered a preferred free agent option and the Patriots might be interested in a potential camp arm if Jimmy Garoppolo is traded.

James Madison

6’1, 236 pound LB Gage Steele is First Team Best Linebacker Names and Second Team All Conference. OT Mitchell Kirsch is 6’5, 306 pounds and has been named All Conference three times.

Charlotte

Charlotte DL Larry Ogunjobi is a favorite of Mike Mayock, which means that he’s definitely on the radar of Bill Belichick. He’s a four-year starter that was named First Team All Conference for a school that didn’t have a football program until 2013. The 6’3, 305 pound Ogunjobi recorded 49 tackles for loss and 13 sacks during his time in college and is considered a second round prospect.

5’9, 218 pound RB Kalif Phillips has over 4,000 rushing yards and three years as a starter, while 5’9, 170 pound WR Austin Duke has over 3,400 receiving yards.

Maine

6’0, 242 pound LB Christophe Mulumba was named First Team All Conference for three separate seasons. 6’3, 285 pound DT Patrick Ricard was named First Team All Conference after racking up 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.