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With the NFL draft closing in, ESPNBoston.com is narrowing its list of prospects that it projects as the best fits for the Patriots at areas that seem likely the club could target:

Player: DeAndre Hopkins

School: Clemson

Position: Wide receiver

Listed height/weight: 6-foot-1, 214 pounds

Scouts Inc. rank: 6^th (scouting report)

Draft projection: Late first round/second round

Why he's on our list: The Patriots project to select a receiver at some point of the draft, and Hopkins was one of the most productive in this year's class. He isn't a burner, but has solid ball skills and big hands to catch the ball consistently. He enters the draft after his junior season. (school bio).

Recommended link: Robert Klemko of USA Today writes about Hopkins overcoming the odds as he's on the cusp of being drafted.

Key stat: Receptions improved in each of the last three seasons -- 52, 71 and 82, respectively.

Workout stat: Timed in the 4.5s in the 40-yard dash.

Steve Muench of Scouts Inc.: "A three-year starter, Hopkins is coming off a breakout junior season that saw him lead the ACC in receiving yards and touchdown catches with 18. In fact, the only FBS player who caught more touchdowns last year was West Virginia's Stedman Bailey. His greatest strength is arguably his 10-inch hands. He consistently extends and snatches the ball out of the air instead of letting it get to his frame and risking it ricocheting off his chest. Even though he has just average height there's a lot to like about his catching radius thanks to his 36-inch vertical jump and above average body control. In terms of his ability to get open underneath, he's not a crisp route runner at this point and his footwork is an issue. He wastes too much motion at the top of his stem and he'll have a tougher time separating from man coverage in the NFL until or unless he improves in that area. The good news is he has the foot speed to get better in that area plus he's already a zone buster that reads coverage well and isn't afraid to work the middle off the field. Finally, there's his big-play ability to consider. Don't be misled by his 17.1-yard per catch average last year. He does not project as an elite vertical threat. He ran in the 4.5s at his Pro Day and the Combine, which supports what you see on tape. While he's fast and athletic enough to challenge downfield in certain matchups, he doesn't have the second gear to consistently take the top off the coverage. In terms of his ability to produce after the catch, he shows good burst and vision but he isn't the most elusive runner and again he doesn't have breakaway speed."

In this clip (above) from our Patriots Draft Special, Trey Wingo poses the question that is first on the mind of fans: What’s the one thing the Patriots have to get out of this draft?

To ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, the answer is an easy one: “I look at the team and I see them complementing in the draft at various positions. But I see a major hole at outside wide receiver that needs to be filled.”

ESPN Analyst Trevor Matich picked two big play receivers who would fit that need and potentially be available for the Patriots: Justin Hunter of Tennesee and Aaron Dobson from Marshall.

YOUR TURN: How would you rank the Patriots' draft needs? Click HERE to set your own Patriots priorities and see if your fellow fans agree.

The recent trade of Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers makes the Jets one of the more compelling teams to watch at the top of the draft, which kicks off in just two days.

Along those lines, the trade also speaks to the fact that just one move can cause a trickle-down effect that not only impacts the two teams involved, but also the rest of the draft board.

As a testament to such, both Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay, ESPN's NFL draft experts, have each released an updated version of their first round mock drafts following the Revis trade, and in the case of Kiper, the Patriots pick for number 29 has changed.

Rather than taking Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor at pick 29, Kiper now has the Patriots slated to draft talented wide receiver Justin Hunter out of Tennessee. Hunter was among the most impressive receivers at the combine, checking in at 6-4, 196 pounds and running an electric 4.44 40.

Receiver is clearly among the team's top needs, and Hunter has the size and speed to stress a defense vertically.

The latest update from Kiper also stands as a testament to how difficult it is to project how the board will play out in front of the Patriots, as director of player personnel Nick Caserio alluded to on Monday. Draft prognosticators work hard to accurately project each pick, but the inevitably of draft day trades make it difficult for anyone to forecast how the events will unfold.

To see Kiper's latest projection (Insider content), click HERE.

In addition to the draft experts, ESPN.com's team of NFL bloggers is participating in a Twitter-based mock draft, for which James Walker, who runs the AFC East blog, is handling the duties of making the Patriots' selection.

After attempting to make a trade back in the order to acquire more picks (the Patriots have just five as of now, of course), Walker selected former USC wide receiver Robert Woods. Woods is regarded as a strong route runner and stands at 6-0, 201 pounds and ran a 4.51 forty at the combine.

