The New England Patriots are set to work out one of the best tight end prospects in the 2014 NFL draft.
Iowa tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz told ChicagoFootball.com Tuesday that he has a visit planned with the Patriots before May’s draft. Fiedorowicz listed the Patriots as one of the teams that have shown the most interest in him — along with the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end is considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft. He had 30 receptions for 299 yards with six touchdowns in 2013.
Fiedorowicz flashed impressive athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. He ran a 4.76-second 40-yard dash, 4.26-second 20-yard shuttle and 7.10-second three-cone drill.
The Patriots would be wise to pick a tight end high in the draft. They have just Michael Hoomanawanui and D.J. Williams as depth behind the oft-injured Rob Gronkowski. Fiedorowicz mimics Gronkowski’s skills well, and the two could see time together in the offense if the Patriots return to two-tight end sets.
Fiedorowicz’s head coach at Iowa, Kirk Ferentz, was Bill Belichick’s offensive line coach with the Cleveland Browns from 1993 to 1995. Ferentz’s son, Brian, coached the Patriots’ tight ends in 2011 before moving to Iowa to coach the offensive line in 2012 and 2013.
The Patriots met with Fiedorowicz at the combine.
