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Picking one player at each defensive position who made an impression at the NFL combine, and who appeared to have qualities the Patriots would value (considering various points of the draft):

Defensive tackle
Dontari Poe (Memphis) -- Even before his impressive workout, just looking at his body type, he's the kind of big-bodied athletic lineman that seemed to fit in the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick "big is better" coaching tree. At 6-foot-4 and 346 pounds, they don't make too many of them like that. A first-round projection.

Defensive end (5 technique for 3-4 defense)
Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State) -- Liked his presence during his media interview and at 6-foot-4 and 298 pounds, with 34.5-inch arm length, he could be a solid right end in the 3-4 alignment that the Patriots have been missing since Richard Seymour was traded. To run a 4.79 time in the 40 at his size is impressive.

Outside linebacker
Whitney Mercilus (Illinois) -- Had a Rosevelt Colvin type look on the cursory eye-ball test and handled himself well in the media center, answering some challenge "one-year wonder" questions with thought. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, he ran well (4.68) and also showed good strength (27 reps on bench press).

Inside linebacker
Tyler Nielsen (Iowa) -- Projected as a later-round pick, the 6-foot-3 1/2, 238-pounder came across as an all-business type of player who could compete for a core special teams type of role, while providing depth at inside linebacker. Has kept in touch with former Iowa teammate Jeff Tarpinian, who broke through with the Patriots in 2011.

Cornerback
Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina) -- At 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, he has solid size and ran well (4.40), which has him rising in the eyes of some. The Patriots value run force and tackling from their corners, so when Gilmore said the following, it made me take note: "I like to tackle a lot. I think most corners don't like to tackle. I like to make plays on the ball. I just try to be a complete corner."

Safety
Harrison Smith (Notre Dame) -- Viewed by some as the second-rated safety behind Mark Barron, he reminded me of Patrick Chung in the sense that he's played a lot of football (51 games, 47 starts). Has good size at 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds and said he feels comfortable at both safety spots, which is important in the Patriots' scheme where the positions are viewed as interchangeable.

Picking one player at each offensive position who made an impression at the NFL combine, and who appeared to have qualities the Patriots would value (considering various points of the draft):

Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Michigan State) -- Great presence who came across as a Belichick-like "football guy" and was a three-year captain. Reminded me of Greg McElroy from the prior year.

Running back
Chris Rainey (Florida) -- Speedy running back and returner from Florida says, "Special teams is my specialty and I love special teams. People don’t understand about special teams. It’s like 95 percent, if special teams is doing something, you win the game."

Wide receiver
Rueben Randle (LSU) -- Came across as confident but polished in media interviews, didn't hurt himself in the 40 (4.55) and a 6.99 in the three-cone drill seemed solid for a 6-foot-2 7/8, 210-pound target. Possible late first-round option if available.

Tight end
Ladarius Green (Louisiana-Lafayette) -- With only 14 tight ends at the combine, not a lot to choose from, but at 6-foot-5 1/2 and 238 pounds, the small-school prospect caught the eye with a 4.53 time in the 40.

Offensive line
Ben Jones (Georgia) -- Center came across as a thinking man's type of player, and also has position flexibility to be a factor at guard. At 6-foot-2 1/2 and 305 pounds, he said he looked at the Colts' Jeff Saturday as the type of heady player he could emulate.

EXTRA POINT: Defensive players from the combine will be posted later today.

Revisiting some top defensive linemen, from a Patriots perspective, after watching their televised workouts Monday at the NFL combine:

1. Overall, it is always impressive to see some of the biggest players in the draft display their athleticism. Memphis' Dontari Poe, who measured 6-foot-4 and weighed in at 346 pounds, probably helped his stock more than anyone. He ran a 4.98 time in the 40. Poe is the type of athletic, big-bodied prospect that I would imagine the Patriots would be interested in, but after his performance today, it wouldn't be surprising if he's selected before the Patriots are on the clock at 27.

2. If Poe stole the show, Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox wasn't far behind. He's 6-foot-4 and 298 pounds and ran a 4.79. That speaks to his athleticism. Looks like he helped himself as a first-round prospect on the rise.

