Patriots draft outlook
An in-depth look at the Patriots' needs heading into the 2007 draft:
1. Inside linebacker. The Patriots desperately need to get younger at linebacker but never have taken one on the first day under Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who like to draft defensive ends and convert them. The team doesn't have the luxury of time to develop a prospect, however, because Tedy Bruschi is slowing and Mike Vrabel is better suited to playing outside. Mississippi's Patrick Willis is a first-round possibility. He doesn't have ideal size for a 3-4 inside linebacker, but he makes up for it with toughness, excellent instincts and versatility.
2. Outside linebacker. The Patriots need all-around linebacker depth and likely will draft someone to play on the outside even if after the signing of former Raven Adalius Thomas, a high-impact free agent. Tully Banta-Cain likely won't be re-signed, which will leave Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin as the only starting-caliber outside linebackers. A prospect to watch is Florida's Jarvis Moss, an end who could play outside in the 3-4.
3. Safety. Rodney Harrison is 34 and prone to injury, and Eugene Wilson regressed the past two years, so the team needs depth. The Pats like their safeties smart and tough -- a la Artrell Hawkins -- and are willing to sacrifice size. Utah's Eric Weddle is a possibility late on Day 1.
4. Wide receiver. Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney are serviceable, but the Patriots need to give Tom Brady another weapon, particularly because 2006 second-round pick Chad Jackson is unproven and coming off an injury. The offense has a steep learning curve, so whoever the team drafts will have to be a quick study.
5. Offensive line. Left tackle Matt Light had a good postseason but struggled with speed rushers all season, and protecting Brady's blind side is of the utmost importance. The Patriots don't target behemoths; they favor speedier tackles in the 6-3, 300-pound range, which makes Central Michigan's Joe Staley an intriguing possibility.
6. Cornerback. Even though the Pats ensured the return of Asante Samuel by putting the franchise tag on him, they need depth at corner. They have struck it rich in the middle rounds with Samuel and Ellis Hobbs, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the team used a fourth-round pick on a corner. Because of the team's recent struggles against tight ends, it may seek a slightly bigger prospect -- someone such as Clemson's C.J. Gaddis.
OUTLOOK
The focus will be on defense in the early rounds, considering every position except the line needs reinforcements. Although the Patriots usually don't take linebackers in the early rounds, they have a huge need at the position. If they take an offensive player with one of their two first-round picks, it likely will be a tackle. From there, one thing is certain: The team will take an offensive lineman in the middle rounds. It has continually struck gold there, from Dan Koppen to Ryan O'Callaghan.
Don't be surprised if the team swings a draft day deal. Belichick is a master of trading a pick this year for two next year and packaging picks to move up, as he did last year. Given that they have more than $25 million in salary cap space, the Patriots are expected to be active in the free-agent market. But even if they aren't, with plenty of picks, including two in the first-round, they've positioned themselves to reload a team that fell one minute shy of the Super Bowl.
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Patriots draft outlook
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