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It’s no surprise to see that the Rams have such high interest in Lattimore, because they could use another running back to add in their committee that includes last year’s rookies Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Although another SEC back in Alabama’s Eddie Lacy is likely the best fit for the Rams committee, Lattimore can be had later on in the draft. Lacy would bring the Rams the kind of hard-nosed rushing style that would fit explosive backs Richardson and Pead the best, but it would take a second-rounder in order for the Rams to secure Lacy’s services.

Lattimore would be an interesting fit in places like Philly and San Francisco, because those running back situations seem settled. The Patriots also have plenty of depth at the position with feature back Stevan Ridley locked in, Shane Vereen poised for a significant role next season, Brandon Bolden coming off of a solid season as an undrafted free agent out of the SEC’s Ole Miss, and Leon Washington potentially getting some playing time at RB.

The Patriots also don’t have a pick from the fourth to the sixth rounds, so they would likely have to take Lattimore in the late third-round and bypass on bigger needs and more important positions. It does seem like the Pats are willing to go the “best available” route, so they could nab Lattimore if they like him enough. It is interesting to see that the Patriots are among the most interested teams in Lattimore, but I doubt he ends up in New England.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

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It is interesting to see that both the Patriots and Rams have scheduled visits with Lattimore, because the Patriots aren’t expected to be in the market for another running back. They have three solid ones in Stevan Ridley (a true feature back), Shane Vereen (an explosive all-purpose RB), and Brandon Bolden (the bulldozer). That’s also not mentioning the recently signed Leon Washington, who figures to have a role in the backfield as well.

But Lattimore is just so talented that sometimes you have to make exceptions, and I think the Patriots just want to get more of a gauge on how far he has come from the injury, as well as a broad picture of Lattimore’s health going forward. If he clears the Pats needs, then I could see the Pats taking him where the value is right. As it stands right now, the Patriots don’t have fourth or fifth round picks, so they would have to take Lattimore in the third. And even then, they might lose that pick if they decide to sign Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Emmanuel Sanders. They could have plans to trade down, but the interest in Lattimore is likely minimal.

If it is significant, though, then we’ll just have to keep our eyes peeled- nothing the Pats do surprises me anymore. That is, until it actually happens.

The Rams are high on the young running back duo of Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson to form a nice pairing in the backfield, and I am also a fan of both Pead and Richardson as well. However, it would be in the Rams best interest to add another running back to the stable, and the most speculated name is Alabama’s Eddie Lacy. Lattimore could also work, and I love that the Rams are showing what is most likely strong interest in Lattimore; they should draft another back this year.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Fresno State Bulldogs free safety Philip Thomas is an interesting prospect to look at, and Daniel Jeremiah believes that Thomas should be drafted in the Patriots range in the late second round of the draft or the early third round. Thomas, as Jeremiah notes, has excellent ball skills, but he is the worst tackling safety of anyone in this draft class. He racks up the MTs, but Thomas would fit in perfectly for a team that has a need for a safety who excels in deep coverage. The Patriots already have one of the best coverage safeties in the game in Devin McCourty, so they almost certainly won’t take Thomas.

D.J. Swearinger is a more intriguing option, and I’ve been touting him for a long time. The South Carolina Gamecocks strong safety has some coverage concerns, but sometimes those are overstated. He actually played at cornerback for a bit with South Carolina, but it is true that his biggest assets are his run defense and tackling ability. He is good enough to hold his own in coverage, but Swearinger is simply on another level elsewhere. He is the most explosive safety in this draft class, and he plays with a real viciousness and mean streak that reminds me of Brandon Spikes at the strong safety position.

Daniel Jeremiah views Swearinger as one of his favorite prospects in this draft class and tweeted this great nugget, “Watched another game on DJ Swearinger…He’s one of my favorites! He plays without brakes…always at his top speed and looking to hit someone.”

Swearinger is one of my favorite prospects too, and I think if the Pats draft a safety this year, it will be D.J. Swearinger. Mike Dussault of Pats Propaganda is also high on him and agrees that Swearinger would be a fit for the Pats in the second round of the draft.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.