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Vernon Butler and Chris Jones among 'favorite five' for Patriots at DT

Leading into the NFL draft, my "favorite five" prospects for the New England Patriots at their five primary positions of need -- running back, cornerback, offensive tackle, defensive tackle and wide receiver -- will be highlighted. Part IV is on defensive tackles:

Vernon Butler (Louisiana Tech): The 6-foot-3 5/8 and 323-pound Butler stands out from a physical traits standpoint, with body mass, power, and 35-inch arm length that make him a natural, versatile fit for what the Patriots like to do with their multiple fronts. It's probably a stretch to think he'd be there at No. 60/61, but if he slides into 10- to 15-pick range of the Patriots' first selection, he'd be the type of player I could see the club considering moving up to select.

Adam Gotsis (Georgia Tech): Likely more of a consideration in the third-round range or later, the first question with the 6-foot-4 1/2, 287-pound Gotsis is if his medical file checks out after he was a medical exclusion (knee) from the combine. A team captain with high-end intangibles, he has versatility to fit in various spots and a mix of physical traits (e.g. athleticism, power, big hands) worthy of consideration of harnessing.

Austin Johnson (Penn State): The 6-foot-4 3/8, 314-pound Johnson is expected to be off the board within the first two rounds and is a powerful player whose best work has come against the run. While every draft pick is a projection of sorts, Johnson's upward arc and overall body of work in college makes him one of the safer picks in the draft. If he's available at No. 60/61, it would be good value.

Chris Jones (Mississippi State): One of the more athletic defensive tackles in the draft for his size, the long-armed, 6-foot-5 3/4, 310-pound Jones would fall into the Jamie Collins category of selecting a player based more on his physical traits/future projection than a consistent level of production in college. He's an early-round consideration whose versatility to play multiple roles along the line fits well in the Patriots' multiple scheme.

Hassan Ridgeway (Texas): A former teammate of 2015 first-round pick Malcom Brown with the Longhorns, the 6-foot-3 3/8, 303-pound Ridgeway enters the draft after his junior season and comes with questions after failing to follow up an impressive sophomore season with as productive of a junior campaign. Injuries might have been part of the slide, but Ridgeway's athleticism and physical traits still warrant consideration early if his medical file checks out.

PREVIOUS POSTS

Part I: Running backs

Part II: Cornerbacks

Part III: Offensive tackles