2008 New England Patriots NFL Draft Needs

The Patriots are one of the big movers and shakers on draft day, trading their top pick, often enough, to get established players. The Patriots lost their first round pick to last season's "Spygate" scandal, but that turns out to be less than a slap on the wrist considering they'll get San Franciso's seventh overall pick thanks to a draft day deal that helped bring Randy Moss to Foxboro last season. Find out how the Pats figure to use their first round pick in this 2008 New England Patriots NFL Draft needs inside look.

#1 Inside Linebacker

The Pats are ancient inside with Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau reaching ages 35 and 39 respectively when the 2008 season kicks off. Both players stayed healthy and turned in solid seasons, but they are becoming a bigger and bigger liability in the passing game. The Pats need to get younger at this spot.

#2 Cornerback

With Asante Samuel now with the Eagles, the Pats have a big hole to fill at left corner. Several rookie corners have stepped right in and excelled across the league the past few seasons so the Pats could look to take a corner with their seventh pick. Kansas' Aqib Talib and South Florida's Mike Jenkins both look like promising players.

#3 Outside Linebacker

All in all, the Pats have a major need for linebackers. There's not much for depth behind Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas. New England could use a young player to provide competition and to learn behind this steady vets.

#4 Tackle

Matt Light is a two-time Pro Bowl selection, but he struggled with speed rushers at times, especially in the Super Bowl. Bringing in some competition at one of the most important spots on the field looks like a good move. The Pats could spend their first round pick on Michigan's Jake Long or Boise State's Ryan Clady. Both are a little bigger than New England's typical lineman, but Long possesses great speed for a marquee tackle.

#5 Wide Receiver

The Pats will likely address this spot in later rounds. I look for them to add another speedster, like Moss, who could work well with Wes Welker.

#6 Tight End

Look for the Pats to do what they do best and nab a mid-round sleeper to fill this spot. Tennessee's Brad Cottam could be the guy. He's an enormous 6'8'', 270 pound beast that will likely slide after missing most of his senior year with a wrist injury. With Kyle Brady turning 36 next season, it would be a good time for the Pats to have someone waiting in the wings.

#7 Running Back

This might also be a good time to bring in a specialist as Kevin Faulk is not getting any younger. Another scatback who can block and catch the football out of the backfield is exactly what this team needs to have on deck.

Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 NFL Draft previews to see what direction your favorite NFL team might be headed in. Also check out our 2008 NFL Mock Draft to see how Jimmy sees the first round shaping up.

April 6th, 2008