To watch the blogger mock draft continue to unfold, click HERE.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Veteran safety Adrian Wilson, who signed with the New England Patriots this offseason after 12 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, has a commanding physical presence. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he stands out in the defensive backs meeting room to the point that teammates have dubbed him “Incredible Hulk.”

“He’s a big, strong guy, and I think physically [he] will be a strong player for us,” defensive back Devin McCourty said Tuesday during a break in the team’s offseason voluntary workout program.

“Then his knowledge of the game, and how much success he’s had in this league, to be able to pass that down to not just the young guys, but even a guy like myself going into my fourth year, I can still learn so much from him. Having him in the secondary, and on the defense to teach different guys and tell them things he went through, will be key for us.”

Cornerback Marquice Cole (5-10, 195) gave Wilson the "Incredible Hulk" nickname during the voluntary offseason program, which is now in its second week. McCourty has enjoyed being around Wilson.

“He’s integrated with us right away. We’re all having fun together and learning together," he said.

EXTRA POINT: McCourty is promoting an event to raise awareness and funds to fight sickle cell disease with his brother Jason, the Tennessee Titans cornerback, on June 9 in Jersey City, N.J. The McCourty brothers have partnered with the Embrace Kids Foundation on the campaign Tackle Sickle Cell, and will host a 5K Run/Walk in Liberty State Park. Each brother has set up his own fundraising team, and the brother who raises the most funds will watch the other dress up as the opposing team’s mascot. For more information, visit TackleSickleCell.org.

Every Tuesday on ESPNBoston.com, questions from Patriots followers are answered as part of a weekly mailbag. This week's mailbag has been posted and includes some of the following topics:

1. Assessing the chances that Bill Belichick will trade out of the first round in the draft.

2. Identifying some receivers at various points in the draft who catch the eye.

3. While the Patriots have a need at receiver, it shouldn't necessarily trump going for a defender.

4. With all the focus on a receiver, no overlooking the running game.

5. Might a quarterback be on the Patriots' radar?

6. Brandon Spikes and the possibility of a contract extension.

7. Rex Ryan, Darrelle Revis and the Jets.

The Patriots have the following draft picks in 2013:

1. 29th overall
2. 59th overall
3. 91st overall
7a. 226th overall
7b. 235th overall

Highlighting some of the recent players picked in the 59th spot:

2012: DE Vinny Curry (Eagles)
2011: WR Greg Little (Browns)
2010: RB Montario Hardesty (Browns)
2009: CB Sherrod Martin (Panthers)
2008: WR Dexter Jackson (Buccaneers)
2007: C Ryan Kalil (Panthers)
2006: OT Jeremy Trueblood (Buccaneers)
2005: DT Jonathan Babineaux (Falcons)
2004: S Sean Jones (Browns)
2003: LB Alonzo Jackson (Steelers)
2002: CB Sheldon Brown (Eagles)
1997: DL Brandon Mitchell (Patriots)
1990: QB Tom Hodson (Patriots)

ANALYSIS: The second-round is considered an area where teams are able to find starting level talent, even in the latter portion. The past 10 years of pick 59 have produced an All-Pro caliber center in Kalil, a solid, versatile defensive lineman in Babineaux, as well as a dependable cornerback in Brown. There’s a mixed bag of results elsewhere throughout the past decade, as the full jury remains out on Curry and Little. Interestingly enough, pick 58 has proven to be a sweet spot over the past four drafts: linebacker Lavonte David, wide receiver Torrey Smith and the Patriots’ own Sebastian Vollmer were all taken in that slot. Given that the Patriots have just five selections in this draft, the importance of making their top selections count is particularly high, as they have less draft capital to work with in the later rounds where they could have taken developmental-type prospects (2012 seventh-round pick Jeremy Ebert is an example of such a prospect).

With the NFL draft closing in, ESPNBoston.com is narrowing its list of prospects that it projects as the best fits for the Patriots at areas that seem likely the club could target:

Player: Blidi Wreh-Wilson

School: Connecticut

Position: Cornerback

Listed height/weight: 6-foot-0, 195 pounds

Scouts Inc. rank: 5th (scouting report)

Draft projection: Late first round/early second round

Why he’s on our list: Having quality depth at cornerback is critical with all of the spread passing attacks prevalent in the NFL. The Patriots, for example, were in their sub defense (5 or more defensive backs) on 57 percent of the defensive snaps in 2012. While the top of the depth chart looks solid with Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington, with Ras-I Dowling still looking to break through, the fact Talib is on a one-year deal could create a larger need down the road. The Patriots don’t always draft for immediate need and this could be one of those cases with Wreh-Wilson, who has all the intangibles the Patriots generally seek.

