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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- We're back at Gillette Stadium for the second day of the three-day NFL Draft.

Rounds 2-3 will unfold tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. The pace picks up a bit as there are seven minutes per selection in the second round, then five minutes per selection in the third round.

After trading out of the first round, the Patriots own the following selections in this year's draft:

Second round (52)
Second round (59)
Third round (83)
Third round (91)
Fourth round (102)
Seventh round (226)
Seventh round (229)
Seventh round (235)

With four selections tonight, the Patriots own more picks than any team over the next two rounds.

4 -- New England
3 -- Buffalo, Miami, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco
2 -- Jets, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Oakland, Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Giants, Washington, Philadelphia, Buccaneers, Detroit, Green Bay, Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis
1 -- Cleveland, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Chicago
0 -- Minnesota

The feeling here is that the most intriguing Patriots-based storyline entering the 2013 draft was the pursuit of a receiver. The topic was explored in this piece.

As we prepare for the second and third rounds of the draft, starting at 6:30 p.m., it's worth noting that this is the sweet spot for receivers.

With this in mind, here's our personal preference of those receivers who represent the best fit for the Patriots.

1. Markus Wheaton (Oregon State; pictured at right) -- One of the fastest receivers in the draft, although he is somewhat undersized (5-11, 189). At a diva position, he is considered to have terrific "football character." Some analysts say he is the closest thing to Mike Wallace (2009 third round) in this draft.

2. Robert Woods (Southern Cal) -- A more polished all-around receiver than Wheaton, the 6-foot, 201-pound Woods isn't as fast but he had tremendous production in college and is considered a smooth route-runner. (selected by Bills, 41st overall)

3. Keenan Allen (California) -- He doesn't run fast for the stopwatch, but plays fast and reminds some of Anquan Boldin. At 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, he is a bigger target.

4. Aaron Dobson (Marshall) -- At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he is a bigger receiver who has shown a knack for making the highlight reel catch. Not a speed burner, though.

5. Justin Hunter (Tennessee) -- A supreme talent, but doubts on how he'd fit with the Patriots. (selected by Titans, 34th overall)

6. Quinton Patton (Louisiana Tech) -- Solid pass-catcher and blocker who could be a nice fit as the second choice in a double-dip scenario.

7. Josh Boyce (Texas Christian) -- Height-weight-speed prospect who also has the mental aptitude to grasp a complex scheme.

8. Terrance Williams (Baylor) -- A confident playmaker on the outside, and at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds is an outside vertical threat.

9. Marquise Goodwin (Texas) -- Like Wheaton, he has something that can't be taught -- speed. Still developing as a pass-catcher.

Quick-hit thoughts on Day 2 of the NFL Draft (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. ET):

1. The general consensus on this year's draft is that the overall talent available in the first round was under market, but as we head into the second and (to some) third rounds, this is where the talent is a little bit over market than the norm. The Patriots' first round trade-out reflects that they see it the same way, and now it's up to them to make the right picks and cultivate those picks. Thus, this is a critical day for the Patriots.

2. I thought it was interesting that in some of his initial remarks on the trade with the Vikings, Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said, "We picked up a pick in the second round, picked up another pick in the third round and the fourth round, which we didn't have, and then got a seventh-round pick which we acquired as part of it as well. In years past, those [seventh-rounders] have been pretty valuable: we took [Alfonzo] Dennard, we’ve taken Julian Edelman, and we’ve taken guys like that." Why was Caserio spending more time on the seventh-rounder than the other picks? Probably because that put the deal over the top from the Patriots' perspective. Just an educated guess, the Patriots would have made the deal without it, but it probably gave them an even greater feeling of comfort in the trade. I don't believe there has been another 4-for-1 pick-for-pick deal in Belichick's tenure.

3. The first round was dominated by nine offensive linemen and 11 defensive linemen/linebackers. No running backs were selected, three receivers were picked, and just one quarterback and tight end were picked. So look for offensive skill-position players to be more prevalent in the second round. The Patriots need a receiver, the class is deep, and this remains the most intriguing New England-based storyline from this viewpoint (Oregon State's Markus Wheaton is our top choice). If receivers start coming off the board quickly, the Patriots now have the chips to trade up if they desire.

