USC defensive end Nick Perry, projected as a late-first round pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft, has visited the New England Patriots, according to Fox Sports' Aaron Wilson.
Perry is likely to be selected around the same time the Patriots pick late in the first round. New England has both the 27th and 31st picks in round one.
The USC product, a 6-foot-3, 271-pounder, was named USC's defensive lineman of the year after leading the Pac-10 in sacks last year with 9.5. Despite his pass rushing skills, Perry is seen as a 'tweener who doesn't have a natural position in the NFL. Scouts are split about whether he should play defensive end or linebacker.
That might be a problem in many NFL systems, but Bill Belichick prizes versatility and could see Perry's 'tweener nature as a strength.
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