How much should we look into the players the Patriots host for official top-30 pre-draft visits? It's hard to say.
Sometimes there's legitimate interest, sometimes it's for medical purposes, and other times it is just a smokescreen. A look back at who the Patriots have hosted the last few years says there's a good chance at least one player hosted on a pre-draft visit will be selected by the team.
Last year even though the Patriots made only four selections, one was a player they hosted on a pre-draft visit -- offensive tackle Tony Garcia. They also hosted Josh Augusta, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. In 2016, there was Malcolm Mitchell and in 2015 there were four players: A.J. Derby, Matthew Wells, Geneo Grissom, and Xzavier Dickson.
So, who are the players who have taken top-30 visits to New England this year?
Here are a few names based on reports (Mike Loyko has compiled a pretty solid list): Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville), Rashaan Evans (LB, Alabama), Leighton Vander Esch (LB, Boise State), Christian Sam (LB, Arizona State), Connor Williams (OT, Texas), Tyrell Crosby (OT, Oregon), Colton Miller (OT, UCLA), Christian Kirk (WR, Texas A&M), D.J. Moore (WR, Maryland) and Calvin Ridley (WR, Arizona).
Based on past history, don't be surprised if one of those players gets their name called by the Patriots.
