The final step of the draft process involves ‘30 visits.’ This is where each NFL team can host up to 30 college prospects at their team facility for meetings and interviews. For the most part, it is a chance to get to know prospects better in a longer-form setting. Other times, it can be due diligence on a prospect that a team may be uncertain or it can be a smoke signal to throw other teams off their path.
It’s best not to place too much emphasis on these visits, but who teams meet with can lend clues as to what their thought process is entering the draft festivities. The two major areas of concentration seemed to be amongst skill position players and the defensive line. Let’s have a further examination.
Running Back Visits
- Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
- Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
It has been an echoed sentiment that New England needs to inject a fresh pair of legs into the backfield rotation. We have previously discussed some of the late-round targets that the Patriots have met with throughout the process. Players such as Marcus Yarns of Delaware and Kyle Monangai of Rutgers are two players the team met with early on in the process. Based on a look at the players brought in for 30 visits, New England is clearly investigating backs who will be available during the later portion of the draft. All three players in Dylan Sampson (size), Trevor Etienne (off-field arrest), and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (eligibility) have issues that can cause them to fall.
Wide Receiver Visits
- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
- Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn
- Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
The wideout '30 visits' are interesting solely for the fact that aside from Tetairoa McMillan, the other three targets would all project as slot receivers, not necessarily the most pressing area of need, with DeMario Douglas being one of their most productive players over the past two seasons. There is a thought that McMillan could slide due to questions surrounding his love for the game. As for Jaylin Noel and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, they are more one-trick ponies who win with speed, although Lambert-Smith tested poorly, so he'll likely fall to Day 3. A highly productive player at Washington State, Kyle Williams has a chance to be one of the highest non-combine invites selected during the draft weekend.
Offensive Tackle Visits
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
All indications are that Will Campbell will be the Patriots' pick at No.4, so it only makes sense for the two sides to get to know each other better. There were serious arm length measurement discrepancies reported this year at the combine, but it remains a moot point at this stage. New England is convinced that Campbell can be slotted in at left tackle due to his technique, footwork and competitiveness. Should Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter Jr. manage to slide to No.4, then Aireonte Ersery could be an option at No.38.
Defensive Tackle Visits
- Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
- Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
- Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
A projected top-five talent, there is a strong belief that Mason Graham will be the pick following New England, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's an interesting debate, as the majority of NFL war rooms would have Graham rated as a higher prospect than Campbell. However, the Patriots seem content with Campbell regardless of value, as he fills their biggest need. Could they explore defensive tackle on Day 2? Based on the fact that Joshua Farmer and Darius Alexander were brought in for visits, it would seem likely.
Edge Rushers
- Abdul Carter Jr, Penn State
- Mykel Williams, Georgia
- Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
- Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
- Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
- Barryn Sorrell, Texas
The odds are very strong that New England will select a pass-rusher at some point, and their '30 visits' are very telling in this case. The possibility of Carter Jr. remains, albeit slim. In the case of Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart, they likely wouldn't become targets unless a trade-back scenario came to fruition. One of the fast-risers is Oluwafemi Oladejo, who could now sneak into the backend of the first round. Otherwise, he would be a prime target at No.40. The Pats could also consider Nic Scourton at that spot, while Barryn Sorrell likely projects as an early Day 3 candidate.
Others
- Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
- Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
The two outliers of the '30 visits' would be linebacker Nick Martin and cornerback Jacob Parish. Unless you work inside the building at 1 Patriot Way, it's hard to know for certain what the thought process was behind these meet-ups. One could guess that the two tested off the charts, which didn't necessarily show up on film. For that, these two players could be chosen higher than anticipated, as both have drawn heavy interest late in the process. Martin, is a sideline-to-sideline backer with a nose for the ball, while Parrish projects as a physical nickel back with speed.