4. It bears repeating that the Patriots' trade with the Vikings can't be fully analyzed until we know what New England does with the picks, and even then, it will take some time. But from a general perspective, the compensation stacks up favorably when compared to other trades in the first round. Consider these deals:

Raiders from 3 to 12. To move down nine spots, the Raiders picked up a first-round pick (12th) and second-round pick (42nd).

Bills from 8 to 16. To move down eight spots, the Bills picked up a first-round pick (16th), second-round pick (46th), third-round pick (78th) and seventh-round pick (222).

Cowboys from 18 to 31. To move down 13 spots, the Cowboys picked up a first-round pick (31st) and third-round pick (74th).

Rams from 22 to 30. To move down eight spots, the Rams picked up a first-round pick (30th), third-round pick (92nd) and sixth-round pick (198th).

Patriots from 29 to 52. To move down 23 spots, the Patriots picked up a second-round pick (52nd), third-round pick (83rd), fourth-round pick (102nd) and seventh-round pick (229th).

5. Of all the deals in the first round, the Raiders and Cowboys looked like they took a discount. But sometimes looks can be deceiving depending on the viewpoint; ESPN.com's Mike Sando examines all the first-round trades in a unique way.

6. Always interesting to take a temperature of some of the instant analysis on picks, and it caught the eye that ESPN's Mel Kiper includes the Patriots' three AFC East foes among those whose moves he questioned (Insider content), and Don Banks of SI.som was also critical of the Dolphins and Bills.

A neat video clip is now posted on Patriots.com which shows footage from inside the team's draft room.

The video gives a feel for the limited number of people the Patriots have in their draft room, a group that includes Patriots coach Bill Belichick, director of player personnel Nick Caserio, football research director Ernie Adams, owner Robert Kraft, president Jonathan Kraft, director of college scouting Jon Robinson and assistant director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort. This is small compared to other draft rooms around the league.

Caserio is the point person on the phone and part of his conversation with Vikings assistant general manager George Paton is heard.

One conclusion that can be drawn from watching the video is that the seventh-round pick might have been the clincher from the Vikings to sweeten the deal. In his comments to reporters after the first round, Caserio mentioned some of the success the Patriots have had with those seventh-rounders (a topic we'll dive into in a blog post shortly).

To watch the video, CLICK HERE.

In the video above, ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss discusses the Patriots' trade with the Minnesota Vikings and looks ahead to what the Pats might do with their two picks in Round 2.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- After Thursday's first round, a second-round mock draft projection:

33. Jaguars – QB Ryan Nassib (Syracuse)
A nice 1-2 punch for first-year GM Dave Caldwell – landing a bookend tackle in the first round and then a quarterback to build around at the top of the second.
First-round pick: OT Luke Joeckel

34. 49ers – TE Zach Ertz (Stanford)
After losing Delanie Walker in free agency, the 49ers pick up one of the Jim Harbaugh’s former recruits to pair with Vernon Davis. This pick is from the Alex Smith trade.
First-round pick: S Eric Reid

35. Eagles – DE Damontre Moore (Texas A&M)
A potentially explosive edge rusher as the Eagles transition to a new-look defense.
First-round pick: OT Lane Johnson (Oklahoma)

36. Lions -- CB Jamar Taylor (Boise State)
A potential Day 1 starter opposite Chris Houston at a position the Lions haven’t selected in the first round since 1998.
First-round pick: DE: Ezekiel Ansah (BYU)

37. Bengals – RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama)
The bland, uninspiring offense that we saw in last season’s playoffs would get a big-time spark with Lacy and first-round pick Tyler Eifert.
First-round pick: TE Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame)

38. Cardinals – DE Tank Carradine (Florida State)
Would address the need for an outside rusher; after going with a safe pick in the first round, this one is more high-risk, high-reward as Carradine is coming off a torn ACL.
First-round pick: G Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina)

