Another OLB project the Pats could look at with the 7th overall pick: Quentin Groves. Here's what Pat Kirwan had to say about him:
The Tweeners
As I mentioned earlier, defensive backs aren't the only guys who need to be multi-faceted. There are plenty of defensive end/outside linebacker tweeners who are going to have to find a spot on a pro roster.
Teams have talked about moving Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston to linebacker, but despite outstanding athletic ability and great workout numbers, that switch would be a bit of a project. He's not a true "tweener". He's a pass rusher who has enough natural ability to make a move to linebacker feasible.
However, Auburn's Quentin Groves (6-foot-3, 259-pounds) recognized early on that he would fall into the tweener category. Even with great success as a down pass rusher at the college level, he moved to outside linebacker after suffering a foot injury during his senior campaign and tried to learn the position on the fly. The stats were not necessarily there, and as a result his draft stock has fallen in the eyes of some.
Mayock's rankings
Find out who Mike Mayock's top five prospects are at every position. His choices might surprise some of you draft followers out there.» Complete position-by-position rankings
I spent time with Groves at the combine and it was clear to me he has the quickness and explosiveness to be an ideal outside linebacker/pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme. He may be the best pure pass rusher in the draft who can fit into a package like the Patriots utilize. Most scouts feel he can excel as a stand up player and is similar in style and ability to DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman.
Keywords: New England Patriots Pat Kirwan Quentin Groves