Recommended link: Dan Dibacco of the Erie Times News recaps how Wreh-Wilson got a modest start in his football career.

Key stat: Played in 45 career games; totaled just one interception in his final season.

Workout stat: Timed in the 4.4 range in the 40-yard dash.

Steve Muench of Scouts Inc.: “It’s never a bad thing to be four-year starter and two-time team captain as is the case with Wreh-Wilson, whose blend of work ethic and talent is impressive. As far as the off-season evaluation process is concerned, there’s a lot to like about the way he competed at the Senior Bowl. While he ran a much slower second 40 at the combine, he ran in the 4.4s on his first try and he reportedly ran in the same range if not a little faster at the Pro Day. Far more importantly, the tape backs up the quicker times. He appears more than fast enough to turn and run with NFL receivers on film. At 6006 and 195 pounds, he has excellent size for a corner. Taller corners can struggle to sink their hips and change directions quickly but he shows above average fluidity and balance for his size. Plus his route recognition and ability to anticipate breaks are better than average so he’s almost always under control. Here’s why he’s not a lock to go in the first round. He intercepted just three passes over the past two years and he may never be a playmaker at the next level. While he recorded a 36-inch vertical jump and he has 32-inch arms, he has small hands (8.5) for a corner prospect. In addition, he is a touch faster than quick and though he recovers well he can allow some separation when receivers make crisp breaks at the top of their stems.”

Just a quick note to cap off the night after today's fourth-annual ESPNBoston.com mock draft.

There had been some discussion about possibly extending things out into a second-round mock draft, but the fit isn't right at this time. With some other work-related responsibilities, it's going to be too challenging for me to pull off.

Perhaps it's something we can revisit in the future as we're always looking for new ways to engage and keep the high-level discussion going.

The fourth-annual ESPNBoston.com mock draft, which includes three insightful commenters on the Patriots blog, was completed on Monday. The Patriots' selection was California receiver Keenan Allen.

Allen was one of the Patriots' 30 pre-draft visitors. He is viewed as one of the better route-runners among receivers in the draft, although a slow time in the 40-yard dash will naturally lead some teams to have concerns.

There were other intriguing possibilities on the board in the mock draft, including WR Justin Hunter, CB D.J. Hayden, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Jamar Taylor, DE/OLB Tank Carradine, DE/OLB Datone Jones and DL Jesse Williams, among others.

If you were making the selection, what would you have done? And with perhaps a better feel for the talent in the draft, would you attempt to trade down if you were the Patriots?

Share your thoughts in the comments section of this blog entry, and vote in the accompanying poll.

The Patriots have the following draft picks in 2013:

1. 29th overall
2. 59th overall
3. 91st overall
7a. 226th overall
7b. 235th overall

Highlighting some of the recent players picked in the 29th spot:

2012: S Harrison Smith (Vikings)
2011: OT Gabe Carimi (Bears)
2010: CB Kyle Wilson (Jets)
2009: WR Hakeem Nicks (Giants)
2008: DL Kentwan Balmer (49ers)
2007: G Ben Grubbs (Ravens)
2006: C Nick Mangold (Jets)
2005: CB Marlin Jackson (Colts)
2004: WR Michael Jenkins (Falcons)
2003: LB Nick Barnett (Packers)
2002: OT Marc Colombo (Bears)
1997: CB Chris Canty (Patriots)

ANALYSIS: Assuming the Patriots keep the pick -- which is a big "if" given Bill Belichick's willingness to wheel and deal and the club having just five selections and likely wanting to increase that number by trading back -- the list above includes some solid quality. Harrison Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Ben Grubbs and Nick Mangold have been difference-makers for their clubs. Like every other pick, there are also some misses. Gabe Carimi has been a disappointment for Chicago, while Kentwan Balmer didn't pan out in San Francisco. It's also notable that Michael Jenkins, the 29th pick in 2004, is now with the Patriots after signing a one-year contract.

Passing along a handful of quick-hit thoughts from Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio's pre-draft news conference.

