Five of the Patriots’ pre-draft visits are now known.
While the signing of former Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs in free agency has been front and center in New England the last 24 hours, the Patriots are nowhere near finished building their roster. With only a month before the NFL Draft, after all, the college scouting process is entering its crucial phase.
The so-called “30 visits” are a key part of it, and two more names can be added to the Patriots’ list now. According to reports on Tuesday, offensive tackle Will Campbell already visited the team while cornerback Jacob Parrish will do so at one point in the future.
Campbell is arguably the top offensive lineman in this year’s draft, and checks almost every box you would want him to check. He is a physical, technically proficient blocker that is well regarded by his teammates and coaches.
The biggest question with Campbell is his size: despite standing at just under 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, his sub-33-inch arm length and sub-74-inch wingspan could be definitive problems for teams. Oddly enough, he did hit that oft-mentioned arm length threshold at his pro day (33”) after not doing so at the Scouting Combine (32 5/8”).
Regardless of that one measurement, however, there is no denying Campbell is as ready-made a starting O-lineman as you will find in the draft.
Parrish, meanwhile, is an intriguing mid-round prospect at cornerback despite checking in at under 5-foot-10. He combines natural athleticism with a blue-collar attitude, which should allow him to be competitive at the next level right from the start. He projects as a potential outside option in a zone-heavy scheme, or an interior nickel in a press-man defense like the one the Patriots are going to run.
The news about Campbell and Parrish visiting with the Patriots comes shortly after the first three such 30 visits were reported. Also on what is an ever-growing list are Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, and Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin.
Teams can bring in 30 total non-local prospects ahead of the draft. They are not allowed to do any on-field work while on their visit, but they still serve an important purpose as either an extended job interview or an elaborate smokescreen.