Brandon Spikes‘ absence was the headline after Day 1, and there is still plenty of thoughts, information and opinion to sift through on that front. But there will be much more to talk about on Tuesday, when we actually see the players practice together for the first time.

Until then, here’s a look at some of the biggest storylines to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.

1. Tom Brady’s chemistry with Danny Amendola, other new receivers

Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd, the Patriots’ two most productive wideouts from 2012, are gone, and there is an entirely new cast of characters for Brady to work with this season. Amendola is at the head of that class after signing a five-year, near-$30 million deal in free agency. He’s already spent some time working out with Brady this offseason, and expectations are high as he’ll forever be compared to Welker.

Rookies Aaron Dobson (second round) and Josh Boyce (fourth round) will also be heavily scrutinized as they try and adapt to the Patriots’ complex offense. Don’t forget about veterans Michael Jenkins, Donald Jones and Lavelle Hawkins, either. Those three could be battling it out for a final roster spot come the end of August.

2. Jake Ballard’s ability to replace Rob Gronkowski

Gronk underwent surgery for the fourth time on his left forearm on Monday and there is a real possibility that he’ll need an operation on his back soon as well. The recovery time could keep Gronk out until midway through training camp, making it even more imperative for Ballard to integrate seamlessly into this offense.

Now fully recovered from a torn ACL, Ballard should be able to get on the field and show off the impressive talents that made Tom Coughlin publicly berate Bill Belichick for “cheating.” Ballard had 38 catches and four touchdowns in his only season in 2011, and his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame lines up nicely with Gronk’s. As for further tight end depth, keep a lookout for Michael Hoomanawanui and Daniel Fells, as it is unlikely that all three will make the final roster.

3. How LeGarratte Blount conforms to the Patriot Way

Blount has a long and well-documented history of behavioral issues, dating all the way back to this sucker punch in his final game at Oregon. While categorized as a loose cannon, Blount is also an extremely talented running back. Both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen had positive things to say about their new teammate, which is a good start. Positive first impressions are nice, but how he conforms to the Patriots’ program and a backup role will be even more important. His attitude and demeanor throughout will be a big focus as he attempts to land a roster spot.

4. Jamie Collins filling in for Brandon Spikes at linebacker

Even before Spikes decided not to attend OTAs, there was thought that his replacement may already be in house. The Patriots spent a second-round pick on Collins in this year’s draft, and he seems like just the sort of athlete Belichick wants at the outside linebacker position. Spikes is a stout run defender, that can’t be questioned, but his coverage skills could use some work. It will be interesting to see how much time Collins spends working alongside Jerod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower, and how he is acclimating alongside them.

5. Defensive line turnover

Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick are now in Jacksonville, meaning two of the key components to the Patriots’ defense from a season ago are gone. Offseason additions of former USC star Armond Armstead and veteran Tommy Kelly should help with the wholesale turnover on the defensive line. Armstead was a fringe first-round pick before sitting out his senior season at USC and being forced north of the border to play in the CFL last season, while Kelly has been a dominant interior lineman in the NFL for nearly a decade. The two of them should help firm up the interior of the line and provide more of a pass rushing presence alongside Vince Wilfork. But are they already in tune with the system, or will it take time?

We’ll have full coverage of Patriots OTAs here on NESN.com, so check back starting on May 21 for answers to these questions and so much more.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

During his rookie season, Hightower leaned heavily on Mayo for direction and leadership in how to acclimate to not just the NFL but more importantly to the Patriots’ program. By season’s end he still didn’t feel 100 percent integrated, but the now second-year linebacker says the veteran leadership is what helped him find his way.

“Definitely learned a lot,” Hightower said of the 2012 season. “I learned a lot when I first came in. I learned a lot during, and then even now. Learning just little smaller tricks. Things from Mayo. The linebacker corps as a whole, we’re all pretty close. We all work together. So we all take tips and tricks from everybody.”

Hightower, who turned 23 during the offseason, used the examples of those veterans as a framework for his own game as the season wore on — and the results were noticeable. His presence as a consistent run stopper and capable pass rusher helped in the Patriots’ development on defense and was a major cog in their run to the AFC Championship Game.

With that successful season now behind him, Hightower is looking solely toward the future, which now includes a new class of rookies. Hightower has spent the early stages of offseason workouts with some of the new rookies, getting to know them as people and offering them a hand in the development process. Much like Mayo did for him as a rookie, Hightower is now trying to be a resource for some of his new teammates — namely second-round pick and fellow linebacker Jamie Collins.

“Yeah, me and Jamie actually hung out the other night and watched the basketball game,” Hightower said of the Patriots’ new defender. “He’s a real cool dude, he works hard. I don’t think he’s going to have a problem at all jumping in, fitting in. Whether it’s at linebacker or defensive end or wherever he’s going to be at. He’s going to bring athleticism and versatility to the team. That’s why we got him.”

A versatile linebacker himself, Hightower fully understands the sort of value that Collins can add to this defense. He’s got great speed, an incredible vertical leap (41 1/2 inches) and a NFL combine record-setting broad jump (139 inches), giving the Patriots exactly the type of athlete they need to help out in coverage. Hightower recognizes that and is doing all he can to impart wisdom onto the young linebacker, even offering sound advice.

“Just pick out notes, mental and just do everything they did,” Hightower said of following the veterans’ lead. “That’s the biggest thing once you have somebody older. You just copy whatever they do and you’ll be fine.”

Normally, second-year players are still developing both on and off the field, but Hightower seems to be well ahead of the curve. He sounds ready to contribute in a much bigger way on the field this season, but he’s clearly taking on a more active role off the field, as well.

“I’m trying to graduate a little bit more than that, trying to become a little bit more of a leader,” Hightower said. “Not necessarily the Vince Wilforks or the Mayos, but just one those guys that everybody looks up to and sees their work ethic.”

While he’s actively ready for a more prominent role in leading the Patriots this season, Hightower won’t be the leader of the Patriots defense — and he’s more than fine with that.

“That’s going to be down the road, hopefully,” Hightower added. “Hopefully, Tom [Brady] and Vince and Mayo [are] going to be here for a long time. But if I was ever asked to step up and do that role, I’d be honored to do that.”

His time will come soon enough. But, for now, at least Bill Belichick knows he has yet another leader to rely on.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Jones was in New England for a workout on Thursday, as the Patriots took at least an exploratory look at adding the versatile runner. With a stable already well-equipped with workhorses – Stevan Ridley, Brandon Bolden  and LeGarrette Blount – and change-of-pace backs – Shane Vereen and Leon Washington — the Patriots don’t seem to need an additional pair of legs.

Now, depth is something that every team is in search of, and Jones would help fill that need at running back. He would also provide some competition for the group over the summer, pushing Vereen and Washington and challenging for a roster spot.

Jones, who just recently turned 26, isn’t fit to be an every-down back in the NFL, and his injury history, which has limited him to just two fully healthy seasons, only proves that point. In a place like New England, Jones wouldn’t be expected to be that primary ball carrier, though. His principal role with the Patriots would be to alter the pace of the offense and catch the ball out of the backfield — something he excelled at in Dallas.

While he never carried the full load with the Cowboys, always deferring to a two-back system, Jones did consistently contribute in the passing game. He caught 48 passes in 2010 followed by 33 in 2011 and 25 in limited action last season. That sort of production would help the Patriots account for the loss of Danny Woodhead, but that’s even if Jones was given the opportunity.

Vereen was already stealing snaps away from Woodhead at the end of the last season, finally asserting himself as the versatile back the Patriots were hoping for when they used a second-round pick on him in 2011. Add Washington’s ability as a third-down back into the mix, and suddenly Jones’ place on the Patriots becomes even less certain.