1. No clear-cut top position, but depth in the secondary, offensive line and receiver groups. "I wouldn't say [there's one position that is] head and shoulders [above the rest]; I would say there are some groups that there's quite a bit of depth, there's some good productive players. The secondary I think is an area, both the corner and the safety position, I think one of the things that's probably unique about that position, you've seen a few more players that have actually played multiple positions. Some have played safety, some have played corner, some have played the nickel position like [University of Florida safety] Matt Elam. There's, I'd say, versatile players in the defensive backfield; they're not necessarily confined to one particular spot. ... The offensive line is a good group. There are some good players in that group and there's a fair amount of receivers that are in a group as well."

2. With just five picks, does the mindset change and you attempt to create more flexibility by trying to add extra picks? "I think that sort of materializes in and of itself. Even going into the draft last year, we really hadn't had any substantive discussions about moving up or moving down. It just kind of happened to materialize once we were in the draft room. ... Could that happen when we get to the draft room on Thursday night? Possibly, but if we have five picks, we have five picks. We'll take it as it comes. I don't think it changes our philosophy. We're going to know the board top to bottom like we do every year."

Would you like more picks? "We'll take whatever we can get."

With so few draft picks, might undrafted rookies be a bigger focus this year? "Rookie free agents always play a big role in the draft. If you just look at our track record through the years, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Dane Fletcher, Justin Francis, Marcus Forston, Brandon Bolden, those guys last year. They are always a part of the equation. Just from a sheer numbers standpoint, the roster is right around, let's call it 70 players, give or take. We're going to be adding 20 more players to the team before we go to training camp, so that could come from draft picks, it could come from undrafted free agents. Whether or not they play a larger role this year, possibly."

3. Forecasting the first 28 picks. "It's difficult, but, let's just say we stay at 29, there's going to be 28 players that are going to come off the board. How are they going to come off the board? It's kind of hard to tell. You may have some degree of knowledge or you may have a feel one way or another. ... But where we're picking, it's hard to say, 'These 28 guys, they're going to be gone when we pick.' That's a little bit of a dice roll."

4. Wish list: improve. "I think our wish list is to improve the team. That's the bottom line."

5. Do we ever overstate the importance of the draft and lose sight of the fact that there are other avenues that contribute to the team-building process? "I think the draft is a part of the process. Really, the team-building exercise, it kind of never stops. It's ongoing, it's just specific to one segment of the year. Most of the time, free agency comes before the draft. We had one instance where it didn't. The team-building process is nonstop, it's ongoing, and once we get post-draft, there will be a period during training camp -- like Rob Ninkovich, just to pick a name, I think we signed him in August 2009 in training camp. And Rob has ended up being one of the better players that we've had in our program. It's constant, it's going, it really never stops, and in the end, the most important thing is to do whatever we can to help our team win games."

In this clip from our annual Patriots Draft Special, Mike Reiss, Tedy Bruschi and Trevor Matich discuss how much longer Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will be together in New England. Here's one highlight:

Reiss: Talking about Brady’s contract extension “If you asked Tom Brady honestly how long do you want to play, he’d say to that point, plus. I think he wants to even play beyond that. Of course the question is can he play beyond that? One thing I’d say that BB has said over the years that resonated with me is when you get to that point in your career the end can come quickly. It drops off fast … we haven’t seen that, but we have to be aware that that’s the case.”

Bruschi (laughing), responds to Reiss’ comment about it dropping off quickly.

Bruschi: “It does drop off quickly (laughter), yes. It’s a matter of one day you’re in training camp ... in my case you’re looking at yourself on film ... I remember watching a splicing of film when we were running a defense in training camp in 2009 and it was similar to what we were running in 2004, and it was spliced in ... You’d see the 54 of 2009 and then the 54 of 2004 and you’d say, ‘man, that guy’s good’ and then, ‘man, that guy’s slow.’

To hear more from the panel, watch the video above.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, donning a Patriots charitable association marathon jacket, opened his pre-draft press conference on Monday afternoon with remarks on the recent events at the Boston Marathon.

