In today's Boston Globe, they reported New England worked out Auburn's Quentin Groves. He's a former defensive end that moved to outside linebacker for the Tigers and is rated by The Sporting News as the second best outside linebacker in this year draft and is considered by many as the best pure pass rusher.
Despite the compliments, he's expected to be drafted outside of the top 10. It might just be a case of team needs that his stock isn't higher.
But with the NFL being a copycat league, it's surprising his stock isn't rising. Finding great potential pass rushers isn't easy, especially with his combination of size and speed. He's a 6-3 259-pounder with 4.53 speed. He could be an end in a 4-3 or play upright in a 3-4. And with the growing number of teams that now play a 3-4 (Cincinnati might switch this year) Groves' value should be higher.
If the Pats really want Quentin, they could trade down and get him a little later in the first round. It's an idea that would appeal to them because they would save a lot of money signing him several picks later instead of the seventh pick overall.
Naturally, working out a prospect isn't a guarantee that they are interested in that player. But the interest in linebackers this offseason seems to indicate they will draft one or more.
Keywords: Auburn, New England, Patriots, Quentin Groves