3. UConn's Kendall Reyes looked smooth in agility drills. Reyes was one of a handful of New Englanders at the combine (he's from Nashua, NH). He ran a 4.95, which at 6-foot-4 and 299 pounds is impressive. He looks like a riser and the type of player who could interest the Patriots.

4. LSU's Michael Brockers is an imposing presence at 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds. He ran a 5.36. Brockers looked to be moving well for a player of his size in agility drills but he was overshadowed by Poe.

Following up on some of the outside linebacker/defensive ends in this year's draft after today's workouts:

1. Clemson's Andre Branch served notice as a player to monitor. His speed checked out (4.70 in the 40), with an strong unofficial 10-yard split at 1.56. The Patriots haven't drafted a Clemson player in Bill Belichick's tenure. Branch, at 6-foot-4, 259 pounds, has a nice size/speed combination that should lead teams like New England back to the tape to watch him closer. Analysts view him as a projected first- or second-round pick.

2. Illinois' Whitney Mercilus did nothing to hurt his stock with a 4.68 in the 40. At 6-foot-3, and 260 pounds, that's a time that teams like the Patriots want to see from an outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. He's a first-round projection.

3. Virginia's Cam Johnson and Syracuse's Chandler Jones both had solid vertical jumps of 35 inches. I watched them closely in pass-coverage drills on NFL Network, as they went back to back, and the amateur scout in me thought Jones was a bit more fluid when dropping back. Both were on the slower side compared to their peers -- Johnson at 4.81 in the 40, with Jones at 4.87. They are post round-one options.

4. USC's Nick Perry tested very well, as expected. A 38.5-inch vertical jump reflects his athleticism, as did his 4.64 in the 40. At 6-foot-2, and 271 pounds, Perry said he prefers the 4-3 scheme, and it seems like a stretch to project a conversion to 3-4 outside linebacker at this time. But when considering the high percentages that defenses are in sub packages and a team like the Patriots varies it front, Perry is an interesting prospect to follow from a pure athlete standpoint.

5. Marshall's Vinny Curry ran a 4.98 in the 40. That's a high number for those projecting he might be able to sneak into the late first-round area. He'd currently seem to fall in line with Cam Johnson and Chandler Jones in the outside linebacker projection.

Some picked-up pieces from the NFL combine as they relate to the Patriots:

1. Setting the safety class. In what projects as a high need area for the Patriots this offseason, the draft class is not strong. Alabama's Mark Barron is the only projected first-round pick, with Notre Dame's Harrison Smith projected by analysts as a second-rounder. "After that it gets kind of interesting becuase I don't think it has really played itself out yet," said NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who projected that some teams will lean more toward bigger corners to fill some of those roles. This is something to keep in mind as the Patriots approach free agency -- knowing the draft class is light, it could lead them to be more aggressive in veteran free agency.

2. Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd unlikely to slip to 27. The possibility of Floyd (6-2, 220) slipping to the Patriots at No. 27, and providing that important outside threat, might be less likely after his workout. Floyd ran a 4.47 time in the 40, which is solid speed for a player at his size. "I thought Floyd had as good a day as just about anybody out there," Mayock said. "I don't think [he] falls out of the top 21. I think his bigger challenge is to just make sure people take his red flags off the field and make sure he adjusts it accordingly. If teams take him off the board, that's one thing. But if you're just talking to me about a football player, he's a top-21 talent." In addition to Floyd, Mayock said Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill's 4.36 time in the 40, "kind of pushed himself right up in the forefront of this wide receiver thing."

3. Big d-linemen make an impression. LSU's Michael Brockers (6-6, 321) and Memphis' Dontari Poe (6-4, 346) were players who walked into the media center and looked like they were in the wrong place. Simply based on body type, they look like NFL veterans. Their presence highlighted an overall strong class on the interior d-line, with Mayock saying Poe's movement skills draw some comparison to Baltimore's Haloti Ngata. Poe had 44 reps on the bench. For most in the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick coaching tree, size is important and when I saw both of those players, the first thought was "Those are the type of guys who would fit with the Patriots." Brockers is unlikely to make it out of the top 15, but Poe is someone I have circled in my notebook to follow closer through this process.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quick hits on a few more pass rushers who might be of interest to the Patriots:

1. USC's Nick Perry. After a 9.5-sack junior season, Perry declared for the draft and is considered one of the top athletes in the defensive end/outside linebacker class. He said he measured 6-foot-2 and weighed 271 pounds. As for where he sees his best fit, Perry said, "I prefer 4-3. I like to keep my hand in the dirt, but as long as I’m rushing and getting to quarterback I’m fine whatever it is." Perry projects as a first- or second-round selection and is expected to work out well basd on his athleticism. Perry didn't play as heavy as 271, but said the weight feels good. "I wouldn’t have it on if I couldn’t handle it," he said.