"Before we get started on the football front, just a prayer and a thought to the families of the victims and those directly affected by the events of last week. I think all of us were impacted indirectly, with some more directly than others. Thoughts and prayers I think are still with everybody as we're recovering, and I think a debt of gratitude is certainly in order for the law enforcement officials of Boston, specifically of Watertown, for their swift efforts of last week in their painstaking efforts to reach a resolution. [They] enabled us to kind of get back to some degree of normalcy, it's a slow process, I think we're all working through it, but without their efforts, we probably wouldn't even be standing here today having this press conference. Definitely a debt of gratitude and appreciation is in order for them. I think it's been pretty neat to see the city of Boston respond to the events. This is a strong city, it's a hard-nose city, it's a tough city, and the one thing about I think the people of Boston, we're going to fight and we're going to battle and some of the efforts of people last week -- the first to respond -- were pretty heroic on that front. Sitting down here at Gillette Stadium, you probably can't really understand the true impact that it had on people that were there alive, but that speaks to the city of Boston and what we're about."

Welcome to the fourth-annual ESPNBoston.com mock draft (2012 mock here; 2011 mock here; 2010 mock here).

"Mr. Scratch", "PatsFanTRichter", and "Clark12to81", three regulars in the comments section who add terrific insight to this blog, will join me in doing the selecting. The picks will be made in the comments section of the blog and then I'll cut-and-paste them into the main area of the blog.

The draft will proceed in the following order:

1. Chiefs (Mike Reiss) -- OT Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M) -- Tough year to have the No. 1 pick, sort of like the Patriots in 1991. There is no clear-cut No. 1 this year, just as there was disappointment in Patriots headquarters in ’91 in a draft where the top pick was defensive lineman Russell Maryland (the Patriots traded the pick to Dallas). The Chiefs say they’ve narrowed it down to four players at this point, and Joeckel plays a premium position (left tackle). Given the unfortunate hand they’ve been dealt, the Chiefs -- with a new regime led by head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey -- do the best they can here.

2. Jaguars (Mr. Scratch) -- DE/OLB Dion Jordan (Oregon) -- The Jaguars were the worst pass-rush team in football last year with a league-low 20 sacks recorded and no single player accounting for more than (3.5). Gus Bradley has had experience and success with lighter, quick pass rushers (Clemons, Irvin) playing an "elephant" type position on the edge and Jordan would fit the bill nicely with his productivity, flexibility and athleticism and hopefully provide a cornerstone on their defense.

3. Raiders (PatsFanTRichter) -- DT Star Lotulelei (Utah) –- The Raiders are in full rebuilding mode, but with no franchise quarterback on the board, they look to fill both a huge need and select the best player available. After receiving a clean bill of health concerning Lotulelei's heart, the Raiders go with him following the departures of Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly. Sharrif Floyd has raced up draft boards to become a potential top five pick, but Lotulelei is still the superior prospect, with power, quickness and length that will allow him to play inside and out.

4. Eagles (Clark12to81) -- OT Lane Johnson (Oklahoma) -- If Chip Kelly's high-powered offense is going to fly high it must first get off the ground. Injuries and poor depth grounded the Eagles' offense in 2012. LT Jason Peters and RT Todd Herremans are both over 30 and coming off significant injuries. In a class filled with freak athletes, Lane Johnson may be the best of all of them. “[Johnson] runs a 4.70 40 — that’s faster than Anquan Boldin did,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “He’s jumped 34 inches, that’s the same as A.J. Green. He broad jumps 9-10, the same as Stevan Ridley." Johnson would project to RT protecting left-handed Micheal Vick's blindside and allow Herremans to kick inside to RG . Along with Jason Peters and LG Evan Mathis, the Eagles would have the makings of a dominant offensive line. Other possibilities: LT Eric Fisher; CB Dee Milliner; Trade with Detroit, Arizona, or Miami (for Johnson)

5. Lions (Mike Reiss) -- OT Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) –- The Lions haven’t selected a cornerback in the first round since Terry Fair in 1998, and this could be a chance to break that string and solidify a position of need with Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner. But given the depth of this overall cornerback class, and the potential to replace franchise left tackle Jeff Backus (retired) with another potential franchise talent who played his college ball in the state, general manager Martin Mayhem goes in that direction. The only hesitation in making this move is that the Lions selected Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff in the first round last year. This could kick Reiff to guard.

6. Browns (Mr. Scratch) -- CB Dee Milliner (Alabama) -- Not only does this give the Browns potentially one of the best young CB duos in the league but it also fills an enormous and hard-to-find hole as Cleveland is really down to only slot guys (Owens, Wade, Skrine) in the No. 2 role. Combined with a dynamic front 7, Cleveland's defense would be shaping up nicely.

