With the NFL Draft slated for April 25-26, this is the sixth in a series 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: Connor Barwin, Cincinnati

Height and Weight: 6-foot-4, 256 pounds

Position: Defensive end/tight end in college, likely linebacker in NFL

Hometown: Hazel Park, Mich. (U. of Detroit Jesuit)

Senior year: 53 tackles (27 solo), 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 8 passes defensed, 3 blocked punts

Honors: First-team All-Big East defense

NFL Combine numbers:

4.59 seconds (40-yard dash)

21 reps (bench press)

40 ½ inches (vertical)

10-foot-8 (broad jump)

Is he a fit for the Patriots?

Considering that one draft site calls him a “Mike Vrabel clone,” that would seem like a yes. Barwin was the Bearcats’ top tight end (31 receptions, 399 yards, 2 touchdowns) as a junior, but was switched to defensive end his senior season and responded with 11 sacks. He may be on the move again, as the feeling is he could be a rush outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. But the one constant with Barwin: He was a special-teams ace at Cincinnati.

The athletic Barwin was a member of the Bearcats’ basketball team his freshman and sophomore years, and was the top performer among defensive ends in nearly every event at the Combine. He’s a relentless pass rusher, uses his hands well, and is very coachable with a high football IQ and strong work ethic.

Barwin’s inexperience on defense is a drawback, and he isn’t real smooth when changing direction or in coverage in the flat.

smanza@projo.com