39. N.Y. Jets – QB Geno Smith (West Virginia)
GM John Idzik saw first-hand how the Seahawks were galvanized by QB Russell Wilson, and he envisions a similar scenario with the Jets and Smith.
First-round picks: CB Dee Milliner (Alabama); DL Shedon Richardson (Missouri)

40. Titans – S Jonathan Cyprien (Florida International)
Steps into a special teams role from the start and can ultimately take over for veterans Bernard Pollard and George Wilson at strong safety.
First-round pick: G Chance Warmack (Alabama)

41. Bills: WR Justin Hunter (Tennessee)
They went with the strong-armed quarterback in the first round, and now focus on getting him a down-field target.
First-round pick: QB EJ Manuel (Florida State)

42. Raiders: QB Matt Barkley (Southern Cal)
Veteran Matt Flynn’s presence can help bring Barkley along at a slower pace, if necessary.
First-round pick: CB D.J. Hayden (Houston)

43. Buccaneers: DT Kawann Short (Purdue)
The Buccaneers’ defense requires more attention this offseason than the offense, and Short could be a nice complement inside to Gerald McCoy.
First-round pick: None (traded for Darrelle Revis)

44. Panthers: OT Menelik Watson (Florida State)
First-year general manager Dave Gettleman starts the building process at the line of scrimmage with his top picks.
First-round pick: DT Star Lotulelei (Utah)

45. Chargers: G Larry Warford (Kentucky)
First-year GM Tom Telesco has some big holes to fill at the line of scrimmage and hopes he’s landed two starters with his first two picks.
First-round pick: OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama)

46. Bills: LB Arthur Brown (Kansas State)
After a focus on offense, the Bills turn their attention to defense with an athletic ‘backer who fits their scheme.
First-round pick: QB E.J. Manuel (Florida State)
Second-round pick: WR Justin Hunter (Tennessee)

47. Cowboys: RB Giovani Bernard (North Carolina)
Adds important depth behind DeMarco Murray, while offering a different type of running style.
First-round pick: C Travis Frederick (Wisconsin)

48. Steelers: RB Montee Ball (Wisconsin)
With Rashard Mendenhall departed in free agency Ball could step in immediately and play a big role.
First-round pick: OLB Jarvis Jones (Georgia)

49. Giants: ILB Kevin Minter (LSU)
A potential fixture at a spot where the Giants currently have a question mark.
First-round pick: G Justin Pugh (Syracuse)

50. Bears: LB Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Some thought the Bears might take Te’o in the first round, but they could get him here.
First-round pick: OL Kyle Long (Oregon)

51. Redskins: CB Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State)
With their top corners all set to hit free agency next year, thinking to the future takes on added importance.
First-round pick: None (Robert Griffin III trade)

52. Patriots: CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (UConn)
A player we had pegged for the Patriots if they picked in the first round makes it to them at this pick acquired from the Vikings.
First-round pick: None

53. Bengals: WR Robert Woods (Southern Cal)
They load up on offense with their first three picks and then it would all come down to quarterback Andy Dalton’s efficiency in putting it all together.
First round: TE Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame)
Second round: RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama)

54. Dolphins: OT Terron Armstead (Arkansas Pine-Bluff)
This pick could be traded to the Chiefs for offensive tackle Branden Albert, but if the Dolphins keep it, this could be where they address the offensive line.
First round: DE Dion Jordan (Oregon)

55. Packers: DL Jonathan Hankins (Ohio State)
A developmental type nose tackle that they were looking for when they hosted Steelers restricted free agent Steve McClendon.
First round: DE/OLB Datone Jones (UCLA)

56. Seahawks: DL Margus Hunt (SMU)
The team that thinks outside the box more than most seems like the perfect fit for an intriguing talent still figuring it all out.
First round: None (Percy Harvin trade)

57. Texans: OLB Jamie Collins (Southern Mississippi)
Another pass-rushing presence to contend with who provides depth coming off the edge.
First round: WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson)