7. Cardinals (PatsFanTRichter) -- DE/OLB Ezekiel Ansah (BYU) – Ansah is the premier down-lineman prospect in terms of athleticism in this draft, and the Cardinals have a major need for a pass rusher. Despite standing 6-foot-5, he possesses elite movement skills and explosive power, and can play both standing up and with a hand on the ground. A lack of production at the collegiate level is concerning, but that is explained in part by his recent introduction to the game. With no elite quarterback prospect available, Ansah is chosen to serve as a foundational piece for the Cardinals' underrated defense.

8. Bills (Clark12to81) -- WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia) -- Trading down would be ideal here. At the same time the Bills have nothing beyond Stevie Johnson at receiver. Former Bills wideout Donald Jones is a Patriot and David Nelson is with the Browns. No matter who the Bills start at QB they need a reciver that can catch a 5-yard pass and make something happen and Austin is that type of dynamic playmaker. Paired with fellow speedster RB CJ Spiller, might just make people forget that Kevin Kolb is the starting QB. Other posibilities: G Chance Warmack, G Jonathan Cooper.

9. N.Y. Jets (Mike Reiss) -- DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo (LSU) – With 2011 first-round pick Muhammad Wilkerson and 2012 first-round pick Quinton Coples, the Jets go for the trifecta in terms of adding a dynamic playmaker to their front seven. This gives Rex Ryan, still weeping from losing cornerback Darrelle Revis, a chance to stop reaching for the Kleenex box and help spark more from a pass-rush that needs a boost.

10. Titans (Mr. Scratch) -- DT Shariff Floyd (Florida) -- The Titans have quietly had a very abundant and successful offseason and patched several holes, so there are really no glaring must fill needs. They could go OG but with a talented player like Floyd somewhat falling to this spot it would make sense to match him inside with Jurrell Casey, Sammie Lee Hill and Karl Klug and add a dynamic interior player to the fold.

11. Chargers (PatsFanTRichter) -- OG Chance Warmack (Alabama) – The Chargers' dreadful interior line is in dire need of a revamp, and Warmack is the kind of physical, mauling lineman they've had success with in the past. New head coach Mike McCoy is a former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator, and his attempt to recapture Philip Rivers' former high level of play starts with the quarterback's best friend, protection up front. Warmack has few holes in his game, possessing both incredible short-area power and mobility to pull and block in space. His height is less than ideal, but that's a minor nitpick for a player near the top of some draft boards.

12. Dolphins (Clark12to81) -- OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama) -- Miami really would like one of the top 3 OT prospects and could think long and hard about Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes at this point. Brent Grimes and Richard Marshall were brought in to help the secondary but OT is still the greatest need.

13. Jets (Mike Reiss) -- CB Xavier Rhodes (Florida State) – With the pick that the Jets received in exchange for Darrelle Revis, they select his potential replacement. Rhodes (6-1, 210) is a bigger, longer corner who has some unique physical traits. That’s a tough spot to put Rhodes in – he’d be compared to Revis for years if this scenario unfolds – but it’s also a great opportunity for Rhodes to play under a top-notch defensive coach in Rex Ryan. North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper also gets consideration, but in a deep draft for offensive linemen, the Jets can look to that area later.

14. Panthers (Mr. Scratch) -- S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas) -- Good news for the Panthers is that it seems likely there will be several players that would fit here (including Richardson, Cooper, Patterson, Hayden). Bad news is that they can't pick them all. Their secondary is a desperate need and Vaccaro would be a solid selection.

15. Saints (PatsFanTRichter) -- DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri) – With the arrival of Rob Ryan, the Saints' plan to install a new 3-4 defense this year, but lack the bodies needed in the trenches to run it effectively. Richardson isn't in the mold of a traditional 5-technique end, but he did play as an edge rusher at times for Missouri, and Ryan's schemes often call for only two down linemen to push the pocket. Long arms and heavy hands will allow him to control blockers when called upon to do so, but disruption and backfield penetration are Richardson's best skills, and that's what he'll be asked to do most often in the aggressive, attacking defense Ryan prefers.

16. Rams (Clark12to81) -- WR Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) -- After losing Danny Amendola in free agency, the Rams must find weapons for Sam Bradford. And much like Amendola, Patterson can also return kickoffs and punts. Patterson is a four-down player that maximizes the need/value at pick No. 16.

