Robert Ayers is scheduled to visit the New England Patriots

[PatsChamp88]

University of Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers is scheduled to visit the New England Patriots and several other NFL teams, according to a league source.

Ayers, who previously visited the Buffalo Bills, is also set to visit the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Last season, Ayers registered a career-high 49 tackles and 15 1/2 for losses as well as three sacks. Ayers has 4.77 speed in the 40-yard dash.

A lot of 3-4 teams are evaluating him as an outside linebacker prospect.

Per: ProFootballTalk.com - Ayers Making His Move

What do you guys think? NFLDraftScout has him at Projected Round: 2 Stock: High: 8-15 Low: Mid 2

 

[bakes781]

I think his stock may have risen a little too early and as teams get a closer look he may move back to the bottom of the 1st round. I think Tyson Jackson has moved ahead of him at this point, but for the Pats I would be intrigued at #34.

 

[dryheat44]

I think he's the most overrated player in the draft. He's unathletic, has no true position, and was a non-factor at Tennessee for 3 1/2 years.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Terrorist!

 

[mayoclinic]

I think he's the most overrated player in the draft. He's unathletic, has no true position, and was a non-factor at Tennessee for 3 1/2 years.

I don't know whether he's unathletic - he looked pretty good to me. I think he clearly has a true position as a 4-3 DE. The question is whether he is athletic enough to play 3-4 OLB as well, or whether he can play SILB.

I'm not sure whether he fits the Pats, but I am intrigued by him, so I am glad we are doing due diligence and giving him a look. I'm sure Mayo has had some input regarding him, as they played together for 3 years. A visit may end up just taking him off our board if he doesn't fit, but again, I think there's enough upside and potential value there to warrant a closer inspection.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Another guy I wouldnt mind at #34 depending on what we do with #23. The guy is another solid pass rusher to add to the mix. He absoulutley terrorized Andre Smith (my boy).

 

[supafly]

This is interesting because I have been considering and thinking of Ayers lately. It may have some subliminal meaning maybe, because of last yrs immediate success with a certain Tennessee player, I dunno.

 

[Urgent]

He had a great Senior Bowl.

However, he had three sacks total last year.
He was really a one-year starter.
I'm not sure how he generated so much hype, unless all you saw was the Senior Bowl.

He does seem to be a better fit as a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB. This year there are a dozen or more 3-4 OLB candidates. I'm not sure that trying to convert Ayers is great value.

 

[mayoclinic]

He had a great Senior Bowl.

However, he had three sacks total last year.
He was really a one-year starter.
I'm not sure how he generated so much hype, unless all you saw was the Senior Bowl.

He does seem to be a better fit as a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB. This year there are a dozen or more 3-4 OLB candidates. I'm not sure that trying to convert Ayers is great value.

He got national attention at the Senior Bowl, but he wasn't unnoticed before that. He was 1st team all-SEC at DE despite only 3 sacks, so he clearly got some respect for this year's performance.

I'm personally more intrigued by Ayers as a possible SILB conversion than as a 3-4 OLB. Again, I'm not sure he's a fit, but I think he is worth taking a closer look.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I don't want to draft anyone named Robert ...

Seriously Ayers looks like a guy that will play in the league for 8-10 years and he'll do an okay job ... just not a round 1 type job IMO. There are project players with more upside than him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I've read/heard where Ayers was kicked inside to DT and didn't spend a lot of time at DE in 2008 - which shifts the perspective on those 3 sacks if true. For whatever reason, NE has been looking hard at him, I can't project him.

 

[Seneschal2]

I read that he worked out at "DT and LB" for the Pats. Curious if that was OLB or ILB. Anyone know?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I read that he worked out at "DT and LB" for the Pats. Curious if that was OLB or ILB. Anyone know?

I don't believe there are separate drills for ILB/OLB, though they may weight specific drills heavier for one more than another.