The Patriots, like all other NFL teams, have scouts and coaches dispatched across the country as they come to the tail end of their draft preparations.
Yet one thing the Patriots have traditionally done a good job at is not overlooking their own backyard. There are solid, under-the-radar football players right here in New England, such as University of New Hampshire tight end Scott Sicko.
The Patriots ran Sicko's Pro Day on campus March 10, and he performed well enough in the 40-yard dash that it caught the attention of some other clubs who weren't in attendance. The Colts came in to work him out last Monday, and Sicko is scheduled to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 12.
Patriots Daily had an extensive Q&A with Sicko, noting that he's the type of combination-type tight end that could draw their interest. It would likely be in the later rounds or in free agency.
Sicko was 6-foot-4, 251 pounds at his Pro Day. He was up to 254 pounds for the Colts private workout last week, and still ran well.
When considering all the aspects that go in to preparing for a draft, this is one area that can sometimes be overlooked. Teams must have their own backyard covered, as the Patriots' workout with Sicko shows.