Jones has the talent and ability to make an impact in the Patriots’ offense. His speed and flexibility even make him a perfect fit for the fast-paced spread style that Josh McDaniels enjoys so much. But between the grind-it-out work of Ridley and the presence of both Vereen and Washington, Jones would just seem like more of a redundancy than anything else.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing him into camp and giving him a go but, even for a player as supremely talented as Jones, he seems more like overflow than a nice, clean fit.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Photo via Facebook/Dallas Cowboys

Tom Brady

Steelers safety Ryan Clark charged Brady with seeing ghosts on the field at times during an interview on Monday, referencing the quarterback’s tendency to flinch or duck while in the backfield. But, while most quarterbacks would gawk at the apparent criticism, Brady is well aware of his tick. In fact, he considers it part of his game.

“It’s not something you think about, it’s just instinctive,” Brady said of his shifty behavior, during his Week 10 news conference last season.

Brady’s instincts are characteristics that separates him from nearly every other quarterback in football. His ability to read, understand and anticipate defenses allow him to decipher and execute plays that many can not.

He doesn’t electrify crowds with the same sort of breathtaking plays like Michael Vick or Robert Griffin III. His game isn’t built on speed or athleticism. Instead, it’s predicated on awareness, precision and protection, which is exactly where his twitchy tendencies take hold.

Over the past three seasons, Brady has been sacked a total of 84 times, which ranks as the fifth fewest among full-time starting quarterbacks. The only quarterbacks sacked fewer times were Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman (83), Atlanta’s Matt Ryan (77), New Orleans’ Drew Brees (75) and the New York Giants’ Eli Manning (an astonishing 63). For comparisons sake, both Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (118) and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco (106), who won two of the past three Super Bowls, were taken down considerably more often.

Brady’s low sack total is only proof that his dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge method — the five D’s of dodgeball for all you scoring at home — does work. The Patriots’ offensive line does deserve some credit of their own in the feat. Then again, Brady’s intention is to take pressure off the line as it is.

“Hopefully it’s something where you can buy a little more time for your offensive line back there and stepping up and moving in the pocket is always important for a quarterback to do,” Brady added during that same week last season. “We work on drills and so forth. It’s just a matter of doing it at the right time.”

When it comes down to it, Brady’s so-called “instincts” are are just a product of hard work and anticipation. There is also no doubt that he’s watched enough film on each opponent to know how much time he’ll have in the pocket, but it’s that sort of preparation that makes the Patriots’ offense so dangerous year-in and year-out.

So, Clark and the rest of the NFL can continue chirping about how Brady “sees ghosts.” It won’t bother him one bit. He’ll just keep dipping and dodging his way away from pressure and, if history is any indicator, right on into the playoffs.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Bill Belichick‘s infatuation with Rutgers players has been well documented over the past few seasons. The love affair began when the Patriots took Devin McCourty with their first-round pick in 2010, and it finally came to a head during this year’s NFL draft with the selection of three Scarlet Knight players, and the undrafted addition of a fourth.

But just as the relationship between the two programs appears to be growing deeper, the direction of the college football winds may be moving the Patriots’ operation just a tad farther south — down into Happy Valley, Penn.

Belichick’s love affair with the Rutgers’ program initially stemmed from his close relationship with former Rutgers and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano. Much like Belichick, Schiano recruited and coached players with great character, intelligence and commitment to football, making the transition into the Patriots’ system nice and smooth.

Belichick even expanded upon the connection after the final day of the 2013 NFL draft.

“I’d say the players he recruits and the program he runs is in a lot of ways similar to what we do,” Belichick said. “So the fact that he’s recruited those kids four to five years ahead of when they come into this league and they’ve been in a program that’s, in a lot of ways, probably similar to ours, then it’s probably not that surprising that we would like some of the kids he’s produced, both talent-wise and total makeup.”

But now, with Schiano gone at Rutgers, Bill O’Brien and Penn State seem primed to be the Patriots’ new feeder program.

O’Brien spent five seasons coaching in New England, ascending up to the role of offensive coordinator in 2011 and becoming one of Belichick’s most-trusted advisors. He, too, preaches many of Belichick’s core principles and has already begun building the Penn State program around them. So, the Patriots’ future connections in Happy Valley are obvious and, in fact, have already begun.

While the Rutgers’ storyline got all the attention, the Patriots quietly signed two undrafted Penn State players to their roster to consummate the new relationship. The two are center Matt Stankiewitch (pronounced “Stank-ev-itch”) and cornerback Stephon Morris, both of whom were very productive with the Nittany Lions, but are long shots to make the Patriots’ final 53-man roster.

Even with that long -shot tagline, Morris admitted that he bypassed other teams in favor of the Patriots under O’Brien’s guidance.

“O’Brien pretty much led me here,” Morris revealed during last weekend’s rookie minicamp. “I had other opportunities, but even before the draft I wanted to become a Patriot. Talking to coach O’Brien, it felt like this was the best place for me to be. Just when I came here, I just felt like it’s a great tradition and I’m very proud of it.”

As an undersized (5-foot-8) defensive back, Morris is at something of a disadvantage in his battle for a roster spot, but he still joined the Patriots anyway. Stankiewitch, conversely, has a huge advantage in his attempt to make the team, given his experience in O’Brien’s pro-style — or should we say Patriots style — offense last season. His comfort level with the system, along with some prodding from O’Brien, led him to New England, too.

“I felt comfortable with the coaches,” Stankiewitch said of his decision. “I felt comfortable with the situation, and I felt comfortable with the whole system — the whole New England Patriots’ atmosphere, the way they conduct themselves and the way they want you to be a football player.”

Much like with Schiano’s players at Rutgers, O’Brien is growing more than just individual football players. He’s building young athletes into mature young men, and Belichick has taken notice.

Signing two undrafted free agents doesn’t necessarily indicate a trend. By week 1, the names Morris and Stankiewitch may even be long forgotten, erasing all remnants of Nittany Lion blue from the Patriots’ locker room. But these two players are just the start of a long and promising relationship.

No, the Patriots won’t only be pulling from the Penn State pool. Belichick still has strong ties elsewhere around college football, including with Alabama head coach Nick Saban, and they seem to be as strong as ever. It might take a few years before the Patriots draft a Penn State player and there might even be a few final strings in the Rutgers’ program. Schiano’s final recruiting class has two more years before graduation and it will be at least another two before any of O’Brien’s recruits are even eligible for the draft. But, eventually, it will happen.

Sooner or later, Rutgers will become a fad of the past for the Patriots, and they’ll no doubt be looking for a new grooming partner to work with. Just don’t be surprised if they’ve already found it, or if it just happens to be Penn State.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

The Patriots always seem to be one of those test cases. First, it was the aggressive press coverage of their cornerbacks, which forced the league to more strictly enforce the five-yard illegal contact rule. Soon after came the versatile passing game based around receiver Wes Welker, and then, of course, the fast-paced approach that yielded a near NFL record 74.4 offensive snaps per game in 2012.

This offseason, most of the attention seems focused on the read-option offense that hit the NFL last season. But, even with that fad taking center stage, some teams continue to use the Patriots as the framework of their rebuilding plan.

This time it’s the Patriots tight ends that are being mimicked, as teams look to find their own Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski clones.

Gronk’s pure power and red zone prowess combined with Hernandez’s quickness and versatility make them a dangerous assignment for any defense. The proof is right there in the statistics, too, as the two tight ends have been the focal point of the Patriots’ offense over the past three seasons, catching 35 percent (398 total) of Tom Brady‘s completions, accounting for 32 percent of the team’s receiving yards (4,519) and 51 percent of their passing touchdowns (56).

