New England Patriots Draft Updates: D.J. Fluker, Jordan Reed

A constant stream of NFL Combine 2013 updates regarding the New England Patriots.

Alabama Crimson Tide right tackle D.J. Fluker has been rightfully knocked for his struggles against speedy edge rushers, but his strength and run blocking ability would make him a nice fit at either RT or guard. Clocked with a forty time between 5.32 and 5.35, Fluker is on the Patriots draft radar after Mike Reiss speculated that the Pats could target Fluker if things stall between the team and Sebastian Vollmer. Fluker is expected to go in the late-first round, as Mike Mayock gives the perfect range of 20-32 for Fluker.

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Tank Carradine is an incredible defensive end prospects and would be rated just as high (or even higher) than Florida State teammate Bjoern Werner without injury concerns. But as it stands, Carradine’s injury concerns will likely keep him out of the first round. Carradine will reportedly participate  in every drill at his Pro Day with FSU.

Florida Gators tight end Jordan Reed was a key piece in the Gators offense, and he comes into the draft with a second-third round grade. Some, like the Boston Herald, are speculating that Reed could join fellow UF TE standout Aaron Hernandez on the New England Patriots. Even though I don’t see that happening, Reed did run a forty time around Hernandez’s range (low 4.6s). An excellent TE at stretching the field, Reed could be on the Pats radar.

Oregon Ducks DE Dion Jordan has been beefing up after being a “slim” DE with the Ducks in order to do the unique things that the Ducks asked him to do on defense- like cover slot wide receivers. Jordan is the most freakishly athletic player in this draft, and he did some of the most out-of-the-box things while with Oregon. Jordan isn’t a scheme fit for the Patriots and won’t fall past the top 20, but he is closely on the New York Jets radar and could very well be a top ten pick. Jordan will be out for three to four months recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum, which he actually played through while at Oregon.

Nick Underhill wonders if Dion Jordan could be a fit for the New England Patriots.

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