17. Steelers (Mike Reiss) -- OLB/DE Jarvis Jones (Georgia) – With James Harrison balking at a paycut and ultimately getting cut, the Steelers have a question mark at the outside linebacker spot opposite of LaMarr Woodley (who dipped in 2012). Jones could eventually fill it. He’s the type of versatile, athletic linebacker that would appeal to the Steelers.

18. Cowboys (Mr. Scratch) -- G Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina) -- Cowboys need OL help and Cooper can provide immediate assistance.

19. Giants (PatsFanTRichter) -- LB Arthur Brown (Kansas State) -- The Giants' defense was full of holes last year, and they also have to address glaring weaknesses on the offensive line and at tight end. But their prevailing need is at linebacker, where the mediocre Chase Blackburn lived up to his name, trailing behind ball-carriers at an alarming rate. Brown is smaller than the average NFL linebacker, but his speed, instinctiveness and tackling ability project him to be a quality three down defender in the league, and his leadership skills could help revitalize a suddenly vulnerable Giants' stop unit.

20. Bears (Clark12to81) -- LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia) -- With D.J. Williams brought in to man the ILB position vacated by Brian Urlacher, the Bears still need to replace Nick Roach outside and Lance Briggs is getting a little long in the tooth. Ogletree is capable of playing all three LB positions for the Bears so it's a natural fit at this point in the draft.

21. Bengals (Mike Reiss) -- RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama) – Solid on defense, this pick has a stronger likelihood of being on the offensive side, especially after watching how badly the Bengals struggled to move the ball in the playoffs. A receiver seems like a reach. So does an offensive tackle. Tight end Tyler Eifert could be intriguing, but the Bengals have some talent at that position. All of this leads us to Lacy (6.8 yards per carry over his career), who when teamed with BenJarvus Green-Ellis could help take some pressure off quarterback Andy Dalton, who looked limited when it counted most in the playoffs. The Bengals can get a safety later, as this is a deep draft at the position and the value isn't there at this spot.

22. Rams (Mr. Scratch) -- LB Manti Te'o (Notre Dame) -- Outside of Dunbar and Laurinaitis the Rams are woefully thin at LB. Safety is a significant need as well but the truth of the matter is that this a far deeper class at S than at LB, and a need the Rams can address later. An off-the-radar location like St. Louis would also be an ideal situation for Te'o.

23. Vikings (PatsFanTRichter) -- CB Desmond Trufant (Washington) – The Vikings seem like a prime candidate to trade up in this draft, possibly in order to secure one of the elite defensive line prospects. At this spot, however, with the top linebacking prospects off the board, they snag a potential replacement for Antoine Winfield in the athletic Trufant. His elite performance at the combine, coupled with his solid size and ability to mirror receivers in man coverage should make Trufant a valuable commodity in the pass-happy NFC North, where he'll be asked to match up with big receivers like Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall.

24. Colts (Clark12to81) -- DE/OLB Damontre Moore (Texas A&M ) -- A former OLB turned DE during his junior season, Moore would fit the mold for the ROLB position vacated by Freeney. Moore is not quite the pass rusher that Freeney was, but sets a much better edge in the run game. It would seem overkill to add WR Justin Hunter at this point, but the temptation is very hard to resist.

25. Vikings (Mike Reiss) -- DL Sylvester Williams (North Carolina) – They could go with a receiver at this spot, but based on the depth of the position in the draft and the likelihood to select a solid pass-catcher in the ensuing rounds, the Vikings go for the best value while thinking toward the future. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams enters the final year of his contract and the Vikings have some age up front. This is the pick that the Vikings received from the Seahawks in exchange for Percy Harvin. It’s a potential Williams for Williams swap, and if the Vikings get the same production out of Sylvester Williams that they did out of Kevin Williams since 2003, they’ll be thrilled.

26. Packers (Mr. Scratch) -- TE Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame) -- With the loss of Driver and Jermichael Finley's status in question and in the final year of his contract, the Packers add another weapon to Rodgers' arsenal. Eifert brings the value of a player more capable of also playing the true tight end position and a substantial upgrade over the Packers current options.

27. Texans (PatsFanTRichter) -- WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson)-- Year after year, various prognosticators have slotted a receiver to the Texans, only to be disappointed. Perhaps after public plea by Andre Johnson, Houston will finally capitulate. A savvy route runner with a feel for finding the hole in a zone, Hopkins is also a surprisingly good athlete, and after running in the 4.4 range at his pro day, the doubts about his long speed have been quieted as well. While he may not take the top off a defense the way a handful of other prospects in this draft might, he should be able to make defenses pay for focusing on Johnson.

