NFL Draft 2011: Is Terrell McClain a Fit for the New England Patriots?

If Bill Belichick is taking time out of his busy draft season schedule to stop off at a team's Pro Day, it could mean nothing more than due diligence.

Still, the New England Patriots could use a guy like Terrell McClain in their defense.

According to WEEI.com's Christopher Price and multiple other sources, the Patriots have expressed an interest in the 6'2", 297-pound defensive end. Bill Belichick himself even attended South Florida's Pro Day to watch McClain and other prospects work out.

Of course, the New England Patriots aren't much in the business of letting people in on who they've targeted, but the dangers of doing so in later rounds are much smaller than at the top of the draft.

ESPN's Scouts, Inc. has a scouting report up on McClain, and although it's not scathing, it doesn't exactly give him glowing reviews.

He played mostly in a four-man front at USF, where he wasn't asked to hold his ground as much as he was asked to penetrate the line and create pressure up the middle. Still, his size and overall frame suggest he could do both and be scheme versatile.

From what little tape I've seen of him, he can hold his ground at the point of attack and gains leverage well. Of course, not all scouting reports agree.

His abilities as a pass rusher certainly aren't as profound.

He flashes the ability to make plays, but gets too high at times and gears down in phone booth situations, losing them more often than he wins them.

He's a specialist, and unfortunately for him, the Patriots already feature a few too many specialists on the defensive line. It's time to start finding real three-down solutions at those end spots.

His value makes him no better than an early third-round pick for the Patriots.