2. Virginia's Cam Johnson. As noted by blog commenter "JohnfromManchester", Johnson has some good things going for him. From a Patriots perspective, he has a solid body type (6-3, 268) and previously played linebacker for Al Groh, who is from the Bill Parcells coaching tree. Under a new coaching staff at Virginia, Johnson's role changed. “We switched to the 4-3, and I played defensive end," Johnson relayed. "I started out around 245 [pounds as a freshman] and going into the last season, I was weighing 270.” Johnson is viewed as an early- to mid-round pick.

3. Wake Forest's Kyle Wilber. Didn't look like he had the bulk the Patriots might prefer, and probably fits better in the Cowboys/Chargers type of 3-4 defense, but analysts say the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Wilber has the smarts and intangibles that wouldbe welcomed on any team. Wilber played backwards more than forwards in Wake Forest's 3-4 scheme. "With our team, the way we did it, it was more 75 percent of the time I was dropping back in coverage," he explained. "So hopefully I can show them that during my junior tape it shows me a lot at defensive end, my explosiveness off the edge, how I used my hands, how physical I was with tackles, even with my small size. Wilber said he points his game toward Clay Matthews, because "he has a tremendous motor, he’s relentless, he’s physical, he’s fast and he’s a smart football player."

EXTRA POINT: The hope was to add Syracuse's Chandler Jones and Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis to the list, but the connection couldn't be made.

A few quick-hit thoughts from 40-yard dash times of receivers at the NFL combine (NFL.com link here):

1. Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu, a player linked to the Patriots in some mock drafts, clocked a 4.67. That is slower than he anticipated. While Sanu had great production in college, a knock is his ability to separate and run. This 40 time won't negate those concerns for some teams and makes it hard to envision him as a first-round option.

2. Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill was noted in this space earlier in the week with the following question: "After Taylor Price in 2010, would the Patriots consider Hill?" The Patriots saw potential in Price, but knew there would be a large learning curve because he was coming from an option-based offense. It didn't work out. Now Hill is in a similar situation, having played in an run-based offense in college. Hill is known as a burner and he impressed with a 4.36. He could rise on some boards.

3. LSU's Reuben Randle, who showed poise in his media interview, ran 4.55. Not off-the-charts numbers. One could see a potential scenario where he's available around the time of the Patriots' first pick at 27.

4. Arkansas' Jarius Wright clocked a solid 4.42. Meanwhile, Razorbacks teammate Joe Adams checked in with a disappointing 4.55 after saying he wanted to run 4.2. Both were highlighted from this perspective as players who could fit in New England (after the first round).

5. Notre Dame's Michael Floyd ran a 4.47. That should help his standing.

6. Florida's Chris Rainey, a running back/receiver, blazed a 4.37 (unofficial). He said he was shooting for a 4.1, but the 4.37 still reflects well. For teams like the Patriots looking for explosion in the return game, as well as offensive players who present some matchup challenges, Rainey could be worthy of an early- to mid-round look as noted here.

7. Baylor's Kendall Wright time of 4.61 was a surprise. He is known for his speed.

EXTRA POINT: In digesting these numbers, there is always a balance of not putting too much stock into them. They are one piece in the overall puzzle. Yet considering one of the more important storylines this week was how some of the big receivers would run, the numbers are notable as long as they are kept in the proper context.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quick hits on some of the top prospects at the combine who might be of interest to the Patriots from a pass-rush perspective:

1. Clemson DE/OLB Andre Branch. With 10.5 sacks last season, the 6-foot-4, 259-pound Branch has solid size to possibly fit as a defensive end in a four-man front or outside linebacker in a 3-4. Branch talked about how Clemson had certain packages on defense where he dropped into coverage, which showed he is more than just a pass rusher. At the same time, he prides himself on getting to the quarterback, often using a "dip" move that he called his favorite. He models his game after Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. "I'm a versatile player. I can stand up, I can run sideline to sideline and I can also drop into coverage. And I'm a natural born leader," said Branch, who graduated in December with a degree in sociology. He's a projected first- or second-round pick.