Other teams noticed the advantage of having two dominant tight ends and decided to adopt the same philosophy.

The Ravens took the same approach as the Patriots in 2010, drafting Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson similarly in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. But even as they continue to emerge, it’s still Gronk and Hernandez that other teams attempt to emulate.

The 49ers created their own pseudo version of the Patriots’ tight end attack over the past few seasons with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. The duo didn’t quite live up to the Patriots’ production, but they provided a sound basis for the 49ers’ offense all the way to within moments of a Super Bowl victory. Walker got big money from the Tennessee Titans this offseason, but Jim Harbaugh didn’t waste any time replacing him, taking Rice tight end Vance McDonald midway through the second round (55th overall) of this year’s draft.

The Bengals and Cowboys made similar moves, adding onto already stable tight end positions with high draft picks of their own. Cincinnati selected Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert 21st overall, just three years after taking Jermaine Gresham at the exact same position in the first round. Dallas then spent their second-round pick (47th overall) on San Diego State’s Gavin Escobar, giving Jason Witten a steady complement at the position.

The Eagles took Zach Ertz early in the second round, too, and there is a chance he’ll serve in a two-tight end set, but it’s more likely that he will be more of a replacement than a complement for Brent Celek.

Others teams around the league still haven’t embraced the two-tight end concept, but the movement is gaining traction. With the 49ers, Bengals and Cowboys all following the Patriots’ framework, it appears that tight end fever is quickly becoming a league-wide epidemic.

Now, the Patriots just hope their own tight ends can avoid the injury trends and get back to setting them.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

The Patriots came away from draft weekend with seven draft picks and a whole truckload of undrafted free agents to add to an already stocked roster. Of the group, four players had one distinct connection: they all played at Rutgers.

Cornerback Logan Ryan (third round), safety Duron Harmon (third round), linebacker Steve Beauharnais (seventh round) and cornerback Brandon Jones (undrafted free agent) were all teammates under now Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers, and they will continue to be, for the time being at least, in New England.

Bill Belichick has the utmost respect for Schiano and his coaching philosophy, which is evidenced by their engagement in trades involving both Aqib Talib and LeGarrette Blount over the past year. But it’s definitely more than coincidence or friendship that has Belichick coming back to the well.

“I think certainly it’s coincidental to a degree,” Belichick said. “But I just would say that the players – I mean, I’ve known Coach Schiano for quite a while. I’d say the players he recruits and the program he runs is in a lot of ways similar to what we do.”

Schiano is known to run a very tight-knit system, much like the Patriots. He doesn’t stand for attitude problems or bad behavior, and he is one of the few others coaches who truly values a player’s character and intelligence. So, it’s no wonder Belichick would be interested in some of his players.

“The fact that he’s recruited those kids four to five years ahead of when they come into this league and they’ve been in a program that’s, in a lot of ways, probably similar to ours, then it’s probably not that surprising that we would like some of the kids he’s produced, both talent-wise and total makeup.”

Belichick does have an inside track into the Rutgers program that goes even beyond his relationship with Schiano. His son Steve, who is now a coaching assistant with the Patriots, was a long snapper on the Rutgers football team for one season in 2011. So, he has a good feel for the pulse of the program and can vouch for a lot of them as both players and men. But the connection is rooted much deeper than that. For Belichick’s interest isn’t with the program itself, but rather the sorts of players it breeds.

“I would say certainly with this group, these three guys (excluding Jones), they’re all very bright. Football is important to them,” Belichick said. “They’ve all been productive. They’re unselfish players. They work hard for the team. They do a lot of little things in the game like communication and special teams and all those types of things. So there’s a common thread: they’re football guys that work hard at it, that have had good careers there and that continue to get better because it’s important to them. And they’re smart, instinctive players.”

This isn’t the first time the Patriots have reached into the Scarlet Knights’ program for players, either. Defensive back Devin McCourty started the trend as a first-round pick in 2010. Defensive end Alex Silvestro continued it in 2011, signing as an undrafted free agent, and defensive lineman Justin Francis followed suit, joining on after the draft, just last year. In each case, it wasn’t about the players donning scarlet jerseys on their backs, but the skills they possessed and the qualities that were ingrained in them during their four years at Rutgers. The same goes for these four players, too.

The Patriots are still serious championship contenders and plan to be for at least a few more seasons. The coaching staff knows it will need some key contributions from younger players, including rookies, in order to continue at such a high level. So, adding players who already have a base knowledge of the system and the type of program the Patriots run is crucial.

Ryan should be given every opportunity to play a consistent role in the secondary. Harmon will have his chances to contribute on defense, but it’s likely that he, Beauharnais and Jones will all make their primary contributions on special teams. Whatever their contributions, it’s their ability to seamlessly transition into the program that is most important.

Just as with every other move Belichick makes, the draft is all about value. The Patriots just value players differently than most teams, and their recent infatuation with Rutgers is a clear sign of exactly the type of players they would label with that designation.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Reports first came out that Missouri slot receiver T.J. Moe had signed on with the Jaguars to play with his former quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who Moe excelled with in 2010. Then, since the undrafted free agent situation is a fluid one, word came out later that Moe had actually signed with the Patriots, according to NEPatriotsDraft.com, and those in the know on Moe cheered.

It’s an easy comparison to make with shifty, white, under-6-foot slot receivers, but when you watch Moe you can’t help but notice a little bit of Wes Welker or Danny Amendola in his game. All three Big 12 slot guys (yes, I know Missouri is in the SEC now) have similar agility and short-area quickness that allows them to get open in the middle of the field.

Moe shined in 2010 with Gabbert under center, but struggled to put up the same gaudy stats with James Franklin and Corbin Berkstresser at quarterback. Moe caught 92 passes with 1,045 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore with Gabbert. His numbers took a tumble in his junior and senior seasons.

The slot man, who stands 5-foot-11, 204 pounds, ran a 4.74-second official 40-yard dash at the combine (though unofficial numbers had him clocked at 4.68). It was the worst timing among wideouts in Indianapolis, but his 6.53-second 3-cone drill, 3.96-second short shuttle time and 10.87-second 60-yard shuttle drill were downright freaky — and the best among all wide receivers.

As a slot receiver, long speed is typically not needed. It was rare to see Welker go deep with the Patriots, and when he did, it rarely panned out very well. Moe is the kind of player who will get open in the middle of the field using the agility he showed in those drills at the combine. He moves his feet quickly and changes directions on a dime.

The inclusion of Moe should significantly boost Patriots’ fans’ perception of the 2013 draft class. The best slot receiver in the draft went No. 8 overall when Tavon Austin got picked by the Rams. Stedman Bailey was the next “Y” receiver taken in the third round, and a few were scattered in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.

Getting a player like Moe, who should be able to pile up receptions if given the chance in the middle of the field, as a rookie free agent is incredible value. He has the best shot among all 16 undrafted players tied to the Patriots to make the team due to his talent and the lack of depth at wideout for New England.

New England already has two similar players in Amendola and Julian Edelman, but Tom Brady‘s strength as a passer is in the middle of the field, and if Moe can contribute, he should be able to stick around.

Check out Moe for yourself in the video below.

Photo via Facebook/Missouri Tigers Football from B/R

While looking for a landing spot for return specialist Jeff Demps, the Patriots came across an opportunity to acquire a talented veteran running back. So, they sent Demps and a seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers and in turn landed LeGarrette Blount.

For Bill Belichick, the trade wasn’t personal wasn’t personal as far as Demps thinking about pursuing off-field endeavors as a track athlete. Instead, as always, it was all about getting value.

