2010 NFL Draft: Bill Belichick's Visits May Hint at Patriots' Picks

As the 2010 NFL Draft looms, which prospects will become Patriots?

It's easy for Todd McShay or Mel Kiper to make guesses as to who the Patriots will pick in next month's NFL Draft, but we all know Bill Belichick works in mysterious ways. The best way to predict who the Patriots may target is to look at who they bring in for pre-draft workouts, and where they travel to see players work out on campus.

Last year, of the 20 pre-draft workouts leaked to the public, three of those became future Patriots in April '09 (Pat Chung, Rich Ohrnberger and Brandon Tate). This doesn't include any visits that remained private, of course.

Another event worth noting was Bill Belichick's well publicized visit to the University of Connecticut to scout future Patriot Darius Butler. There are certainly smokescreens (Pat White), but for the most part there is legitimate interest in the players that the Patriots sniff around near draft time.

So for your entertainment, I've scoured the Internet for the latest in pre-draft workouts and interviews conducted by the New England Patriots.

Kam Chancellor-FS, Virginia Tech

According to Joe Fortenbaugh of the National Football Post, this 6'4", 230 lb. "safety" has scheduled a workout with the Patriots for March 26.

During his time at Virginia Tech, Chancellor played QB, Rover, CB and FS. The Patriots love versatility, and he certainly fits the bill.

Sherrick McManis-CB, Northwestern

Fortenbaugh reports that the Patriots traveled to Northwestern University to workout McManis on March 16.

McManis picked off five passes last season for the Wildcats and was named Second Team All-Big Ten. He was a team captain and is touted as an intelligent player with a good work ethic.

Mardy Gilyard-WR, Cincinnati

There's a whole lot of buzz about this kid and the Patriots, and the National Football Post reported that the Pats went to Cincinnati to work him out on March 16.

He's an explosive receiver and kick returner, who's long road to stardom has been well-documented. Gilyard worked his way back from poor grades, a revoked scholarship and living in his car to become one of the top receivers in this year's draft.

Tony Pike-QB Cincinnati

Pike also worked out for the Pats with Gilyard on March 16.

To be honest, I'm not so sure this wasn't just a case of Gilyard being able to have his own QB throw to him. Who knows, there may be some interest in the lanky 6'5" signal-caller.

Manase Tonga-FB, BYU

NFP's Aaron Wilson reported Tonga's March 16 workout (busy day) with the Pats.

Tonga is a good receiving threat out of the backfield (30 catches in 2009) and is 5'11", 245 lbs.

Dennis Pitta-TE, BYU

Pitta worked out on the same day as Tonga, and is a big-time receiving threat at the tight end position. His blocking may be somewhat of a question mark, however.

Zac Robinson-QB, Oklahoma State

Aaron Wilson reports that the former Okie State QB is scheduled to workout for the Patriots sometime next week.

Robinson had a disappointing senior year (not enough Dez Bryant?), but was impressive at the Senior Bowl. He has adequate size (6'3", 218 lbs.) and good athleticism.

Nolan Carroll-CB, Maryland

Carroll worked out for the Patriots on March 15 after missing essentially all of the 2009 season due to a broken leg.

He has solid size (6'0", 204) and ran very well at his pro day (sub-4.4).

Marcus Easley-WR, UConn

No public workouts here, but according to Wes Bunting of the NFP, the Patriots (as well as the Jets and Dolphins) have been showing real heavy interest in Easley.

He's a former walk-on who came on strong in 2009 to lead the Huskies in receiving. Great size (6'3") and speed (4.44) are his strengths.

Ricky Sapp-OLB, Clemson

Another March 16 workout, according to the Boston Herald, Sapp projects as an OLB in the Patriots 3-4 scheme.

Unlike a lot of the hybrid OLB/DE prospects, Sapp spent ample time in pass coverage at Clemson. He's 6'4", 252 lbs. and runs a 4.70.

Dexter McCluster-WR/HB/KR, Ole Miss

According to the Boston Herald, the Patriots met with McCluster at the Senior Bowl in Alabama and had him "up on the drawing board, drawing up routes, and what would [he] do in certain situations."

McCluster would add another dimension to the Patriots' offense and would also allow them to employ a big time kick returner—something they haven't had since "fan favorite" Ellis Hobbs was traded.

Zoltan Mesko-P, Michigan

Mesko met with the Patriots and Special Teams Coach Scott O'Brien at the Combine.

The Patriots don't have a punter on the roster right now, and Mesko is certainly a possibility in April.

Brandon Graham-OLB, Michigan

Graham is the media favorite to become the Patriots first-round draft pick in April. He met with the Patriots at the Senior Bowl and gushed about the idea of having a conversation with Bill Belichick.

He's a little short and doesn't have a ton of experience in pass coverage, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him in a Patriot uniform this fall.

Armanti Edwards-QB/WR, Appalachian State

The guy on the previous slide has probably seen enough of Armanti Edwards to last a lifetime. Edwards was at the helm of ASU when they pulled off their monumental upset of Graham's Wolverines in 2007. He also became the first ever two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award in 2009 (the Heisman of the FCS).

Chris Steuber of Scout.com reported that the Patriots are scheduled to work him out as a quarterback on March 19.

James Starks-HB, Buffalo

Mike Reiss reported that Starks met with the Patriots for a private workout on March 5. Starks missed the whole 2009 season (sound familiar?) with a shoulder injury.

When he's healthy, though, he's an excellent receiver (52 catches in 2008), a strong runner (1,300 yards) and even played QB his freshman year at Buffalo.

Jonathan Dwyer-HB, Georgia Tech

Dwyer is a big, powerful tailback (5'11", 229 lbs) that met with the Patriots at the Combine.

He excelled in Georgia Tech's triple-option offense and some believe he may actually benefit from playing in a pro-style system.

Golden Tate-WR, Notre Dame

Tate is another player that met with the Patriots at the 2010 Combine.

He played under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame and is therefore somewhat familiar with the Patriots offense. He could be a target for the Pats in Round Two.

Earl Thomas-FS, Texas

WEEI is reporting that Thomas has scheduled a pre-draft meeting with the Patriots for sometime next week.

He is a very highly-touted safety who some believe could make the switch to cornerback in the NFL. It's also very probable that Thomas will already be off the board by the time the Patriots select at No. 22.

Thad Gibson-OLB, Ohio State

Like Sapp, Gibson is a OLB/DE hybrid who got plenty of work at OLB in college. He is an excellent pass rusher with a mean streak, and he is scheduled to workout for the Patriots on March 18.

His size is good, but not great at 6'2", 243 lbs.

Andre Roberts-WR, The Citadel

Roberts told Pro Football Weekly that he's got a workout with the Patriots scheduled for March 18.

Despite playing at an FCS school, Roberts often competed against top talent (Florida, Wisconsin, Clemson). He is just 5'11", 195 lbs., but is an explosive player.

Pro Days

Like every other NFL team, Patriots scouts will descend on pro days all across the country this month. Some have more significance than others (every team shows up to the Florida pro day, it's saying something when a scout attends the Arkansas State pro day).

It was Bill Belichick's visit to UConn's pro day last year that solidified his selection of Darius Butler.

Where have the Patriots been so far? Patriots scouts were in attendance at the following pro days(to name a few): Pittsburgh, Georgia, Purdue, Ohio, Auburn, Fresno State, and Arkansas State.

Nick Caserio himself showed up to pro days at both BC and Rutgers. I'll leave it up to you to figure out who in particular they might be taking a look at.

Keep an eye out in the future for more pre-draft workouts that the Patriots' schedule.