You've heard some about private workouts and combine interviews and such over the last few weeks.

Now comes the next step. Over the next few weeks, the Patriots will begin hosting prospects and we've nailed down one of the first on his way.

TCU pass-rushing demon Jerry Hughes will visit Gillette Stadium on Monday. The club is allowed to bring 30 prospects into Foxborough for visits. They can indicate legitimate interest. They can be smokescreens. They can be done to check out a guy's medicals. They can be done to tie up a loose end in a guy's file.

The hosting team isn't allowed to work the player out, but can conduct interviews and a physical, and do board work with a player.

I had some analysis on Hughes on the blog and in my Sunday Notes a few weeks back. You can go here to check out some of the video on the kid.

If the Patriots want to take this one, it'll likely cost them a first-round pick.