“Good value,” Belichick said of acquiring Blount. “If we can get a good football player, and the price is right. If it’s a good player at a right price, and it’s affordable. … We just felt the overall trade was good for our football team.”

Blount offers the Patriots just that, too: Value.

He went undrafted on his own draft day in 2010 because of some behavioral issues at Oregon — mainly this punch after a loss to Boise State. But he established himself as one of the NFL’s best young running backs during his first two seasons in Tampa, even eclipsing 1,000 yards in just 13 games as a rookie.

Just as he was beginning to realize his potential as a pro, Blount’s attitude got the best of him once again. The Bucs drafted rookie running back Doug Martin in the first round in 2012, which Blount took as a sign of disrespect. New head coach Greg Schiano soured on Blount, and it showed in his playing time. Blount was given only 41 carries in 2012, just one season after rushing a team-high 184 times the season before.

Blount’s issues seem daunting, but it’s nothing the Patriots haven’t overcome in the past. It worked with Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon. It seems to be working with Aqib Talib, too. Albert Haynesworth and Chad Johnson are the outliers here, but Belichick seems to have high hopes that Blount will be adjust like the former and not the latter.

“[We are] excited to have LeGarrette here,” Belichick said. “He’s a good football player. Happy to add him to our team.”

Still just 26, Blount has plenty of tread left on those tires. So, it’s less about him being able to make the roster and more about his will to do so. He will probably be battling with second-year back Brandon Bolden for a roster spot, and if the will is there then he will find a way onto the team come Week 1.

Blount has all the talent to be an impact player for the Patriots, but only if he is willing to conform to the Patriot Way. Surprising as it may be, Belichick does have patience. He’s willing to wait with rookies and new additions but not for repeat offenders.

If Blount really wants to make things work in New England — and he is more than capable of doing so — then he’ll need to prove it on the field, off the field and in the weight room.

This might be his last chance. We’ll see if he makes the most of it.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

First, it was the monstrous frame and freakish athleticism of Aaron Dobson in the second round. On Saturday, they added wideout athlete with crazy potential.

Josh Boyce is one of the best athletes in this draft, and he has the ability to be a real gamebreaker on the outside. He’s a bit undersized at just 5-foot-11, but his speed more than makes up for it. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he thinks it would have been even faster if not for his broken foot.

“Probably but you never know,” Boyce said of posting a faster 40 time. “I’m just glad it worked out.”

He spent the past three seasons blazing down the sidelines at TCU, and now he’ll have the chance to do so in New England, catching passes from Tom Brady. But Boyce isn’t intimidated by Brady’s prowess as a quarterback. He’s played with NFL quarterbacks before.

In high school, Boyce’s quarterback was 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III. Then in college, he was catching passes from Cincinnati Bengals starter Andy Dalton. Needless to say, he’s been fortunate with his run on quarterbacks.

Boyce would agree.

“It’s great,” Boyce said about the chance to play with Brady. “All three of them are great guys, great quarterbacks. I’ve been blessed to play with great quarterbacks my whole career.”

Both Griffin and Dalton enjoyed Boyce’s incredible speed on the outside in their respective times, but now it’s Brady’s turn. The Patriots quarterback hasn’t had a true deep threat since Randy Moss‘ final days in New England in the fall of 2010. So, the addition of a few speedsters like Boyce and Dobson should bring a smile to his face.

Dobson will garner the most hype and excitement heading into the 2013 season, but Boyce very well could be the better pro. That’s not a knock on Dobson, either. Boyce just seems to have the physical and mental makeup needed to be a  big-impact player right away.

Both players come in with their fair share of risk, and maybe even more so with Boyce. But speed kills in the NFL, and that’s exactly what the Patriots just gained on offense.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

The unwavering confidence and willingness to take risks are core parts of Bill Belichick‘s aura. So, why expect anything different when it comes to the team’s future on offense?

After bypassing a hoard of wide receivers both at the end of the first round and with their first pick of the second round, the Patriots finally gave into their glaring need on the outside.

Marshall wideout Aaron Dobson was the pick. Measuring in at 6-foot-3 with a 4.37-second 40 time and some highlight reel catches — like this one — you might instantly reminisce about the last former Thundering Herd receiver to don a Patriots uni. But don’t let the compelling comparisons get the best of you. Dobson is not Randy Moss, nor does he want to be.

“Moss is a great player,” Dobson said after getting drafted on Friday night. “He definitely did his thing in the NFL. He came in and went straight to work. I’m going to try to come in and make my own name. Really just do what I can do to help my team win and do what I can do to make myself better and be great.”

The physical similarities are there, for the most part, and his talent is tantalizing. So, it’s no wonder the Patriots were interested. But Dobson is still a project that will require time and patience, and Tom Brady isn’t exactly oozing with either.

Belichick doesn’t seem concerned by the rawness of Dobson’s talent, though. Instead, he actually sounded enthused by the receiver’s abilities.

“He’s big, he’s fast, he’s got good hands, he’s a strong player; smart, very smart,” Belichick said on Friday night. “He has some position flexibility and versatility. Catches the ball very well.”

That mention of his hands shouldn’t go overlooked, either. Dobson has the most reliable hands of any receiver in this year’s draft, and that’s not just hyperbole.

In 2012, Dobson was targeted a total of 92 times and didn’t drop a single catchable pass — that’s right, zero. The only other receiver to achieve the feat was South Carolina’s Ace Sanders, who did it on 73 targets.

Need confirmation? Check out this chart drawn up by Stats LLC, which includes most of this draft’s top receivers.

Now, that doesn’t mean Dobson had 92 catches on the season — in fact, he had 57 receptions in all — but he never let one slip through his fingers, which is the true sign of a natural hands catcher. If anything, that must be reassuring for Brady. He didn’t exactly have that sort of fortune with previous draft busts at the position like Chad Jackson, Taylor Price or Brandon Tate.

The combination of Dobson’s sure hands and obvious high football IQ may be a sign that the Patriots have finally learned their lesson about drafting receivers. Even Belichick couldn’t deny he was different than some of their past picks at the position.

“I’d say he’s certainly in the upper group of that,” Belichick admitted.

Maybe something has finally clicked. Maybe this is the right guy. The true test will come when he actually makes his way onto the football field. But, until then, it seems they finally got it right.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Photo via College Press Box

After passing on their first-round pick on Thursday in favor of better value later on Days 2 and 3, the Patriots made a splash with their first pick of this year’s draft.

Collins was a productive and versatile player in his career at Southern Mississippi, playing a primary role at all three defensive levels. He started his career at safety as a freshman but quickly moved to linebacker during his sophomore season. Then, after two productive seasons up on his feet, including 174 tackles and nine sacks, Collins moved down yet again. This time to defensive end.

Bill Belichick saw that versatility and was immediately intrigued, even comparing Collins to Patriots starting linebacker and 2012 first-round pick Dont’a Hightower.

“Sure, if players can do that, great.,” Belichick noted. “It’s similar but I would say different than Hightower but there’s some similarities. Dont’a did that as well – played inside, played outside, played defensive end in their nickel package at Alabama last year. Jamie did that more by season than Dont’a did.”

Collins actually adjusted quite well to the shift, too, compiling 92 tackles and a career-high 10 sacks as a senior. He even says he took a great deal of pleasure in frustrating opposing quarterbacks.

“I played true defensive end my senior [year],” Collins said. “It was my first year playing [that position] and it felt good to get sacks – I never thought sacking the quarterback would feel so good. It just gives you a chance to cause the play.”

The move proved to be a success on the stat sheet, but that was at the collegiate level. His 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame seems to indicate he’ll be back upright and on two feet when taking the field with the Patriots — and his athleticism would back that up.