2. North Carolina DE Quinton Coples. Considered by analysts as a boom or bust first-round option, the 6-foot-5, 284-pound Coples has dominated at times, while disappearing at others. He enters the draft with the rap that he shut it down as a senior. "It was a situation that my coach asked me to do, make a change. I made that change and I think I think I ran into some things a little more than I should have instead of just playing the game that I love," he explained. "It kind of affected my game. But overall, I went to the Senior Bowl, I did some things, and I showed them that I can compete at the highest level." Coples is the type of player who could slide on draft day, but in the event that happens, it's hard to imagine it would be as far as the Patriots' pick at 27.

3. Marshall DE/OLB Vinny Curry. After posting 23 sacks over the last two seasons, Curry put himself on the NFL radar as a rising pass rusher. He measured 6-foot-3 and 266 pounds and is viewed by analysts as a likely second-round pick. Because he didn't play at a big-time college, Curry enters the NFL with a chip on his shoulder. "I like stuff like that. I love being the underdog," he said. "I feel the underdog always works harder, always has something to prove. That’s my personality. I just love to work, I love to get better. I just like the game of football. When you’re in love with this game and you’ve got a passion for it it’s a different mindset."

4. South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram. From a body prototype perspective, the 6-foot-1, 264-pound Ingram didn't pass the eye-ball test as someone that would be targeted by the Patriots. In the perfect world, the Patriots like a player with a bit more length, but there is no denying Ingram's pass-rush explosion. He's been working with Broncos DE Von Miller, and like Miller, Ingram said he prides himself on athleticism and relentless approach to get to the ball. "We just try to compete against each other every day," he said. "Obviously, he's the Defensive Rookie of the Year. So I just try to pattern myself after him because I feel like he's had a lot of success in the NFL." Ingram is projected as a top 15 pick by analysts.

5. Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw. A projected first-round pick, likely off the board before the Patriots' first selection at 27, Upshaw is another "tweener" with scheme versatility. "We had a nickel package where I played a 4-3 as the end, away from the tight end, in a 5-technique, hand-on-the-ground, dropping out of a three-point stance in coverage if the D-end had to. So I'm real comfortable with doing that. We played an odd front where I was also an end but three down linemen so I'm real comfortable playing with my hand in the dirt," he said. Bill Belichick's ties with Alabama coach Nick Saban are well documented, so any Crimson Tide prospect warrants a closer look. When a reporter asked about a link to the Patriots, Upshaw pointed out he was a Colts fan (no truth to the rumor that Upshaw was promptly removed from the Patriots' draft board).

INDIANAPOLIS -- Setting the schedule for the fourth day of the NFL Combine (full four-day agenda here):

Focusing on the back end. This is the day that cornerbacks and safeties are scheduled to come to the media center for interviews. It is also possible that some of the defensive linemen and linebackers who didn't make it over on Saturday could come by, such as Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Wrapping up the pro side. A total of 44 NFL head coaches and personnel executives held news conferences at the combine over the last three days. Sunday is almost always quieter on that front. The lone news conferences today are media-based, with NFL Network analysts Mike Lombardi and Mike Mayock later in the day.

Who's working out? Quarterbacks, receivers and running backs. For the Patriots, who figure to be looking closely at receivers, how well some of the bigger targets run will be important information today.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quick hits from the third day of the NFL combine:

1. Randle makes his presence felt. LSU receiver Rueben Randle, who is one of the highly-rated big targets in the draft, arrived at the media center late this afternoon and was in command as he answered questions from reporters. Impressive poise. He said he measured 6-foot-2 7/8 and weighed 210 pounds at the combine. When asked why he decided to enter the draft after his junior season, Randle said he felt he accomplished a lot -- "33 wins in three years" and that was the reason he attended school there, to win. When asked what style of receiver he'd like to model himself after, he chose Detroit's Calvin Johnson, who makes plays down the field as well as after the catch. The general sense from this perspective is that Randle, who is a first-round projection, will interview well with teams.

