From the Indianapolis Combine, it's the Patriots Draft Countdown presented by Bud Light.

Easy to drink, easy to enjoy.

Bud Light, the official beer sponsor of the New England Patriots. It's Matt Smith, along with Mike Dousseau. The Combine is rolling on here in Indy. Mike, you're excited about the tight end position today. I am. Tell us why. Well, Mike Vable got me excited about it yesterday, Matt, when he was asked about what positions he might be looking at.

Everyone wants to talk about the edge position, but... I am. Tell us why. Well, Mike Varybel got me excited about it yesterday, Matt, when he was asked about

what positions he might be looking at. Everyone wants to talk about the edge position, but I was surprised to hear him say, this isn't a stack, tight end class by any means. I mean, you know, I think a top, you have a clear number one in Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon, he's a very athletic player, and I could see him fit for the Patriots, but really looking more at the lower round

prospects. You know, those day two guys, could there from Oregon, who's a very athletic player, and I can see him fit for the Patriots, but really looking

more at the lower round prospects. You know, those day two guys, could there be an opportunity for the

Patriots to draft a young athletic tight end, maybe develop him behind Hunter Henry? They have a

decision to make on Austin Hooper as well. So I'm intrigued. Max Clare, player from Ohio State,

just listening to him a second ago,

very athletic, maybe underutilized in that offense was one guy that stood out to me. So I think especially when we get back from the combine, Matt, we've got to dig a little bit more into these tight ends. I don't think Mike Vrable brought it up for no reason. When you talk tight ends, Mike, are you talking about a traditional tight end, meaning a guy who, I heard Mike talk yesterday about the different kind of blocking schemes that they want to use with a tight end.

To me, when I hear that, that sort of takes a guy like Isaiah likely off the list if you were thinking about do you want to augment free agency. So that tells me maybe in the draft they're looking for the more bigger body kind of a guy. Yeah, that's a good point. And I mean, I wouldn't, you know, still rule out Isaiah likely.

I mean, I think the Patriots have shown over the past few years that they've gotten by

without that traditional wide, tight end that can really block and get in there.

We talk so much about getting Drake May weapons.

I see this as an opportunity to get a weapon and to get, you know, somebody young

that Drake May can develop with and become that safety blanket. We saw Rob Grankowski. I mean, there's not another Gronk out there. He's very special. He's one of those guys who can block and can run, you know, and can do everything offensively. But I think overall, this is a class that you need talent. And if there's guys on day three that peak your interest, that's what Mike Vrabel said. Seems like every time we're scouting these matchups, there seems to be a couple day two, day three type tight ends that play and contribute. So I'm not picky, but I'd love to see a real athlete get in there. One of the other people who is going to have a say in who they're drafting and maybe drafting a tight end is the Patriots new director of college scouting, Tony Kinkala. And you and Evan Lazar had a chance to speak with him earlier in the week. All right, we're excited to be joined now by Tony Kinkella, the director of college scouting for the Patriots. Tony, thanks for joining us here at the Combine. I know you're busy. No, shoot, yeah, it's a great week, but great to be here. Appreciate you guys having me and look forward to it. How many call mines is this for you?

This is number 17 for me 17 in all and do you still love it yeah i mean i get to watch football for a living so it's hard for that to get old how much i mean i know you guys have done all the work with the scouting and you get to here and you get to do the medicals and all that. But is the most valuable part getting to sit down in a room with these guys and really get a

sense of them?

Yeah, I would say so.

It's, you know, we do so much work, you know, August, September, through the season,

into December, All-Star Games, things like that.

...