WEEI.com has confirmed a report that Tennessee defensive tackle/outside linebacker Robert Ayers has worked out for the Patriots. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Ayers, who started at right defensive end with the Vols, posted career highs in tackles (49) and tackles for loss (15.5) as a senior, good enough for first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He followed that up with an excellent Senior Bowl which sent him into the Top 15 in the minds of some draft experts. At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, Ayers worked out with the linebackers, and many believe if he lost some weight, he could make the transition into the outside linebacker spot in the 3-4 defense in the pros.

With the Patriots, sources say Ayers worked out at both defensive tackle and linebacker.