At the NFL combine, Collins ran a blazing 4.64-second 40-yard dash (fourth best among linebackers) and leaped an incredible 41.5 inches in the vertical jump (tops at the position). Those numbers are enticing enough, but paired with the Patriots’ need for a pass rusher and coverage linebacker and he just makes too much sense.

Incumbent starter Brandon Spikes is entering the final season of his contract, which may have been in play here. Spikes really came into his own during the 2012 season, establishing himself as a premier run defender. But he does have deficiencies on passing plays, and the Patriots may see Collins’ versatility as a better option with the pass-heavy direction of the league.

Whatever they do have planned for him, Collins will welcome with open arms. But you can be sure he won’t fall victim to the hype. He summed up his approach to this new endeavor in the same way he approaches his favorite hobby.

“I think I’m pretty good. I don’t like to brag,” Collins said softly of his fishing ability. “I just like to show and go out and prove.”

With that sort of attitude, it’s no wonder the Patriots were so keen to reel him in.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Bringing back Aqib Talib was a good move, especially on a relatively team-friendly one-year, $5 million deal, but the one year does indicate the Patriots may be looking past the troubled star going forward. So, this year’s draft may be just the place that they locate Talib’s eventual replacement.

Some of the top-tier options include Alabama’s Dee Milliner, Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes and Washington’s Desmond Trufant, but it is very possible that none of them are around when the Pats pick at No. 29. So, looking beyond those prospects, or even beyond the first round, seems to be a good bet.

Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan fits the general mold of a Patriots cornerback. He’s physical and a very sound tackler, and maybe even more importantly his three-cone time was an incredible 6.69 seconds — the Patriots tend to fawn over skill players with sub-seven-second times in the three-cone.

The Patriots typically don’t draft players who run slower than a 4.50 40-yard dash, but they did make an exception in 2012 with Alfonzo Dennard and that’s panned out alright so far. So, maybe Ryan’s slower 40 time (4.56) won’t have a great impact, especially with that incredible three-cone time.

Ryan also looks very close, both in physical build and in raw football skill set, to current Patriots corner Kyle Arrington. Arrington is 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds and boasts many of the same traits as Ryan. Maybe that makes Ryan obsolete when it comes to New England, but putting him on the outside opposite Dennard in a year may be intriguing to Bill Belichick and his staff.

Editor’s Note: NESN.com will evaluate and analyze one potential Patriots draft prospect every day from March 27 up until the start of the NFL Draft on April 25. Ryan is the 20th player in that series.

Combine Measures:

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds

40 Time: 4.56 seconds

Vertical Jump: 32.5 inches

Key Stats:

Ryan wasn’t much of an impact player early in his career, managing just nine tackles and one pass breakup during his sophomore season in 2010. But he became a starter in 2011 and really excelled from that point on. He was named a first-team All-Big East corner in his final two seasons. In 2011, he recorded 67 tackles, two forced fumbles, 13 passes defensed and three interceptions. As a senior in 2012, Ryan produced even more with 94 tackles, 17 pass break ups and four interceptions.

Potential Impact:

Ryan is still a very raw prospect who will need some time to develop his technique before becoming a sound cover corner. But he does play a very physical brand of football and is very good against the run. He won’t come in and make a huge impact right away, but he could be a good fourth or fifth cornerback — maybe even playing in that money linebacker role — in year one.

Likelihood He’s Around at No. 29:

There is some excitement about what Ryan offers in terms of physicality, but he is more of a second- or third-round pick than anything. His stock is not in the first-round range and the Patriots will probably even have a chance to snag him at No. 59 in Round 2.

Game Tape breakdown:

Strengths: Ryan plays a lot bigger than he is and gets very physical with receivers in coverage. He is very fluid in and out of his breaks when changing direction and has a knack for getting his hands on the football. He is also a very active participant in the run game. He likes to attack the line of scrimmage on run plays and is a very aggressive and sound tackler.

Weaknesses: He doesn’t flash great straight-line speed, which could hurt him against straight-line receivers. His physicality can be a negative as he draws too many penalties at times. He doesn’t read the ball and rarely turns to find it in the air, even when contacting the receiver. His technique is also rather sloppy. He needs to work on his footwork and read the receiver a little more or he’ll get beat consistently at the pro level.

Scout Ryan for yourself below.

Thursday: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

Other potential prospects: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State | Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee | Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse  | Alex Okafor, DE, Texas | Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor | Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina | Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia | David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State | Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee | Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut | Margus Hunt, DT, SMU | Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M | Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU | Barrett Jones, C, Alabama | DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson | Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State | Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech | Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama | Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Photo via Facebook/Rutgers Football Bleacher Report

No, you probably won’t find the hoodie scouring the clearance rack at Filene’s Basement or rummaging through coupons in your local Stop & Shop, but when it comes to the NFL draft. value is the word.

In now 14 NFL drafts under Belichick, the Patriots have made 33 draft-day trades — 17 up and 16 down — and Thursday was no different.

Sitting at No. 29 overall, the Patriots had a slew of potential impact players to choose from, but in the end, a trade offer from the Minnesota Vikings was just too appealing to pass up.

Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio was pretty firm that they were ready to take a player at 29 but, naturally, dealing the pick held more value.

“We were ready to pick,” Caserio said. “We had a few players that we actually had in mind that we were going to talk about to consider picking, and then we decided to make the move that we did. So no question, we had players, a player, we would have taken.”

There it is — the value.

The Patriots, who entered Thursday night with five picks — their fewest ever under Belichick – to their name, traded away their one for four from the Vikings, committing the closest thing to highway robbery seen in a draft-day trade. They stole one second-round pick (52nd overall), one third (83rd), one fourth (102nd) and another seventh (226th) from Minnesota in the trade. All of that adds up to 648 points on the draft value chart in contrast with the 640 points of their selection at No. 29, according to Ourlads.com.

That haul might make you wonder if the vikings weren’t actually in Foxboro and not Minneapolis on Thursday.

Now, instead of entering the final six rounds with only four picks in their pocket, the Patriots doubled their load, including four picks in the first 60 selections (52, 59, 83 and 91) on Day 2.

Yup. Value.

Caserio danced around their specific intentions going forward, careful not to give away any of the valuable secrets from the Patriots’ war room, but he did say that some of their key targets are still floating around. Then again, there is always they chance the move up to get even more value.

“A few of them remain,” Caserio said of their ideal targets. “I think, based on the number of players that are there, if there are multiple players, then that’s one thing. If some of those players start o come off then we want to make a move up, we have maybe a little more flexibility to do that. I think we’re open to anything at this point, so we’ll have to see how it unfolds tomorrow once we get started.”

Some guys on their short list are likely still floundering around. Defensive players like Florida State’s Tank Carradine, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu and Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o are still out there. As are wide receivers like USC’s Robert Woods, Tennessee’s Justin Hunter and California’s Keenan Allen.

So, for the Patriots, there is no shortage of talent left kicking around. But that doesn’t mean some or any of those guys end up in New England come Saturday morning, because, as always, it’s all about the value.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

With two picks in the first round coming into Thursday night, the Vikings were set to make some noise in this year’s draft. But instead of a loud thud, like in year’s past, they came away with a loud roar of applause.

First, the Vikings jumped on defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, who fell hard out of his top-five projection and all the way down into their laps at No. 23.

Defensive line. Check.

Two picks later, head coach Leslie Frazier and company found themselves staring down one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s draft. So, they snatched up Xavier Rhodes at No. 25.

Secondary. Check.

