New England Patriots Top 30 Visit: Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher

Every NFL franchise is allowed to invite up to 30 draft prospects to visit their facilities and meet with the members of the organization before the NFL Draft. These selections range from first-round targets to players who might be available as undrafted free agents. As news about the New England Patriots Top 30 visits surface, Patriots Football Now will highlight each of the visitors. Today’s feature is Notre Dame offensive tackle Blake Fisher.

College Career

Blake Fisher was a four-star prospect in 247 Sports composite rankings coming out of Avon High School in Avon, Ind. He ranked as the No. 55 overall player, No. 8 offensive tackle, and No. 1 player from Indiana in the Class of 2021.

Fisher committed to Notre Dame, after receiving scholarship offers from every major program in America. He started his first game in 2021 as a true freshman. Unfortunately, Fisher injured his knee in that season opener. He did not return to the lineup until the Fishing Irish’s Fiesta Bowl game that season.

That final game of Fisher’s freshman season began a streak of 26 straight starts. He started all 13 games in 2022 at right tackle. He started Notre Dame’s first 12 games in 2023 before declaring for the NFL Draft and opting to skip the Sun Bowl.

In his two seasons as a full-time starter, Blake Fisher allowed 32 quarterback pressures, including eight sacks. He was called for seven penalties, including five last season.

Pro Football Focus gave Fisher a 72.9 grade in 2022 and a 71.1 in 2023. His pass-blocking improved, though his run-blocking grade went down slightly.

Notre Dame RT Blake Fisher (54) demonstrates how you fire off the ball. pic.twitter.com/JSghMDSp2J

— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) November 23, 2022

NFL Draft

Blake Fisher participated in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Fisher measured 6-foot-6 at the combine and weighed 310 pounds. He participated in all of the measured/timed drills, though struggled to impress alongside some of the projected top tackles in the class. Fisher ran a 5.20 40-yard dash and received an overall athleticism grade as the No. 18 offensive tackle.

The big tackle makes for more of a projection pick than a selection based on what he can currently do. Only three years removed from being one of the elite high school prospects in America, Fisher is still very young. Despite his age, he has a significant amount of experience, with 27 starts under the pressure of playing for Notre Dame.

The other aspect of Fisher’s game that makes him a projection of sorts is trying to decipher if he will be able to play left tackle in the NFL. He held down the right side in college. But was that because it was the best fit for Fisher, or simply because the best left tackle in college football, Joe Alt, was on the opposite side?

The New England Patriots have right tackle Mike Onwenu locked up for the next few seasons. If they are giving Blake Fisher a long lock in the NFL Draft, it is likely with the idea he might be able to move over to the left side at some point. While there is potential for him to transition over to the left, it is unlikely to happen in 2024. Fisher would be a potential candidate to test the Patriots “draft and develop” mantra, though it is unclear if they’ll want to use a third-round pick on somebody who is unlikely to contribute for a while. If Fisher lasts until Day 3, he becomes a much more appealing gamble.