2. Sanu checks in. Couldn't get over to listen to Rutgers receiver Mohamed Sanu, another highly touted bigger receiver in this draft, but Erik Scalavino of Patriots.com was nice enough to hand over his recorder so I could listen to the audio of it. Sanu touched on how he prides himself as an all-around receiver, and answered questions about his speed, ability to separate, and former Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano, among others. Sanu said he keeps in touch with Patriots players and Rutgers alums Devin McCourty and Tiquan Underwood -- both of whom play for the Patriots -- and that he sometimes crossed paths with Bill Belichick when Belichick would visit campus. Tremendous production in 2011 from Sanu, who had 115 receptions.

3. Jeffrey touts his hands. South Carolina's Alshon Jeffrey, who said he weighed in at 216 pounds after playing at 230 last season, talked about his strong hands being the asset that sets him apart from other big receivers. He hopes to play around 215 pounds in the NFL as he feels lighter and faster at that number, and pointed to better route-running as one area he could improve. Jeffrey's statistics dipped considerably last season, in part because of quarterback changes, and that is part of what makes him a challenging projection for scouts. He is viewed by analysts as a late first-round or second-round pick. "Every kid in America when they grow playing football wants to go in the first round," he said.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quick hits from the third day of the NFL combine:

1. Easy to see why Pats have been linked to Mercilus. Illinois defensive end/outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus has been connected to the Patriots in some mock drafts, and purely based on body type and interview skills, it's easy to see why. Mercilus (6-3, 260) already looks like an outside linebacker for a 3-4 defense like the Patriots and he was impressive in his news conference. One area where a player like Mercilus figures to get "dinged" in the scouting process is that he has one year at top production (16 sacks and 9 forced fumbles last season), putting him in the "one-year wonder" category. Mercilus acknowledged it's a negative label, but said "16 is 16" when it comes to his sacks and that he was still learning the game before his breakout season. He enters the draft after his junior campaign and when it comes to disruptive pass-rushers, he is near the top of the list this year. His rising stock was reflected in how he initially was seated at an interview table today before combine organizers moved him to an interview podium because of media interest.

2. Cox gets support from Patriots' Love. Like Mercilus, Mississippi State defensive lineman Fletcher Cox is another player who already has the prototypical NFL body type. He is 6-foot-4 and weighed 298 pounds here and also made a favorable impression in his news conference. He had been communicating with Patriots defensive lineman Kyle Love, his old Mississippi State teammate, earlier in the day. "I just got done texting Kyle. He asked me when my workout was and I told him Monday. He told me he would be watching and wished me good luck," Cox relayed, adding that Love taught him a lot when they played together. "I was a freshman and he was a senior; he showed me the ropes and told me once he left that I was the next thing coming through."

3. UConn's Reyes touts his versatility. UConn defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, who is from Nashua, N.H., seemed to enjoy his news conference. When one reporter asked him a few questions about whether he was a Patriots fan and could envision himself playing for New England given his roots, he responded, "You can't get me with that one." Reyes, who stressed the message that he'd be happy with any of the NFL's 32 teams, measured 6-foot-4 and weighed in at 299 pounds. He touted his versatility as one of his strengths, while also lauding his UConn experience. "It's a great program. It's prepared me very well," he said. "It's a very blue-collar type of program, we work hard there, that's what we do. Mentally, I feel ready. Anything that will come by my way, I feel prepared."

4. Everyone loves Romeo. Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel held the final pro-based news conference of the day, and then a large crowd of reporters followed him outside the media center to continue the discussion. Many of the reporters were from Cleveland, where Crennel had previously served as head coach. At the end of the media chat, one reporter joked that all the female reporters at the combine were gathered around waiting for their hug. Crennel seems to be well-liked among reporters, which is probably a result of him being viewed as a good person who has worked hard to make it to the top of his profession.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quick hits from the third day of the NFL combine:

1. Welker has created a "slot" brand. It's like deja vu everytime an undersized quick receiver enters the media center. Inevitably, the prospect is asked about playing a Wes Welker style of game. The latest was Fresno State's Devon Wylie (5-9, 187). "I've heard it since my junior year when I really started standing out," Wylie said of comparisons to Welker. "It is a great compliment." Wylie is projected as a mid- to late-round pick and he's one of the faster players in the draft (4.33 in the 40), so that makes him a bit different from Welker. But he has some dynamic abilities in the return game, an area the Patriots must address this offseason.