Then, just as it seemed they were ready to call it a night, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman surprised everyone with an encore performance. With the Patriots on the clock at No. 29, Spielman struck a deal to sneak back into the first round and steal away wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson from under the noses of the unsuspecting Rams and Cowboys.

Patterson was the No. 1 receiver on many teams’ draft boards and a player that the Cowboys coveted greatly, according to one source. His talent is immeasurable in some standards and, although he might be a project pick, he could even develop into a Julio Jones clone somewhere down the line, which is obviously high praise.

The price to acquire Patterson might have been a little steep, or even considered highway robbery in some circles, but even so, they shined bright on the whole after Day 1.

Even Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio was impressed by the Vikings’ moves.

“They did what they thought was best for their situation,” Caserio said. “I think the unique thing was probably Minnesota doing what they did, picking three players in the first round.”

Three first-round talents is quite a haul for a playoff team. But three potential top-10 talents, and all in the mid-to-late 20s? That’s a coup.

The whole winners and losers argument is vastly overrated, especially mere hours later. Let them get out on the field and play some games before glorifying some and chastising others. But if there was one big winner to point to at this point in the draft, the Vikings would be the most obvious, and correct, choice.

There won’t be much else coming out of Vikings camp the rest of the way after sending away most of their picks. But, even if they only land three players this weekend, they still came away a better team than they went in.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Robert Woods

In three years at USC, Woods developed into a quick, shifty playmaker with the ability to break off the big play at any point. He was primarily used as a possession receiver in Lane Kiffin‘s offense, but was known for his wide catch radius and reliability on third-downs.

Remind you of anyone, Patriots fans?

Given his use and production at USC, Woods appears to be a bigger and faster version of Wes Welker. That should at least pique the interest of the Patriots, even after signing a similar-style player in Danny Amendola already. The presence of both receivers on the field wouldn’t be redundant, as some may expect, because each is capable of playing on the outside and posing a deep threat over the top.

Unlike some other potential Patriots receivers, Woods likely won’t be around long after the Patriots pick at No. 29. So, if they want him, they will have to make him a priority. That isn’t to say they wouldn’t be able to trade back a few spots and grab him — even in the early stages of the second round — but it would be a risk.

Woods has the smarts and skills that the Patriots are looking for in a receiver, and Tom Brady would surely enjoy another toy in the passing game.

Editor’s Note: NESN.com will evaluate and analyze one potential Patriots draft prospect every day from March 27 up until the start of the NFL Draft on April 25.Woods is the 26th player in that series.

Combine Measures:

Height/Weight: 6-feet, 201 pounds

40 Time: 4.51 seconds

 Vertical Jump:  33.5 inches

Key Stats:

Woods made a major impact upon his arrival at USC. He caught 65 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman, quickly establishing his place among the best receivers in the nation. He followed that up with a phenomenal sophomore season, breaking Keyshawn Johnson‘s USC single-season record with 111 receptions to go along with nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was named a consensus first-team All American for his efforts in 2011. As a senior, Woods saw his role reduced slightly as the Trojans’ offense focused more attention on sophomore Marquise Lee. Woods still finished the season with 76 grabs for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Potential Impact:

Woods excelled in a complex pro-style offense while at USC, preparing him to step in and contribute right away at the NFL level. He has great versatility and an in-depth understanding of intricate route combinations, which should intrigue the Patriots as much as any team. He could be a starter from Day 1 on almost any team around the league, and the Patriots would immediately improve their offense with his addition.

Likelihood He’s Around at No. 29:

There is a chance. The wide receiver class in this year’s draft is pretty wide open. Aside from West Virginia’s Tavon Austin, there isn’t one guaranteed first-round talent. Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter, Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins and California’s Keenan Allen are all possibilities, but none are sure things. Woods is right in the thick of that group, and like them is a bit of a wild card. If he goes in the first, it will be somewhere in the 20s. So, the Rams (22nd overall), Vikings (23rd and 25th) and Texans (27th) are all possibilities to take him ahead of the Patriots.

Game Tape breakdown:

Strengths: Woods is a very good route runner, who uses deception to his advantage with quick and shifty movements. He stops on a dime and has a wide catch radius, making it easy for him to catch the ball on comebacks and back-shoulder throws. His 40-yard-dash time didn’t wow, but his quickness and acceleration creates a cushion on routes and out in space.

Weaknesses: He lacks the strength to create separation when being pressed at the line of scrimmage. He drops more passes than he should because of small hands and inconsistent focus. He also runs a lot of screen passes, but he isn’t terrific eluding defenders after the catch.

Scout Woods for yourself below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yo_Tpp1UJw

Next Up: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Other potential prospects: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State | Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee | Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse  | Alex Okafor, DE, Texas | Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor | Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina | Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia | David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State | Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee | Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut | Margus Hunt, DT, SMU | Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M | Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU | Barrett Jones, C, Alabama | DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson | Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State | Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech | Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama | Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia | Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers | Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State | Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State | Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State | D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Photo via Facebook/Robert Woods

D.J. Hayden

Hayden was on his way to being a first-round pick when a freak collision in practice left him with a tear of the inferior vena cava, which carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart. Luckily, doctors were able to fix the issue and he is on his way to making a full recovery.

Now, after months of uncertainty about his NFL future, Hayden is back on track and making his way back up draft boards, even into the first-round discussion once again.

Alabama’s Dee Milliner still seems to be the consensus No. 1 corner on most team’s draft boards, but Hayden is a hot commodity and could be an impact player even as a rookie.

The Patriots could definitely use some help in the secondary, after finishing the past two seasons near the bottom of the league in pass defense. Adding Hayden to a unit that already includes Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington, Devin McCourty and Adrian Wilson would really solidify the secondary and add some insurance in case Ras-I Dowling is unable to return to health.

Bill Belichick may not be interested in investing such a high pick in another cornerback but, if Hayden returns to form, the Patriots will come away with an impact player and another steal on draft day.

Editor’s Note: NESN.com will evaluate and analyze one potential Patriots draft prospect every day from March 27 up until the start of the NFL Draft on April 25.Hayden is the 25th player in that series.

Combine Measures:

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds

*40 Time: 4.42 seconds

*Hayden did not participate in the NFL Combine. His 40 time was calculated by NFL Network’s Gil Brandt at Houston’s pro day.

Key Stats:

Like a few of the top prospects in this year’s draft class, Hayden attended junior college for two seasons before heading to his hometown school at Houston. Hayden made a big impact in his first season with the Cougars, leading Houston with 11 passes defended to go along with two interceptions and five forced fumbles, earning Conference USA’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He followed that up with a terrific senior season, although it was cut short by that freak injury. He had eight passes defended, four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns in nine games in 2012.

Potential Impact:

Hayden is still working his way back from that frightening injury, but should be back to full health by the time the regular season begins. He is a bit undersized, but Hayden displays enough physicality at the line and has the leaping ability to compensate. His speed and sound technique should make him a solid third or even second option at corner for most teams. The Patriots might use him more in nickel and dime situations next season with eyes to move him into a starting role on the outside if Talib bolts in free agency.

Likelihood He’s Around at No. 29:

There is a good chance. He has seen a steady rise on many draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft, but Dee Milliner is still the top cornerback at this time. With a serious need for secondary help, many teams will be looking at corners in the first round. Hayden could land anywhere from the middle of the first all the way deep into the second round, meaning the Saints (15th overall), Steelers (17th), Giants (19th), Bengals (21st), Vikings (23rd and 25th) and Broncos (28th) could all snatch him up.