58. Broncos: DE/OLB Cornelius Washington (Georgia)
Potential to chip in as an edge rusher as Broncos look to fill the void created by Elvis Dumervil’s departure.
First round: DL Sylvester Williams (North Carolina)

59. Patriots: WR Markus Wheaton (Oregon State)
Would add an element of speed on the outside that could be intriguing.
First round: None
Second round: CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (UConn)

60. Falcons: DT Bennie Logan (LSU)
Interior presence for a team running the 4-3 who could help the club’s long-terms plans.
First round: Desmond Trufant (Washington)

61. 49ers: DT John Jenkins (Georgia)
Adding some size and power to the middle of the defense.
First round: S Eric Reid (LSU)
Second round: TE Zach Ertz (Stanford)

62. Ravens: WR Keenan Allen (California)
Ozzie Newsome trades away veteran Anquan Boldin and then selects the prospect sometimes compared to him.
First round: S Matt Elam (Florida)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- How did Thursday's trade unfold from a Vikings perspective?

Just as Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio explained from the New England side, things also came together quickly for the Vikings. So quickly, in fact, that general manager Rick Spielman had to cut short a news conference, while head coach Leslie Frazier was conducting a radio interview at the time the deal was being made.

Judd Zulgad of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities captures the scene:

The first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night was nearing its end as Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman fielded questions inside the Winter Park fieldhouse about Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

After answering nine questions, Spielman excused himself as team spokesman Tom West explained that the GM would be back shortly. Spielman then sprinted toward the team's draft room, where assistant general manager George Paton and director of college scouting Scott Studwell were working the phones.

Turns out there was a good reason Spielman had to take a break.

Shortly thereafter the Vikings were back on the clock with their third pick of the first round, having traded a second-, third-, fourth- and seventh-round choice to New England for the 29th pick. The Vikings used that selection on Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

"We had talked about potentially moving up to try to go get him (Friday), but when something came to fruition tonight while I was talking to you guys we wanted to jump on that," Spielman said. "We were very, very aggressive to go do that just because I know what he can do as a receiver. But especially what he can do as a potential punt and kickoff returner because he is magic in that area as well."

Likewise, Frazier also had to cut short a radio interview.

"Before I left to go do the interview I had just talked to Rick and some of our other people about, 'What do we have to do to get back in the first (round) or do we have to wait until (Friday) to have chance to go back and get Cordarrelle,'" Frazier said. "They said, 'It may have to be (Friday).' It, of course, turned out to be tonight so that was great."

To read the piece on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, CLICK HERE.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots player personnel director Nick Caserio said that Thursday night's trade with the Minnesota Vikings did not begin to materialize until shortly before the Patriots were set to make the 29th overall selection.

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

Caserio said that trade talks with other teams persisted even as the Vikings dialed up New England "a pick or two out" before the Patriots were set to make their choice.

"We had conversations throughout, I would say, once we got to a certain point in the middle of the draft," he said. "We had some exchanges back and forth and as we got a little closer there were a few more calls."

The Patriots netted extra picks in the second, third, fourth, and seventh rounds in exchange for the 29th pick, which the Vikings used to select wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

"It's an opportunity to add more players to our team," Caserio said. "We feel pretty good about going into tomorrow. We have four picks and went into the day potentially having only two picks."

As far as what's available on Friday night, Caserio pointed out that players who the Patriots targeted with the 29th pick remain on the board, and didn't rule out the possibility of them trading up."

"If some of those players start to come off then we want to make a move up, we have maybe a little more flexibility to do that," Caserio said. "I think we're open to anything at this point, so we'll have to see how it unfolds once we get started."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The fun begins Friday for the Patriots.

"We feel good going into tomorrow," director of player personnel Nick Caserio said late Thursday night. "We have four picks and went into the day potentially having only two picks. ... We feel there are some players littered throughout this draft, some players [still available] that could have gone in the first."