28. Broncos (Clark12to81) -- S Matt Elam (Florida) -- The Broncos need a player that can break up a deep pass and prevent an upset when the game should be well in hand. Elam will provide solid coverage and the occasional blast over the middle to jar a ball free.

29. Patriots (Mike Reiss) -- WR Keenan Allen (California) -- This is an ideal scenario for the Patriots if they want to trade back (strong likelihood they do) and accumulate more picks, as they enter with just five. No quarterbacks have been selected and a team looking to move back in to the first round could have interest in jumping here. Receiver, cornerback and defensive line are the main areas of focus at this pick. Coverage linebacker and interior offensive line depth can wait. The eight names considered based on the way this unfolded were WR Keenan Allen, WR Justin Hunter, CB D.J. Hayden, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Jamar Taylor, DE/OLB Tank Carradine, DE/OLB Datone Jones and DL Jesse Williams. The pick is Allen, who was compared to Anquan Boldin by some. The Patriots have a big need at receiver, and while Allen doesn’t run fast for the stopwatch, he plays faster and runs good routes, always a must in New England. This would be the first time Bill Belichick selected a receiver in the first round of the draft since becoming Patriots coach in 2000.

30. Falcons (Mr. Scratch) -- CB D.J. Hayden (Houston) -- Hayden has burst onto the draft scene and some think he may be the best CB prospect in the draft now that his medical risk is somewhat diminished. Thomas Dimitroff has some river-boat gambler in him and a glaring need at CB. Hayden is the type of cover corner they typically seek, possesses the high upside athleticism that the Falcons look for and would be the type of risk/reward that they aren't often shy to take.

31. 49ers (PatsFanTRichter) -- S Jonathan Cyprien (Florida International) -- With the departure of Dashon Goldson to the Buccaneers and Donte Whitner's league-leading touchdowns allowed total last season, the 49ers have to address the safety position. With a glut of picks following the Alex Smith trade, they have the luxury to do so early on, and select the rangy and hard-hitting Cyprien. His ability to diagnose and tackle, coupled with his solid frame, make him a natural to replace Goldson's duties in the box. His speed, range and coverage ability are solid enough that he isn't strictly a strong safety, however, and he should bolster an already impressive San Francisco defense.

32. Ravens (Clark12to81) -- WR Justin Hunter (Tennessee) -- While temped to go with a safety after losing both Reed and Pollard, I instead look to replace Boldin's production at wide receiver. Adding a 6-foot-4 threat like Hunter is just too much to pass up at this point in the draft. It's a deep safety class, so I'd expect Baltimore to double dip in the middle rounds.

A quick note on what is ahead today for ESPNBoston.com's Patriots coverage.

1. Fourth-annual mock draft. Our fourth-annual mock draft kicks off at 11 a.m. ET. It includes me and three of our regular commenters -- "Mr. Scratch", "PatsFanTRichter", and "Clark12to81" -- and ties in to the mission statement we relayed when this blog (and website) was created in September of 2009: Football first, vibrant community, enhancing the experience for Patriots followers. The way it works is that each person is assigned a selection (draft order here) and they will make that selection in the comments section of a blog entry that will publish at 11 a.m. ET. The selections made in the comments section will be brought into the main blog area, so if you're following along, you can refresh the page often today (2012 mock draft as an example). Readers are invited to share their opinion in the comments section as the process unfolds. The possibility of a second-round mock draft on Tuesday is being discussed.

2. Nick Caserio news conference. Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio is scheduled to hold a pre-draft news conference at 12 p.m. ET. These can be informative from a general perspective on the draft (teams obviously aren't going to go into depth on specific prospects or who they might draft). I've listened to most of the news conferences that have taken place around the NFL to this point and have learned a lot. For example, Bears personnel chief Phil Emery on this draft: "There are strong positions in this draft; I would say those positions are corner, safety, there are a number of starters at those two positions, [and] the defensive line and the offensive line. I would say the tight ends and wide receivers are above average. I would say the running backs and quarterbacks are average.”

3. Videos to come. You'll also notice some videos that will be posted from the ESPNBoston.com Patriots SportsCenter special that took place on April 6 at Gillette Stadium. The event was for season ticket holders and included ESPN's Trey Wingo, Tedy Bruschi and Trevor Matich.