Game Tape breakdown:

Strengths: Hayden has excellent speed and displays great acceleration when tracking receivers and ball carriers. He reads the receiver in routes and doesn’t get caught peeking in the backfield. He also doesn’t offer much of a cushion downfield and anticipates the ball very well. He has very active hands when pursuing ball carriers and has a powerful punch at the ball. He is very stable in his backpedal and is very fluid when changing direction. He’s also very persistent in pursuit of ball carriers down the field, never giving up on the play.

Weaknesses: He does lack the ideal size for an NFL corner, but his technique and speed help to compensate. He lacks the strength to shed bigger blockers at times, giving runners more of a lane to work with on the outside. He can get caught making contact early even when he has blanket coverage, which may yield some unnecessary penalties early in his career.

Scout Hayden for yourself below.

Next Up: Robert Woods, WR, USC Other potential prospects: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State | Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee | Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse  | Alex Okafor, DE, Texas | Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor | Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina | Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia | David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State | Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee | Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut | Margus Hunt, DT, SMU | Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M | Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU | Barrett Jones, C, Alabama | DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson | Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State | Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech | Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama | Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia | Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers | Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State | Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State | Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Photo via Facebook/D.J. Hayden

All of the workouts are over, the evaluations are done and now we play the waiting game. Only 29 of the 32 NFL teams currently have first-round picks, but that doesn’t mean just 29 teams will be making picks on Thursday night. In 2012 only 27 teams ended up picking in the first round, but in 2011 31 of the 32 teams selected a player in the first round. So, don’t be surprised if teams trade out of the first or back into the end of the round on Thursday.

As for the actual picks, Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel appears to be the consensus for the Chiefs at No. 1 overall, but Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher is still in contention for the honor. But after those two, predicting the rest of the first round is very much a crapshoot. Defenders like Oregon’s Dion Jordan and Florida’s Sharrif Floyd have piqued the interest of many teams, but either could come off the board anywhere from No. 2 all the way into the mid teens.

The big position of question continues to be the quarterbacks, though. Geno Smith tops most boards, but there have been a lot of rumors about Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib and USC’s Matt Barkley in recent days, making the possibility of multiple quarterbacks going in the first round even more likely.

The Patriots, meanwhile, will sit and wait patiently well into the first night before even taking a stab at their draft board. Wide Receiver, secondary and defensive line are all glaring needs that they will have to address at some point but, with just five picks to their name heading into this weekend, don’t be surprised if they trade out of the first round altogether this year. Sorry, Patriots fans.

With so many prospects to sift through and more uncertainty than in any year before, let’s dive right in and see what the final mock draft of 2013 has in store.

Editor’s Note: Draft order is as follows for the first round of this year’s draft. 

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Joeckel has been the pick all along. The Chiefs know what they’re doing.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14): Dion Jordan, OLB/DE, Oregon
The Jaguars need some fresh faces to fill out their new uniforms and Jordan will look damn good throwing down quarterbacks while sporting the black and teal.

3. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Quick, name three players on the Raiders defense… Give up yet? Yeah, they need Floyd.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-12): Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Lane Johnson is the so-called “perfect fit” for Chip Kelly‘s offense, but Fisher is still the better player.
Previous pick: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

5. Detroit Lions (4-12): Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
If the Lions don’t trade out of here, which has been rumored, then Johnson would make the most sense.
Previous pick: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Pairing Milliner with Joe Haden will create some excitement for Browns fans, who can forget about Jimmy Haslam‘s problems for at least a few hours.

7. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
The left tackles are all gone, so getting a defensive playmaker like Ansah should be next up on  Bruce Arians‘ priorities list.
Previous pick: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

8. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Doug Marrone may be inclined to trade back into the back of the first round for Ryan Nassib to find his quarterback, making offensive line the next big need.
Previous pick: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

9. New York Jets (6-10): Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
If Milliner falls maybe they snatch up Darrelle Revis‘ replacement. If not, Geno gives them a quarterback to compete with Mark Sanchez.
Previous pick: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

10. Tennessee Titans (6-10): Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Titans could use an athletic defensive end, too, but Lotulelei is just too tempting to pass up here.
Previous pick: Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU

11. San Diego Chargers (6-10): Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
D.J. Fluker is also an option here, but his Alabama line mate is still the better pure lineman.
Previous pick: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9): D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
Replacing Jake Long is the real concern, but getting a strong right tackle is pretty important too.
Previous pick: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

13. New York Jets [via Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)]: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
The Jets waited on Mingo at No. 9, but the risk pays off as he lands in New York anyway.

14. Carolina Panthers (7-9): Shelden Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Panthers couldn’t stop the run in 2012, but Richardson should help change that.

15. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Trufant’s speed should help the Saints against the pass.
Previous pick: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

16. St. Louis Rams (7-8-1): Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Austin is the best offensive playmaker in this draft and Sam Bradford can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
The Saints could grab Jones two picks before, but the Steelers won’t let him pass if he’s sitting here at 17.

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Jerry Jones may be tempted to get Tony Romo a new toy on offense, but in the end he goes with a need over a want.
Previous pick: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

19. New York Giants (9-7): Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Osi Umenyiora and Chris Canty left a big hole in the Giants’ defensive line, forcing their hand to address it through the draft.
Previous pick: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

20. Chicago Bears (10-6): Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Jay Cutler is in a contract year, so the Bears will give him all the weapons necessary to prove he is the answer long term.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Bengals seem to think they’ll have tackle Andre Smith back on the roster next season, turning their attention to the next biggest need this offseason: the secondary.

22. St. Louis Rams [via Washington Redskins (10-6)]: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
The Rams could use a heavy hitter to set the tone in their secondary. Boom, Elam it is.
Previous pick: Matt Elam, S, Florida

23. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The Vikings don’t appear intent on signing Brian Urlacher after all. So, Ogletree could address their need at inside linebacker.
Previous pick: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

24. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Indy is all set passing the football on offense, but they’re still having trouble defending it. Rhodes should provide a big boost in the secondary.
Previous pick: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

25. Minnesota Vikings [via Seattle Seahawks (11-5)]: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Te’o may be surrounded by controversy, but the Vikings know he still has the talent to be a
Previous pick: Keenan Allen, WR, California

26. Green Bay Packers (12-4): Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
There is no way the Packers trade up into the top-10 to get one of the big three, but Watson is a sturdy tackle with lots of potential. Plus, he can help Aaron Rodgers right now.
Previous pick: Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

27. Houston Texans (12-4): Matt  Barkley, QB, USC
I’m not necessarily saying the Texans will take Barkley — though Matt Schaub may not be the franchise quarterback they once thought — but this is a prime spot for the Bills, Cardinals, Browns or any number of teams to trade back into the first round and get their man.
Previous pick: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

28. Denver Broncos (13-3): Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Elvis — Dumervil that is — has left the building, and the Broncos need a replacement in the pass rush. Look no further than the talented UCLA end.
Previous pick: Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, DE, Florida State

29. New England Patriots (12-4): Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, DE, Florida State
There is a good chance the Patriots trade back with a team looking to get a quarterback. If they do stay here, though, Carradine would give them a good complement to Chandler Jones.
Previous pick: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

30. Atlanta Falcons (13-3): D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
Hayden ran in the low 4.4s at his Houston pro day and seems to be fully healthy, making him a steal at this point in the draft.
Previous pick: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

31. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1): Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
The 49ers are positioning themselves to move up but, without predicting a trade, Hunt seems like a great fit to replace Justin Smith.
Previous pick: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama

32. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): Keenan Allen, WR, California
They don’t have Anquan Boldin anymore, so why not take the closest thing this draft has to offer.
Previous pick: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Dropped: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State; Matt Elam, S, Florida; Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State; DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson; Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama;

Newcomers: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina; Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame; Matt  Barkley, QB, USC; D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston; Margus Hunt, DE, SMU;

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Carradine was having maybe the best season of any player in college football through the first 12 games of the 2012 season, even propelling himself into the top-10 draft discussion. But he tore his ACL in the last game on the Seminoles’ regular season schedule against Florida. The injury forced him to miss workouts at the NFL combine and saw him drop even out of the first round on most teams’ draft boards.