A few thoughts on directions the Patriots could go:

Receiver. Three pass-catchers went in the first round -- Tavon Austin (8, Rams), DeAndre Hopkins (27, Texans) and Cordarrelle Patterson (29, Vikings) -- leaving the likes of Southern Cal's Robert Woods, Oregon State's Markus Wheaton, Baylor's Terrance Williams, Cal's Keenan Allen, Texas Christian's Josh Boyce and Marshall's Aaron Dobson still available, among others. The Patriots can get a quality receiver (or more than one) and the draft sets up nicely for them to do so on Friday. They don't come much faster than Wheaton, who would be the choice from this perspective.

Cornerback. Four cornerbacks went in the first round – Dee Milliner (9, Jets), D.J. Hayden (12, Raiders), Desmond Trufant (22, Falcons) and Xavier Rhodes (25, Vikings) -- but this position is considered to have some of the best depth in the draft. UConn's Blidi Wreh-Wilson, if he's still available when the Patriots select, could be a good fit. Others to consider: Boise State's Jamar Taylor, Mississippi State's Johnathan Banks and Mississippi State's Darius Slay.

Coverage linebacker. If the Patriots are serious about adding more of a coverage element to their linebacker corps, Kansas State's Arthur Brown is among those still available. UConn's Sio Moore and Southern Mississippi's Jamie Collins also could fit.

Interior offensive line. It's hard to imagine the Patriots not coming out of the draft with an interior lineman, and even after nine offensive linemen were selected in the first round, this is still considered a deep class. UCLA's Jeff Baca is a midround possibility who could appeal to the Patriots because of his position flexibility and athleticism. Tennessee guard Dallas Thomas also took a pre-draft visit to the Patriots and might be of interest. Still a lot of guard options to consider.

Wild card. Since they've given themselves more margin for error with the extra draft picks, the Patriots could consider someone like Florida State defensive end Tank Carradine, who is coming off a torn ACL. A pick like that might be hard to make with just five overall selections, but perhaps now the Patriots would be more willing to delve into that area. Carradine is a potential difference-maker in the front seven. Also, defensive lineman Margus Hunt, whose age (26) might lead him to drop on draft boards, could be the type of prospect who lands on the radar.

Patriots draft picks
Second round (52)
Second round (59)
Third round (83)
Third round (91)
Fourth round (102)
Seventh round (226)
Seventh round (229)
Seventh round (235)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- As expected, the Patriots traded out of the first round, shipping their 29th overall selection to the Vikings for second-, third-, fourth- and seventh-round draft choices.

This move reflects the Patriots' belief that the quality of player they will select in the second round is similar to what they were looking at with the 29th selection. They didn't enter the day coveting many players in this draft. To move down 23 drops is a significant drop, but the Patriots -- who were handcuffed with just five selections entering the day -- now get some flexibility that they covet on draft day (8 overall selections).

Chances are they aren't done wheeling and dealing.

Given the Patriots' need at receiver, one question to ask is whether it would have been better to target one of the top pass-catchers still available. With the 29th pick acquired from Patriots, the Vikings selected Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, and his career figures to be closely watched from a New England perspective. If he becomes a No. 1 receiver that the Patriots could have used on the outside, this could mirror what unfolded in 2009 with a trade down with the Packers, who took pass-rusher Clay Matthews. We'll also keep an eye on any defenders who go off the board between 29-52 along these lines.

But the initial instinct from here is that the Patriots will be able to address receiver (Markus Wheaton?), and other areas such as cornerback (Blidi Wreh-Wilson?) with picks that many analysts have pegged as the sweet spot of a draft that was low on star quality but had some quality depth into the second and, in the eyes of some, third rounds.

Naturally, it's too early to judge this trade without seeing what the Patriots do with the picks. But a trade down was something endorsed at this address before the draft, and nothing changed that viewpoint based on the way the board fell.

EXTRA POINT: For what it's worth, the draft value chart on Ourlads.com totals the points of the picks trades as 648 for the Patriots and 640 for the Vikings.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots have traded the 29th overall selection to the Vikings.

