High Priorities
1. Outside linebacker
Bill Belichick may have indirectly answered this need when he drafted inside linebacker Brandon Spikes with the No. 62 pick in the second round. Spikes will compete with Tyrone McKenzie for the starting job alongside Jerod Mayo. In doing so, it should allow Gary Guyton to move to the outside, where his speed is more of an asset.
The Patriots also used a second-round selection on Jermaine Cunningham, who played defensive end for Florida. But Cunningham projects mostly as an outside linebacker for the Patriots. Belichick said he'll play on the outside of the line, either as a 3-4 linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end. Cunningham did have some outside linebacker responsibilities at times in Gainesville, dropping back in coverage during zone blitzes.
While the Pats passed on TCU outside linebacker/defensive end Jerry Hughes in the first round, they were at least able to address that area later in the draft.
2. Tight end
The Patriots might have come away with two of the three best tight ends in the draft, taking Arizona's Rob Gronkowski in the second round and Florida's Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round. Gronkowski, who celebrated like Dude Lebowski on the stage in New York, was considered to be the most complete tight end in the draft. He was the second tight end off the board and immediately projects as the Pats' starter.
Hernandez is more of a pass-catcher than a blocker, and he'll see time in the slot and off the line in two-tight end sets. Even Belichick said he was surprised Hernandez slipped into the fourth round, as three tight ends were drafted between Gronkowski and Hernandez. It's likely Belichick would have added a second tight end later in the draft, but he couldn't pass up on Henandez at that point.
3. Defensive end
New England didn't add any 3-4 defensive ends who will make an impact in 2010, but they did sign veteran free agent Gerard Warren minutes after the conclusion of the seventh round. Cunningham, Alabama's Brandon Deaderick and Georgia's Kyle Weston were the three defensive linemen the Patriots selected, but Cunningham won't play there, and Deaderick and Weston are long shots to make the roster.
Moderate Priorities
1. Cornerback
Rutgers product Devin McCourty wasn't exactly a popular pick, but he'll probably be a pretty good player down the line. It's going to be tough for him to earn consistent playing time in 2010 with Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite on the roster, but McCourty will at least get his chances in sub packages. The McCourty selection might spell the end of Terrence Wheatley's career in New England, and it could even cause the Patriots to cut ties with Springs, who sometimes fell out of favor with the coaching staff in 2009.
2. Wide receiver
There was less of a need here after Torry Holt signed last week, but the Patriots might have an all-hands-on-deck approach until Wes Welker is healthy enough to return. Ohio wideout Taylor Price has 4.3 speed, good strength, blocking ability and pass-catching qualities, so he'll be an interesting player to follow throughout the preseason. Price will compete with David Patten, Brandon Tate, Matthew Slater and Isaiah Stanback for one or two roster spots.
3. Kick/punt return
McCourty was a decent returner in college, and Price has the speed that makes him an intriguing prospect at that position. It's hard to say the Patriots made any upgrades in this area — their kick returners were especially unexciting last season — but they've got two more options to try out.
4. Right guard
After Stephen Neal briefly considered retirement, Belichick was probably reminded that there was a growing need to plan for the future at this position. Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell and Rich Ohrnberger are next up on the depth chart, and Belichick added North Carolina State lineman Ted Larsen into the mix. Connolly can ably replace Neal in the event of an injury, and Larsen is more of a long-term project.
5. Punter
David King, a former Aussie rules player with zero NFL experience, was the only punter on the roster, so the Pats needed to go after someone in the draft. Belichick moved back four spots in the second round to acquire Houston's fifth-round pick, knowing that's where he could take Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko, who averaged 42.5 yards per punt in college. Mesko's outgoing personality will make him an immediate hit in Foxboro, and he's a virtual lock to make the roster.
6. Running back
It was mildly surprising the Patriots didn't add a running back with this draft class, but Belichick's lack of aggressiveness to do so indicates the right player would have had to fall to them to go that route. C.J. Spiller and Ryan Mathews were long gone before the Pats picked in the first round, and the right fit apparently wasn't there as the draft wore on. While it might be an unpopular approach with the fan base, Belichick is perfectly comfortable with the committee approach. Consider it a virtual certainty the Patriots will sign an undrafted free agent this week in time for the weekend's rookie camp.
Low Priorities
1. Quarterback
The Pats are happy with backup Brian Hoyer, but some extra competition is never a bad thing. New England grabbed Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson with the 250th selection in the draft, giving them a talented collegiate player with some good tools to build on. It would probably be an ideal situation to get Robinson onto the practice squad, but if he plays well enough, he might warrant a roster spot.