After an impressive workout just a week before draft day, the dominant defensive end is beginning to rise back into the first-round discussion. At best, his stock still lies somewhere near the end of Round 1, where the Patriots may be patiently waiting.

Bill Belichick traded up to get defensive end Chandler Jones in the first round last year and he may be looking to complete the pair with Carradine this time around. The Patriots are always looking way ahead in their team building strategy and their next group of free agents may come into play with this pick.

Rob Ninkovich has developed into a consistent and reliable playmaker off the edge over the past two seasons. But, as good as he’s been, his contract is up after 2013 and the Patriots may not want to give the 29-year-old the pay raise he’s earned over the past few seasons.

The injury will be a concern for the Patriots, as with any team interested in Carradine. Then again, all of that would have been addressed during Tank’s visit to Foxboro earlier in the month.

If nothing else, the visit shows that the Patriots do have a decent amount of interest in Carradine. Now, the question becomes whether his knee can hold up to see him achieve his massive potential.

Editor’s Note: NESN.com will evaluate and analyze one potential Patriots draft prospect every day from March 27 up until the start of the NFL Draft on April 25. Carradine is the 24th player in that series.

Combine Measures:

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 276 pounds

*40 Time: 4.75 seconds

Bench Press:  28 reps

*Carradine did not run at the NFL combine while recovering from ACL surgery. His time is from a recent pre-draft workout.

Key Stats:

Carradine originally signed on to play at Illinois, but academic issues forced him to play at the junior college level for two years. He feasted on the JUCO ranks, totaling 26 sacks over two seasons. He made an immediate impact upon transferring to Florida State in 2011, even playing strictly as a reserve. He recorded 38 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a junior. He then followed that up with a monster senior season, starting 12 games and racking up 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 11 sacks before his tearing his ACL.

Potential Impact:

He may need some time to readjust, given his injury, but Carradine can be an impact player in his rookie season. He has the speed and strength to get into the backfield consistently and would make a nice third-down rusher on most teams. The Patriots may view Carradine as that additional rusher right now, eliminating their need to sign veteran free agents like Dwight Freeney or John Abraham. It may be a few weeks, but he should be able to contribute consistently midway through the season and into the playoffs.

Likelihood He’s Around at No. 29:

It seems likely. Carradine was on his way to being a top-five selection before tearing his ACL. The injury raised a lot of questions and has teams believing he is more of a project pick. Then again, his recent pre-draft workout wowed teams and may have them second guessing their own opinions more than his health. If he goes in the first round, it will be somewhere in the 20s. The Vikings (23rd and 25th overall), Colts (24th) and Broncos (28th) are all in the market, which could give the Patriots some competition.

Game Tape breakdown:

Strengths: Carradine has an explosive burst off the line and gives tackles fits in pass protection. He has very good handwork and quick feet, which helps him really drive up into blockers. He sets the edge well when defending the run and uses his leverage and strength to clog up holes. He also exhibits great energy on the field and hustles until the whistle blows on every play.

Weaknesses: His strength and leverage against blockers is a strength, but he sometimes gets too caught up in hand-fighting. He struggles to find the ball carrier in the backfield on some running plays. His lack of experience is also a concern as he looks to make his second major competition jump in three seasons.

Scout Carradine for yourself below.

Next Up: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

Other potential prospects: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State | Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee | Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse  | Alex Okafor, DE, Texas | Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor | Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina | Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia | David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State | Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee | Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut | Margus Hunt, DT, SMU | Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M | Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU | Barrett Jones, C, Alabama | DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson | Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State | Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech | Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama | Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia | Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers | Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State | Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

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Banks spent the past three seasons playing at a premier level as a cornerback in the SEC, even being recognized as the nation’s best defensive back at the end of his senior season. But a lack of speed and some inconsistencies on the corner last season have NFL teams concerned that he’s a better fit over the top.

The Patriots need to improve their secondary after finishing near the bottom of the NFL in pass defense in both 2011 and 2012. With Aqib Talib back for a full season, Adrian Wilson newly signed to help out over the top and Kyle Arrington, Devin McCourty and Alfonzo Dennard now all one year older, the Patriots are in good position in the secondary. But they could still use more help.

Banks is a versatile defender with the ability to play both corner and safety, similar to McCourty when coming out of Rutgers in 2010. His big frame and ball skills make him an intriguing prospect but a bit different than McCourty, comparing him more closely to big press corners like Seattle’s Brandon Browner or Kansas City’s Sean Smith.

The Patriots have a number of needs to address in this draft and, as of now, only five picks to do it with. So, if a big, versatile playmaker like Banks is available at the end of Round 1, don’t be surprised if they snatch him up and begin filling out some of those holes.

Editor’s Note: NESN.com will evaluate and analyze one potential Patriots draft prospect every day from March 27 up until the start of the NFL Draft on April 25. Banks is the 23rd player in that series.

Combine Measures:

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

40 Time: 4.61 seconds

 Vertical Jump:  34 inches

Key Stats:

Banks made an immediate impact upon his arrival at Mississippi State, receiving Freshman All-SEC honors after making his mark at safety with four interceptions and two touchdowns in the 2009 season. As a sophomore he switched to cornerback, where he started all 12 games, intercepting three passes and recording seven passes defended. In 2011, his game took a huge leap forward in all areas, finishing his junior year with five interceptions, nine passes defended, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles. He was inconsistent on the whole as a senior, but managed 63 tackles, four interceptions and 11 passes defended. Banks was named a second-team All American and won the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive back, for his efforts.

Potential Impact:

Banks was recruited as a safety out of high school, and many teams may view him similarly as he enters the NFL. He is capable in man-to-man coverage and has great instincts and anticipation on passing routes, so he should able to transition into NFL defenses almost immediately. The Patriots would likely use him as a third or fourth option at corner and as a situational safety on passing downs. He would be able to contribute in the secondary as well as on special teams, where he excelled as a punt returner.

Likelihood He’s Around at No. 29:

Very good. Banks is one of the premier defensive backs in this year’s draft class, but a disappointing combine workout has seen him slip on many draft boards. Right now, he seems like either a late first- or early second-round pick. So, while slim, there is a chance he won’t be there for the Patriots at No. 29. Keep an eye on the Bengals (21st overall), Vikings (23rd and 25th), Packers (26th), and Broncos (28th) as other potential landing spots.

Game Tape breakdown:

Strengths: Banks is a tall, physical corner with the ability to play safety. He uses his size to his advantage and is very aggressive with receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has great anticipation of routes and reads quarterbacks very well. He also has good vision after the catch and is able to take any turnover back to the house for six. He’s a relentless player who also plays with a lot of energy and passion.

Weaknesses: Aside from an underwhelming 40 time at the combine, Banks did get beat on easy routes at time because of his lack of speed. He is an inconsistent tackler, and sometimes his aggressive style sees him over pursue in the open field. He doesn’t finish tackles at times and is too much of an arm tackler. He also offers too much cushion on routes, allowing receivers to make easy catches.

Scout Banks for yourself below.

Next Up: Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, DE, Florida State

Other potential prospects: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State | Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee | Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse  | Alex Okafor, DE, Texas | Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor | Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina | Stedman Bailey, WR, West Virginia | David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State | Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee | Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut | Margus Hunt, DT, SMU | Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M | Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU | Barrett Jones, C, Alabama | DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson | Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State | Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech | Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama | Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia | Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers | Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

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