2. NC State's Kuhn linked with Vollmer. When it comes to late-round defensive line prospects, Markus Kuhn of NC State has one of the more interesting backgrounds. Born in Germany, he came to the United States on a college tour when he was 20, saying he hoped to play football. While not the same path that Patriots offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer took, Kuhn is naturally aware of him. "He's an unbelievable story," said Kuhn, who hasn't met Vollmer. Kuhn said he measured at 6-foot-4 and weighed 299 pounds. One of the older prospects in the draft at 26, he is represnted by agent Neil Cornrich.

3. Wolfe to follow in Wright's footsteps? The Patriots received great return on their investment in defensive lineman Mike Wright after signing him as a rookie free agent out of Cincinnati in 2005. With Wright released by the Patriots on Wednesday, and the Patriots in need of developing interior pass rushers, perhaps they look to Cincinnati's Derek Wolfe, a projected mid-round pick. Wolfe said he's most comfortable playing 3-technique (outside shade on the guard), but he's willing to do it all. "Everything I've heard [about Wright] is good, how he's a hard worker and the type of guy you'd want to model your play after, his motor and everything," he said. As for his own play, Wolfe said he'd like to be seen as a relentless pass rusher.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some quick hits from the third day of the NFL combine:

1. James Sanders and his 2011 season with the Falcons. With Atlanta head coach Mike Smith meeting with the press this morning, it was a chance to catch up with him on former Patriots safety James Sanders. The Patriots released Sanders at the end of the 2011 preseason and the Falcons signed him to a one-year deal, with Sanders playing 15 games (6 starts). Said Smith: "James is one of the 17 free agents that we have and he was a very good addition, a solid addition for our secondary with his experience, even though he's a young player [28]. We got him late, he was a guy who joined our football team right before the season started, so there was an acclimation period but when he got the opportunity to play, he played well. He was a stabilizing factor in our secondary. I really like his makeup, his skill set as a guy that can play strong and free safety."

2. Victor Cruz' rise is prevalent at combine. It's been noticeable how the emergence for former UMass receiver Victor Cruz is on the mind of many media members, which in some ways has raised UMass' profile across the country. One example came this morning when Giants general manager Jerry Reese was asked about Cruz. Reese wouldn't take credit for "finding" Cruz, saying that the Giants missed him just like other teams, rating him only as a free agent. "He had a couple redeeming qualities that we liked -- quickness and his hands and how he understood the offense -- but we had him rated just like everybody else," he said. "You get lucky like that sometimes in scouting."

3. When a sub defense becomes base. Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland noted that Miami was in sub packages about 70 percent of the time last season, while Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio put New England's number around 65 percent. Falcons coach Mike Smith was asked about the rise in sub packages and how it can almost be considered a base defense for teams at this point. "The game is becoming more of a spacing game, more spread sets, so the nickel back over the last four years for us has actually played more snaps than our third linebacker," he said. "A five-DB set, and even more so now you're seeing six DBs and seven DBs on the field, it does change. One of the things that when [new defensive coordinator] Mike [Nolan] and I talked about him joining our staff is that you have to play to get them to third down. That's when it really becomes fun. You have to get them into those third-down situations and that's when you get into situational football and I think that's where the game is really played." This is the type of high-level football talk you can get at the combine. Good stuff for the NFL junkie.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A few leftovers from the NFL combine that caught the eye:

1. Pete Carroll on how Kevin Faulk bucked the odds. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was asked to take a trip down memory lane on his time with the Patriots, specifically with his memories of running back Kevin Faulk, who joined the team as a second-round pick in Carroll's final year as coach (1999). Carroll never would have projected that Faulk, who might be retiring, would go on to play 13 seasons. "I probably underestimated the chip on his shoulder, to make him the great competitor that he is," Carroll said of a career that he described as "fantastic." Carroll added: "From the start of it, he kind of bucked the odds. He just didn't look like the guy that he wound up being. He overcame to prove that and showed that he has great staying power -- a great competitor."

