USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor is among several NFL draft prospects believed to have vaulted themselves from a second-round pick into a late first-round possibility.
And the team holding the final pick of Round 1 will be among the last clubs to work him out.
The New England Patriots plan to put Agholor through the paces of a private workout, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. The Patriotshave a need at wide receiver, although there are certainly other areas the Super Bowl champions could address with the 32nd overall pick. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates Agholor as the No. 32 overall talent available in the draft, suggesting the timing for the Patriots' pick could be just right for the former Trojans star.
Agholor worked out for the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
He had his best collegiate season last season with 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns, emerging emphatically from the shadow of former USC star Marqise Lee, who was a second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. Agholor also has outstanding return skills, which could help reduce the physical toll of special teams on the Patriots' veteran return men, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman. Agholor was primarily a punt returner at USC last season, averaging 10.4 yards on 19 returns.
NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said last week that Agholor is one of the draft's fastest risers.
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