The New England Patriots reportedly have a workout scheduled with one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Patriots will work out Ohio State’s Michael Thomas next week, DraftInsider.net’s Tony Pauline reported Friday. Thomas was NESN.com’s top fit for the Patriots based on NFL Scouting Combine measurables. He did even more to show he’s a potential Patriots receiver at his pro day Friday, when he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. He ran a 4.57-second 40 at the combine.
Thomas, who’s 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, caught 56 passes for 781 yards with nine touchdowns for the Buckeyes in 2015. He had 54 receptions for 799 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014.
Thomas is projected to be a second-round pick, so he could be there for the Patriots, whose first pick is 60th overall, since their first-round selection was taken away as punishment for Deflategate. Another factor could be Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who’s close with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.
Pauline also noted the Patriots have a workout scheduled with Oregon running back/wide receiver Byron Marshall, who ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a 6.95-second three-cone drill and 4.28-second short shuttle.
Marshall missed most of his senior season with a leg injury. He carried the ball 168 times for 1,038 yards with 14 touchdowns in 2013. He caught 74 passes for 1,003 yards with six touchdowns in 2014.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
