One area the Patriots targeted for improvement in 2009 was the size and physicality of their cornerbacks. Signing Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden in free agency helped them upgrade in that area.

As part of a weekly check-in leading up to the draft, New England native Steve Muench of ESPN’s Scouts Inc. highlights one post-first-round prospect that fits a similar profile that might interest the Patriots –- Virginia’s Chris Cook (6-2, 210):

“He probably won’t run a great 40, but he reminds us a little bit of Sean Smith, the second-round pick out of Utah last year for the Dolphins. Smith ran a 4.51 at the combine, which isn’t great but not bad. Cook could be similar. When you have a taller corner, it’s usually harder for them to make crisp cuts and open their hips because they are built a little differently, so it’s harder to sink, get low, and bend your knees when you’re taller. Cook has looked really good at it, though, low in his backpedal and opening his hips well."

With this in mind, Cook looks like a player who is improving his draft stock. Two other cornerbacks, Kyle Wilson of Boise State and Devin McCourty of Rutgers, also would be players to keep on the radar from a Patriots perspective.

“After interviewing them, they popped out as high-character, good kids,” Muench said.