The Patriots are taking a look at the Honey Badger.
Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu will visit with the Patriots on April 5, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
Mathieu is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft. As a true sophomore in 2011, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist who was widely regarded as one of the best defensive players (and one of the best special teams players) in college football. But there were also questions about his size and his ability to match up with top-flight wide receivers in man coverage -- and even bigger questions were raised when Mathieu got kicked off the team at LSU, apparently for repeatedly using marijuana.
Most draft observers have Mathieu pegged as a third- or fourth-round pick. The Patriots already used their fourth-round pick on another talented but troubled cornerback in last year’s trade for Aqib Talib, but he could be a target for New England with their third-round selection, which is No. 91 overall.