2. Former Patriots TE Benjamin Watson makes impression on top prospect. Georgia tight end Orson Charles, who is considered one of the top players in the draft at the position, called former Patriots tight end and current Cleveland Brown Benjamin Watson his mentor. Like Charles, Watson attended Georgia. "People like that, you think they'd turn off their phone or reject you, but he watches us and a lot of teams from Georgia. He's just a great guy," he said. Charles added that Rob Gronkowski's impressive opening to his NFL career sparked his own decision to declare early for the draft, while Louisiana Lafeyette tight end Ladarius Green said, "I feel like it's a great time for tight ends to come out. They are doing so well right now in the NFL, it's just a great time to be a tight end right now."

3. Jeff Fuller, part of "big" WR class, won't work out. One of the things that several personnel men have said at the combine is that this draft is filled with big receivers, which seems like good news for the Patriots if their quest for more of a presence outside the numbers. Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller (6-4, 220) is part of that group and scouts have circled March 25 as a key day for him, as that is when he will hold a personal Pro Day. Fuller, who was highly touted at this time last year but didn't build on that in his final season, isn't working out at the combine after sustaining a stress fracture in his foot at the Senior Bowl. Had he entered the draft last year, he likely would have been generating more buzz than this year, which sets him up as a potentially undervalued asset in the early to mid rounds.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Keeping an eye on some prospects, from this perspective, who might be a good fit for the Patriots:

1. Considering if perception is reality with Rueben Randle. When things didn't go Randle's way on the field, he sometimes seemed to go in a funk, creating the perception of a player who could benefit from having a better attitude when things don't go his way. But LSU tight end DeAngelo Patterson, a late-round projection, spoke so glowingly of Randle that it makes one wonder if perception is reality. "Rueben, he’s a gifted athlete. He can run fast, he also catch the ball. When we’re at practice, I’ve never seen this guy drop balls. Our quarterback will throw the ball way in front of him and he’ll go run it down and go get it," Patterson said. "He’s a gifted athlete, an unbelievable guy off the field. Me and him used to stay in the same apartment complex, talked every night, and I just finished talking to him. That guy is just an unbelievable kid." Randle, who could be as high as a first-round pick, didn't come to the media center on Friday.

2. Arkansas receiver Jarius Wright. Razorbacks teammate Joe Adams was highlighted in this area yesterday, but Wright is also worthy of attention. He can fly. Like Adams, he is a smaller receiver at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, but he doesn't think size is an issue. "I look at guys like DeSean Jackson, Steve Smith, Mike Wallace, shorter fast guy who play bigger than their size," he said, before adding one of his combine goals is: "I want them to know [I] can run routes, too [and] can change directions well also." Wright comes out of a pro-style offense, which in theory, should make his projection to the NFL a bit clearer.

3. After Taylor Price, would Patriots consider Stephen Hill? The scouting report on Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill sounds like exactly what the Patriots need -- great length (6-5), and a leaper who is a deep-ball threat. But Hill played in an option offense, like 2010 third-round pick Taylor Price, and that only makes a potential jump to the Patriots that much greater. Naturally, teams asked him about playing in the unique college offense and how it affects him as a receiver. "Mostly I give them one of the most complicated routes that we had on the Tech offense," he said. "Mostly they want to know how I read the defense, how we are supposed to make a combination route," said Hill, who currently projects as an early-to-mid-round pick.

4. UCLA tight end Cory Harkey as blocker. With just 28 career receptions, the 6-foot-4, 272-pound Harkey could be worthy of a mid-to-late round flier as a third tight end who could develop into something more, similar to the team's approach in 2011 with fifth-round draft choice Lee Smith (Marshall) and rookie free agent Will Yeatman (Maryland). With just 28 career receptions in college (1 in his final season), Harkey is viewed as more of an in-line blocker at this point. He has athletic bloodlines as his father, Mike, was a baseball pitcher in the major leagues for 10 seasons.

5. Yale quarterback Patrick Witt. It's not often that you see an Ivy League quarterback in this setting, and Witt noted that he views one of his strengths as intelligence. At the same time, he pointed out that he transferred to Yale from Nebraska, so it's not like he hasn't seen the highest level of competition. For teams with a complex system like the Patriots who are looking to develop a quarterback behind the scenes for a year or two, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Witt could fit the bill as a late-round option or free agent.