New England Patriots hosting Kolton Miller on top-30 visit
The New England Patriots are hosting UCLA offensive lineman Kolton Miller on a top-30 visit.
The New England Patriots have been busy at work prepping for the 2018 NFL Draft next week. The Patriots have a few different areas of need heading into the draft.
A lot of discussions thus far with New England has revolved around the quarterback position. While the Patriots have arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time under center in Tom Brady, they had to prep for the future. Brady is going to be 41 when the season begins. The only other quarterback on the roster is 32-year old Brian Hoyer.
As a result, picking a quarterback for the future has been discussed. New England has been linked to Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson. There have been varying degrees of reported interest from New England, with Rudolph getting the most attention.
Quarterback is a long-term need for New England. In the short-term, they have more pressing needs. Arguably at the top of that list is the offensive line.
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New England lost left tackle Nate Solder in free agency. Solder signed with the New York Giants, becoming the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history. That was not something Bill Belichick and company were going to match.
New England has some options that can help replace Solder. Antonio Garcia, who missed his rookie season because of blood clots, will be given a chance. LaAdrian Waddle was also re-signed, while Matt Tobin was brought in.
All three will be given a chance, but the NFL Draft provides the Patriots with a chance to add more options. One player to keep an eye on is UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller.
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Patriots are hosting Miller on a top-30 visit. Miller impressed at the NFL Combine, recording the longest broad jump at 10 feet, one inch. That is the longest mark for an offensive lineman since 2003. Miller also had a good 40-yard dash with 4.91 seconds.
Standing 6-feet-9 inches and weighing in at 310 pounds, Miller has actually drawn comparisons to Solder. That would seem to make him a logical target for New England in the first round.
Patriots are hosting UCLA OT Kolton Miller today on a top 30 visit, per league source. Was Josh Rosen’s blindside protector last year. 6-9, 310 pounds, and set the Combine record for OL with a 10-1 broad jump. A definite first-round possibility for the Pats to replace Solder
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) April 16, 2018
New England is armed with two first-round picks this year. That will be important because they have the draft capital to maneuver around the draft board if they so choose to. The Patriots can trade up if there is a prospect that they like, or move down and receive even more assets in the draft.
New England is in a good spot right now in the draft. They are very active during the draft making moves and excel at this time of the year.
Look for New England to seriously consider an offensive lineman early in the draft. Linebacker, specifically a pass rusher, is also near the top of the Patriots to-do list.