The Patriots are reportedly hosting Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson and Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery on upcoming pre-draft visits at their facility.
Ersery could be a target at the top of the second round, where the Patriots are scheduled to pick at No. 38 overall, or late in the first round, should they trade up on Day 1 of the draft. He’s a 6-foot-6, 331-pounder who played left tackle in college and is seen as a toolsy prospect who needs further development.
Sampson rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He recently clocked a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He’s also had fumbling issues, which may have affected his draft stock as a projected third-round pick.
Martin is an athletic, undersized linebacker who missed time last season. He stands at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds. In 2023, he racked up 140 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions. He clocked a 4.53 at the NFL combine and 26 bench press reps at 225 pounds.
Extra points
In the latest edition of his 199 newsletter, Tom Brady shed more light Monday on his decision to leave New England as a free agent in March 2020. Brady wrote: “For me, it was a creeping decision that lived passively in the back of mind for 2-3 years until March of 2020 when a whirlwind of a few days made me realize that a decision was coming sooner rather than later. The reality was, after twenty years together, a natural tension had developed between where Coach Belichick and I were headed in our careers, and where the Patriots were moving as a franchise. It was the kind of tension that could only be resolved by some kind of split or one of us reassessing our priorities.” … Ex-Patriots linebacker Curtis Jacobs and center Lecitus Smith have found new homes, landing in Tennessee and Pittsburgh, respectively. Both were claimed off waivers after getting cut last week. … Vrabel is scheduled to speak with reporters during the AFC coaches breakfast on Monday at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting in West Palm Beach, Fla.
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