Report: Patriots Bring In Versatile Defensive Lineman For Pre-Draft Visit

The New England Patriots are bringing in some new players in order to fortify the roster for the upcoming season. This time they brought in a defensive lineman.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle confirmed that the New England Patriots are one of the few teams to host Kingsley Keke.

League sources confirm that Texas A&M defensive tackle Kingsley Keke will visit Texans, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He will also have private workouts with the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans.

Keke played at 305 pounds during his junior year at A&M. He was 285 as a senior, and weighed 288 at the NFL Scouting Combine. After losing weight, Keke played tackle and end in 2018 and had a career year. Keke had 51 tackles, 7 ½ sacks, 11 tackles for loss, one forced fumble one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.

When it comes to the D-linemen at the combine, Keke was ninth in the 40-yard dash (4.95 seconds) and 11th in both the three-cone drill (7.55) and the short shuttle (4.46).

In his NFL.com draft profile, Lance Zierlein called him a “potentially polarizing prospect as some teams could struggle with his best fit in the league.”

“With his athletic ability and functional strength,” Zierlein wrote, “a role as base in a 4-3 scheme with the ability to reduce inside is most likely. One-gapping 3-4 defenses could target him as well, but he’ll need to add aggressiveness at the point of attack for that role. Keke could step into an early backup spot, but he possesses enough natural ability to aim for an eventual starter or designated rusher role.”

The Patriots will have to add some depth to their defensive line. They lost Trey Flowers to the Detroit Lions. Malcolm Brown signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints, Adrian Clayborn was cut and Danny Shelton may go, too. The team signed defensive tackle Mike Pennel and traded for defensive end Michael Bennett. But, they will still need some help at both positions. Is Keke coming to Foxboro to play alongside Tom Brady, Julian Edelman and the rest of the guys?