The Patriots receive the following picks in return:

Second-rounder (52)
Third-rounder (83)
Fourth-rounder (102)
Seventh-rounder (229)

Overall, the Patriots -- who entered the day with five selections -- now have the following picks:

Second round (52)
Second round (59)
Third round (83)
Third round (91)
Fourth round (102)
Seventh round (226)
Seventh round (229)
Seventh round (235)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced tonight that his family has netted $617,000 in total contributions to the One Fund-Boston.

Kraft touched on the significance of the number, as Boston's area code is 617. Donations to the team's charitable foundation came in slightly under the $617,000, with the Krafts matching the first $100,000, but Kraft said his family upped its contributions to hit the mark.

"I just felt it was right, that it was karma, to go to 617," Kraft said, before adding that if contributions keep pouring in perhaps "781" -- another area code in suburban Boston.

At the annual Patriots draft party, the Krafts hosted 25 members of the Boston Police Department, all of whom were first responders to the Boston Marathon bombings.

Kraft introduced the first responders to the crowd and then presented each of them with a Patriots game jersey with the No. 1 and the word "Boston" on the back.

"How these people responded was unbelievable. These are true heroes," Kraft said.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Patriots owner Robert Kraft shared insight tonight on how the team views the 2013 NFL Draft.

“Everyone who is knowledgeable about this draft, it’s not a draft that people consider real deep,” Kraft told reporters at the team’s annual draft party at Gillette Stadium.

That doesn’t mean the Patriots can’t hit on some talented players – Kraft highlighted how quarterback Tom Brady was the 199th overall pick in 2000 – but Kraft tempered expectations.

“It’s going to be very hard for someone who gets drafted to come in and start on our team. You never know … maybe there are 2-3 players who have an opportunity to do that,” he said. “The NFL is a business about quality depth management; I’ve been saying that since the beginning. If you want to be successful year in and year out in this business, you have to have depth and you have to have a plan. It doesn’t happen by remote control.”

Kraft added that while the draft isn’t deep, he’s sure the Patriots will be better by the time the draft ends on Saturday.

“I don’t want to win the [public relations] battles today; [it’s] whatever works to make our team better,” he said. “We have a plan what to do, and whom to pick. At the same time, given what comes our way, we’re prepared. …

“This is a big part of it, but a big part of it also comes when the draft is over and homework we’ve done on all the players that are eligible, street free agents we’ll get. There is an area where there’s tremendous value and probably people could make our team in various roles.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots' initial selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, which is 29th overall, isn't scheduled to be made until around 10:45-11 p.m. ET.

But the action starts at 8 p.m. ET, and we'll be following along with a quick-hit analysis on each pick.

1. Chiefs -- OT Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) -- Could be a franchise-type left tackle, but unlike last year when QB Andrew Luck went first overall, this reflects how it's not a draft filled with stars. Patriots left tackle Nate Solder, who went No. 17 in 2011, might have been a top pick in this year's class.

2. Jaguars -- OT Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M) -- New regime of GM Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley go with the sure thing, giving them insurance if left tackle Eugene Monroe isn't re-signed after the 2013 season. Joeckel will likely start at right tackle as a rookie.

3. Dolphins (from Raiders) -- DE Dion Jordan (Oregon) -- General manager Jeff Ireland has had the most aggressive offseason of any executive in the NFL -- it started in free agency and extended into the draft. A Jordan/Cameron Wake duo will be bringing the heat on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The first big surprise of the draft.

4. Eagles -- OT Lane Johnson (Oklahoma) -- With aging tackles on the roster, the Eagles land a young bookend who can play on either side, potentially protecting the blindside of left-handed quarterback Michael Vick at right tackle.

5. Lions -- DE Ezekiel Ansah (BYU) -- They look to replace Cliff Avril with one of the most athletic players in the draft, but a prospect who is viewed as raw and anything but a sure thing. The selection highlights how the players at the top of this draft aren't at the same level of those in previous drafts.

