2016 NFL Draft: Defensive Linemen Targets For Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- With the NFL Draft only a week away, Adam Jones and Rich Keefe are doing their best GM impressions to figure out just who the Patriots might select with their two late second-round picks.
After discussing offensive line prospects earlier in the week, they turned their attention to the opposite side of the ball and the defensive line.
Players who could be available come pick No. 60 include Chris Jones from Mississippi State, Vernon Butler from Louisiana Tech, Jonathan Bullard from Florida, Kenny Clark from UCLA, Austin Johnson from Penn State, Hassan Ridgeway from Texas and Adolphus Washington from Ohio State.
Keefe believes UCLA's Clark would be the best fit in New England because of his high motor and durability.
"For an interior lineman to be second on the team in tackles, he had 75 this year, speaks to just how active he is," said Keefe.
"He's supposed to be better against the run, which I think is fine. I think for the guys out of this group, I don't need a great pass rusher. Even though they moved on from Chandler Jones, I still think they can do that in other spots. I also like Kenny Clark because he seems to be very healthy," said Keefe. "Anybody who's got a red flag with injury, I don't need to take him with my first or second-round pick."
If Jones got to choose who the Patriots would take from the talented group, he'd go with Louisiana Tech's pass-rushing D-lineman Butler.
"If you're trying to replicate what Dominique Easley gave you minus the injuries, I think Vernon Butler out of Louisiana Tech is your guy," said Jones. "I think he has an ability to rush the quarterback, and I'm hoping the Patriots don't completely shun that skill set."
Listen to everything else Jones and Keefe had to say about this year's crop of defensive line prospects: