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Patriots hosting WR Foster on pre-draft visit today

Email|Link|Comments (4) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff April 7, 2009 04:00 PM

The Patriots are hosting North Carolina wide receiver Brooks Foster on a pre-draft visit at Gillette Stadium today, according to a league source.

The Pro Football Weekly Draft Guide rates Foster (6-0 1/2, 211) as a mid-round prospect. Two interesting nuggets about Foster: 1) He bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times at the Combine, the most of any receiver; 2) He was a walk-on on UNC's 2005 NCAA champion men's basketball team.

The Patriots might be double-checking medical information on Foster before placing a final grade on him. Foster had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after North Carolina's final regular season game and soreness resulted in him leaving Senior Bowl practices early, according to the Pro Football Weekly Draft Guide.

NFL teams are allowed up to 30 visits with out-of-town prospects before the draft. The purpose of those visits can vary -- from genuine interest, to a smokescreen, to a final medical check. Sometimes the visits can result in a player being ruled out by a team (e.g. if a player's interview or film work raises concerns about his ability to fit into a team's scheme).

In terms of need, the Patriots are well-stocked at receiver in 2009 with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis atop the depth chart, but they might be projecting a longer-term need at the No. 3 receiver spot.

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4 comments so far...

Mike, is this year's WR strong? What do you think about next year's? I think we need to start developing a #1/2 soon..

Posted by alex April 7, 09 06:47 PM

Sorry but the first thought that came to mind when I saw this kid's name --and transposed it--was that drunk comedian, Foster Brooks...great visual but to quote Bill, "That's not what we're looking for."

Posted by Patrick April 7, 09 09:07 PM

Alex, this is a good year to be looking for a receiver. I think you find a quality pass catcher, depending on your scheme, into round 3.
--Mike

Posted by Mike Reiss April 8, 09 02:53 AM

Maybe this is a dumb question, but the phrase "out-of-town prospects" is always used when talking about pre-draft visits.

Does that mean there is a different standard for local players that don't need travel or lodging? For example hosting a player from BC or UConn.

Posted by OTC April 8, 09 09:49 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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