With the NFL Draft slated for April 25-26, this is the 13th of daily looks at a player who could be on the New England Patriots’ radar. All profiles can also be found at projo.com/patriots.

Player: Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn

Height and Weight: 6-foot-1, 295 pounds

Position: Defensive tackle

Hometown: Mobile, Ala. (Vigor HS)

Junior year: 32 tackles (15 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

Career: 114 tackles, 30 tackles for loss

Honors: Second-team All-SEC

NFL Combine numbers:

5.00 seconds (40-yard dash)

16 reps (bench press)

33inches (vertical)

9-foot-6 (broad jump)

Is he a fit for the Patriots?

Marks’ squat build and scouts’ belief that he will be able to add mass to both his upper and lower body make him a contender to play nose tackle. Vince Wilfork’s contract extension is likely priority No. 1 for New England, but while Mike Wright has filled in admirably at nose when called upon, he lacks the prototype body for the position.

A true junior, Marks decided to forego his senior year despite his least-impressive statistical season; he struggled with an ankle injury over the latter part of the season. But Marks is considered one of the best run-stoppers in this draft, using his leg drive and leverage to get the best of offensive linemen. He uses his quick hands well, and extends his arms to keep blockers off of him.

Marks will need to bulk up to take on the double-teams necessary at nose, and there are concerns about his conditioning, as scouts noted he seemed to tire easily despite not being an every-down presence on the Tigers’ line. The former Freshman All-American is projected to be taken in the second or third rounds.

smanza@projo.com