6. Browns -- DE Barkevious Mingo (LSU) -- After signing Paul Kruger to a big-money deal in free agency, and with top pass rusher Jabaal Sheard already on board, the Browns have three highly touted defenders who can get after it. This could be one of the tougher defenses the Patriots face this season (Dec. 8 at Gillette Stadium).

7. Cardinals -- G Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina) -- Better pass protection is a must, especially for a quarterback like Carson Palmer who is less prone to escape the pocket. Cooper is an athletic guard; the question is whether a guard is good value here.

8. Rams (from Bills) -- WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia) -- Another bold trade up the board and one the Rams can afford to make with extra picks from last year's deal with the Redskins (Robert Griffin III). They get the draft's top playmaking receiver to make life easier for quarterback Sam Bradford.

9. Jets -- CB Dee Milliner (Alabama) -- Darrelle Revis replacement. As long as he checks out medically, this looks like a solid pick for a rebuilding team.

10. Titans -- G Chance Warmack (Alabama) -- Head coach Mike Munchak was a guard and after paying big bucks to guard Andy Levitre in free agency, they land one of the draft's best guards to fortify the interior of the line, spark the running game and provide better protection for quarterback Jake Longer.

11. Chargers -- OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama) -- First-year general manager Tom Telesco fills an immediate need with a selection that highlights how this is a "trench" draft with the best quality viewed to be at the line of scrimmage. Six of the first 11 picks have been offensive linemen.

12. Raiders (from Dolphins) -- CB D.J. Hayden (Houston) -- General manager Reggie McKenzie trades back from third to 12th, picks up a second-round pick, and then goes with a cornerback whose stock seemed to rise as the draft neared. The Raiders are more than one player away, so the 2-for-1 exchange looks like a good one.

13. Jets (from Seahawks) -- DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri) -- A penetrating interior presence for coach Rex Ryan, who promises to play a more aggressive brand of defense. With the Dolphins moving up for defensive end/outside linebacker Dion Jordan (No. 3) and the Jets doubling up on defense with cornerback Dee Milliner and Richardson, AFC East foes are focusing on generating more resistance against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

14. Panthers -- DT Star Lotulelei (Utah) -- First-year GM Dave Gettleman came to the Panthers from the Giants, where stockpiling defensive linemen was a big part of the team's success. A good matchup for Patriots center Ryan Wendell in a "Monday Night Football" matchup on Nov. 18.

15. Saints -- S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas) -- Under first-year coordinator Rob Ryan, the Saints are rebuilding a unit that was shredded in 2012, and they start on the back end.

16. Bills (from Rams) -- QB EJ Manuel (Florida State) -- Major surprise, as many had the Bills going with Syracuse's Ryan Nassib because first-year coach Doug Marrone had coached him in college. This sets up some intrigue for the Patriots' season-opening game against the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. Will they face the wild card in Manuel? Or will it be the more well-known Kevin Kolb? A storyline to follow over the ensuing months, with the only question how soon Manuel will be ready to take the reins.

17. Steelers -- OLB Jarvis Jones (Georgia) -- Helps to fill the void created by James Harrison. One of the more predictable selections in an otherwise unpredictable first round.

18. 49ers (from Cowboys) -- S Eric Reid (LSU) -- With Dashon Goldson departing to Tampa in free agency, Reid should step in as a Day 1 starter as the 49ers trade up the board with Dallas, which felt the depth of the draft was condusive to moving back and still getting a quality player.

19. Giants -- G/T Justin Pugh (Syracuse) -- In a meat-and-potatoes draft heavy on offensive linemen, the Giants get younger on the offensive line with a player who could step in immediately at either tackle or guard. Solid and once again reflective of a draft without stars at the skill positions.

20. Bears -- G/T Kyle Long (Oregon) -- A surprise pick as few analysts had him rated this high. The Bears have invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason as it was one of the worst units in the NFL last year. Eight of the first 20 picks in the draft play offensive line.

21. Bengals -- TE Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame) -- Pairing him with Jermaine Gresham should help quarterback Andy Dalton and an offense that looked limited in the playoffs last season. The Patriots face the Bengals on the road on Oct. 6.

