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SPORTS

Patriots: Defensive ends win championships, so team will probably draft one

Mark Daniels, @MarkDanielsPJ
Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter, left, works with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, center, during Georgia Pro Day last month. [The Associated Press]

A continuing series looking at how the Patriots could fill need positions through the NFL Draft, April 26-28, in Dallas.

By the time Super Bowl LII was over, it was pretty clear that at least one of the Patriots’ offseason needs was defensive end.

In their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Patriots front seven put little pressure on quarterback Nick Foles and had trouble stopping the run. In free agency, the Patriots signed defensive end Adrian Clayborn to boost their defensive end depth.

With Clayborn in the fold, the Patriots should be better, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add another piece.

Heading into this season, the Patriots have some depth at the edge. Trey Flowers leads a group that now includes Clayborn, Deatrich Wise, Eric Lee, Derek Rivers, Harvey Langi and Geneo Grissom. Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy could also factor into play.

This position, however, has many variables and there are multiple avenues the Pats could explore. They could add another defensive end in the event the team can’t re-sign Flowers a year from now. They could also try to find an outside linebacker to put more depth behind Hightower, who is coming off another injury.

With five picks in the first three rounds, the Patriots have an opportunity to help their defense improve from last season. The Pats currently hold eight draft picks, including two first-round picks. Here’s a look at some candidates:

First-round candidate: Lorenzo Carter, Georgia

Carter is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound edge rusher with great size. He profiles as an outside linebacker and NFL pass rusher. Carter has excellent athleticism to go along with his lengthy frame. He had 14 sacks in his college career. Last year, he had 62 tackles, 4½ sacks and three forced fumbles. Carter was named second-team All-SEC. Bill Belichick attended his pro day.

Second-round candidate: Rasheem Green, USC

Green is a 6-5, 275-pound defensive lineman. He can play both inside and on the edge. Last season he finished with 10 sacks, four pass deflections and 12½ tackles for a loss. Green was named to the first-team All-Pac 12. He also blocked two field goals in his career. The Patriots were at Green's pro day, and he also had a private workout and official visit with the team.

Third-round candidate: Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest

At 6-4, 270 pounds, Ejiofor is a talented pass rusher. He finished college with 24 career sacks. He had 10½ in 2016 and seven sacks last season to go with 43 tackles and two forced fumbles. He was a second-team All-ACC selection. He can play on the edge and rush from the inside. Ejiofor met with the Patriots at the combine and had an official visit at Gillette Stadium.

Sixth-round candidate: Ola Adeniyi, Toledo

Adeniyi is an undersized outside linebacker/edge rusher at 6-2, 248 pounds who entered the draft a year early. Last year, he led Toledo with 20 tackles for a loss and 8½ sacks to go with three forced fumbles. He’s a high-effort player who plays with a good level of aggression. Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio attended his pro day.

Seventh-round candidate: Marcus Martin, Slippery Rock

At 6-2, 255 pounds, Martin is undersized for a defensive end. Martin is the Division II record holder for sacks (56) and tackles for loss (92½). His sack totals were eye popping — 16, 15½, nine and 15½ — over four years. He’s also a scholar athlete. Some teams see him as a fullback. The Patriots were at his pro day and put him through a receiving workout.