With COVID-19 changing the way everyone in the country does things, the NFL has been forced to do things differently as well.
Instead of attending pro days and hosting players on top-30 visits, teams are now getting to know players via FaceTime -- and this includes the Patriots.
According to Draft Wire's Justin Melo, the Patriots had a FaceTime meeting recently with Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland. Standing 6-foot-6, 311 pounds, he's considered one of the better tackles in the entire draft. Given his size, he's one of the more athletic tackles, running a 4.93 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Cleveland is likely to be a mid-round pick.
Another player who has been in touch with the Patriots is Michigan State defensive lineman Kenny Willekes, also per Melo.
Willekes is very athletic and earned second-team all-conference honors after leading the Spartans with 16 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last season. He could have declared for the draft last year, but broke his left fibula in MSU's bowl game. He's most known for his work ethic as he came to Michigan State as a walk-on.
He's likely to be a mid-to-late round selection.
The NFL Draft will go on as scheduled April 23-25.
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