22. Falcons (from Rams via Redskins) -- CB Desmond Trufant (Washington) -- A trade up from the No. 31 spot to land a cornerback to pair opposite Asante Samuel. GM Thomas Dimitroff pulls off the trade with his former assistant Les Snead, now the Rams' general manager.

23. Vikings -- DL Sharrif Floyd (Florida) -- The player who slides down the board based on where analysts projected he'd be picked, the Vikings seem to get a good value at an aging spot on their roster.

24. Colts -- DE Bjoern Werner (Florida State) -- An edge rusher to help replace the departed Dwight Freeney. GM Ryan Grigson talked earlier this offseason about bringing in defenders with a bigger body type to fit the physical defense that coach Chuck Paganp hopes to employ, and Werner (6-3, 266) fits the mold.

25. Vikings (from Seahawks) -- CB Xavier Rhodes (Florida State) -- Bigger press corner can be part of the mix to help replace Antoine Winfield (Seahawks). Thought he could have been in the mix for the Patriots at No. 29. This is the pick the Vikings received from the Seahawks in exchange for receiver Percy Harvin.

26. Packers -- DE/OLB Datone Jones (UCLA) -- One year after selecting Southern Cal defensive end/outside linebacker Nick Perry, the Packers add another pass-rushing presence to help a defense that was shredded at times in 2012.

27. Texans --WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) -- General manager Rick Smith didn't hide the fact that the Texans planned to address this position, as it was Andre Johnson and a big drop-off at receiver.

28. Broncos -- DL Sylvester Williams (North Carolina) -- A versatile interior defensive lineman to help produce more pressure up the middle.

29. Vikings (from Patriots) -- WR Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) -- Perhaps the most versatile player in the draft, Patterson adds a dynamic presence to the Vikings offense. But it comes at a steep cost, and the four picks the Vikings gave up will prevent them from filling other needs on the roster.

30. Rams (from Falcons) -- LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia) -- The Rams have maneuvered their way around the first round, and wind up with an athletic linebacker to pair with James Laurinaitis. He had off-field concerns including a DUI arrest that led to him slipping down draft boards.

31. Cowboys (from 49ers) -- C Travis Frederick (Wisconsin) -- Not expected to be a first-round pick, Frederick was a first-team All-Big Ten selection who can play goth guard and center. The Cowboys have bookend tackles in Tyron Smith and Doug Free, but could use help on the interior.

32. Ravens -- S Matt Elam (Florida) -- A hard-hitting safety from a major program, Elam will be paired with free-agent pickup Michael Huff in a re-tooled Ravens defense. He doesn't have the range to replace Ed Reed, but will fit in with other physical Ravens defenders.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Welcome to Gillette Stadium, where Patriots draft headquarters is located. This is also where a large number of reporters covering the team will work tonight.

Here at ESPNBoston.com, it's me and Mike Rodak at Gillette. Colleague Field Yates is in New York at Radio City Music Hall assisting ESPN on the television side.

The plan will be to keep a running blog post on each pick in the draft, with a quick-hit thought. Feel free to join in the discussion in the comments section of that blog entry when it goes live at 7:55 p.m. ET.

Any other relevant Patriots information -- such as how the club is hosting members of the Boston police department tonight (hat tip Erik Scalavino) -- will also be passed along on the blog. The team's annual draft party is taking place in the club here at Gillette, and owner Robert Kraft is expected to address the crowd before the draft. In New York, former Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi -- who helped some of those injured in the Boston Marathon bombings -- has been picked to announce New England's first selection.

The feeling here is that there is a strong likelihood of the Patriots attempting to trade the No. 29 overall pick, assuming they can find a dance partner. My sense is that they don't covet any particular player in the draft that is expected to be on the board by the time they pick, although there is always the possibility of a player sliding in a pleasant surprise (e.g. Vince Wilfork in 2004).

The Patriots' No. 29 selection is expected to be made in the 10:45-11 p.m. ET range.