It’s a busy time of year for New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Not only has he re-signed five players, added three free agents and pulled off three trades, he’s also on the scouting trail. Belichick found himself in Athens, Georgia, on Wednesday at the University of Georgia’s pro day. He was at North Carolina State on Monday and the University of South Carolina on Tuesday.
Here are Georgia’s top 2018 NFL Draft prospects and their projected draft rounds:
LB Roquan Smith, Round 1
G Isaiah Wynn, Round 1
LB Lorenzo Carter, Round 2
RB Sony Michel, Round 2
RB Nick Chubb, Round 2-3
DT Trenton Thompson, Round 2-3
WR Javon Wims, Round 6
DT John Atkins, Round 6
LB Davin Bellamy, Round 6-7
CB Aaron Davis, Round 7
One of the Patriots’ biggest needs is at linebacker. Smith likely will be gone by the time the Patriots are picking 31st overall, but Carter could be a target in the second round. He’s 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and ran an impressive 4.50-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 36-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump.
Carter had 62 tackles with 4.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 2017. He had 32 total pressures on just 181 pass-rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He also has experience dropping into coverage.
Alongside Detroit Lions head coach (and former Patriots defensive coordinator) Matt Patricia, Belichick worked closely with Carter on Wednesday.
The Patriots also could be looking at running backs after allowing Dion Lewis to leave in free agency. Michel or Chubb could be early-round options.
Thompson is a Patriots fit from a measurable standpoint if the Patriots are looking to select an athletic interior defensive lineman early.
The Patriots have two Georgia products on their roster in wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and starting center David Andrews.
