INDIANAPOLIS — The Patriots are never hesitant to double-dip in consecutive drafts.

Just because they targeted a position with a premium pick one year doesn’t mean they’ll ignore it the next. In 2014 and 2015, the Pats went the route of defensive tackle with their first-round picks, nabbing Dominique Easley and Malcom Brown, respectively.

After picking Dont’a Hightower late in the first round of the 2012 draft, the Pats snagged another linebacker, Jamie Collins, with their top selection the following year. They’ve often repeated positions within the same draft — running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley were selected 17 picks apart in 2011, defensive ends Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers were four picks apart in 2015, and the same strategy was used for Deatrich Wise and Derek Rivers two years ago.

All this is to say: Don’t rule out the Patriots drafting another offensive tackle with one of their top picks this spring.

The team’s top selection a year ago, offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, is recovering from an Achilles tear suffered in the preseason. He didn’t play as a rookie. Trent Brown was a remarkably nimble 380-pound stopgap who worked out as well as anyone could have hoped. But he’s likely to out-price the Pats in free agency. Marcus Cannon is 30 years old. LaAdrian Waddle is a free agent.

Offensive tackle won’t receive the pre-draft attention of quarterback, tight end, or wide receiver — all on the list of priorities for the Patriots — but it’s unquestionably a need.

And this week they’re busy scouting potential additions at the NFL combine.

One name to monitor: Ole Miss offensive tackle Greg Little, who, according to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, possesses an “ideal frame” for a pro tackle. He measured at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. He’s a consensus top-50 overall player.

Little played high school ball in Allen, Texas, with Oklahoma quarterback, and potential No. 1 draft pick, Kyler Murray. He lost one game in his entire high school career. Little started out as a tight end and transitioned to offensive tackle, quickly ascending up the recruiting rankings to become a top-five overall prospect entering college.

In the NFL, he’s a fringe first-rounder who touts his athleticism and natural aptitude for the position. And surely doesn’t lack confidence.

“My goal is to come in and be All-Pro in Year 1, at least by Year 2,” Little said. “I want to come in and dominate.”

Asked about his instincts, Little explained why he’s different from many players in his draft class.

“A lot of tackles limit their eyesight to the front four or the front seven,” Little said. “I’m looking downfield to the safeties. What are they doing? They tell you a lot about what’s going on in the play. My IQ is great, and I think a lot of the coaches I’ve met with were surprised how great my IQ was.”

Little met with the Patriots here and described the get-together as “relaxed” with “good vibes.”

Alabama State’s Tytus Howard, another top tackle prospect, said the Patriots are one of 10 teams that have arranged formal interviews at the combine.

Of the hundreds of prospects descending upon Indianapolis this weekend, few have a more compelling backstory than Howard. He was a 215-pound high school quarterback who walked on at Alabama State with every intention of playing tight end. Coming out of high school, he could only muster 175 pounds on the bench press. Howard was moved from tight end to tackle after one season, and coaches would check in to the dining hall to make sure he was eating enough. He packed on the pounds rapidly. Related Articles Patriots are least-penalized team after two weeks

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Today, he’s 6-5, 322 and widely considered one of the top tackle prospects.

“I always pictured myself being here; I just never pictured myself being an offensive lineman,” Howard said. “I always believed that no matter what my role was, my obstacle, I was going to get to where I was going to be. I always saw myself being an NFL player.”

The Patriots are doing their homework on both Howard and Little, and probably a dozen more offensive tackle prospects. Washington’s Kaleb McGary and Kansas State’s Dalton Risner also project as possible late-first or second-round selections.

Yes, the Pats will be searching for the successors to Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, as well as some help at the receiver position. But protecting Brady comes first.

And so offensive tackle remains an under-the-radar priority for the Patriots.