Patriotic Duty: 5 Needs New England Must Address In The 2011 NFL Draft

With five of the first 74 picks in this year's draft, the New England Patriots have a unique opportunity to make their elite team even better next fall. Enormous credit is due to the Pats front office and Bill Belichick for their remarkable ability to turn players that couldn't fit into their scheme into draft pick gold.

As good as the Patriots have been this year, no NFL team is without holes to fill or depth issues to address. As New England prepares to meet the Jets in the divisional round, it's never too early to look ahead to the April draft.

With that said, here are five key areas Belichick and scouting department will have to focus on, and the impact players who may be called upon to make the team better.

1. Edge Pass Rusher

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Thaddeus Lewis #9 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

No matter what some statistics and naysayers will tell you, the Patriots have a much better defense than most give them credit for. They led the universe in turnover margin (+27) and were very stingy down the stretch, ending the year ranked eighth in total points allowed.

But the fact remains that quarterbacks moved the ball with surprising ease on New England, even when they didn't score. The Pats' 30th ranked pass defense was atrocious on third downs, giving up a new set of downs about 47 percent of the time (dead last in the NFL). And the Pats were just middle of the pack when it came to sacks and tackles for loss.

A strong presence on the edge of the D-Line hurries the quarterback into off-footed throws, and goes a long way to containing running QBs in modern offensive schemes. The Patriots should look for a mobile defensive end or outside linebacker in the first two rounds.

Da'Quan Bowers will not fall to New England's grasp with the 17th pick, but they have an outside shot at Robert Quinn from North Carolina, who has an explosive first step and led his team with 11 sacks. Barring Quinn, the Pats should focus their efforts on Von Miller of Texas A&M, the top-ranked OLB in the draft and Butkus Award winner.

2. Deep Threat Wide Receiver

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Ge

As electric as the Patriots' passing attack was down the stretch, I'm sure I sound crazy chewing up a first round pick on a wide out. But 2011 Draft has one of the deepest WR classes in recent years, and it would be foolish not to take a flyer on an elite receiver if one is available.

In spite of the massive improvements to the team post-Randy Moss, the reality is that there isn't a reliable home run hitter among the receivers they currently have. Brandon Tate has break-away speed, but has not shown the crisp running and jump-ball abilities necessary to draw consistent double teams, and the quick Taylor Price is a bit undersized for the role, and last on the Pats' depth chart.

The beauty of an elite vertical receiver is how much more effective the underneath routes and check-downs become when they get all the attention in the secondary.

If the Pats make a defensive pick first, it's unlikely A.J. Green and Julio Jones will still be available once the 32nd slot rolls around. An intriguing option is Jonathan Baldwin out of Pitt. He brings excellent size (6' 4") and plus speed with his large frame. He has exceptional hands, with the beef (224 lbs.) to throw blocks down the field.

3. Pass Protection For Tom Brady

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

With injuries to Dan Connolly and the uncertain status of Logan Mankins next year, the Pats have question marks looming over their O-line in the near future. New England is a unique position to have back-to-back picks closing the first round and opening the second, which nearly guarantees the Pats are able to get an impact player they wanted from the get-go.

There are quite a few versatile, talented guards and tackles in this year's draft class. I'm going out on a limb and saying that teams tend to over-draft offensive skill positions and defensive beasts in the first few rounds, so I think elite O-line players can drop low in the first round, or second round altogether.

After Colorado's Nate Solder, the best available lineman will be Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi. He has the ideal build (6'6", 327 lbs.) and footwork to handle tough assignments, and reportedly brings a tremendous work ethic. Academic All-American.

4. Downhill Power Runner

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Olaitan Oguntodu #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

The Patriots boast a well-rounded running game this year, featuring the skills of starter Benjarvus Green-Ellis. They also rotated in the elusive Danny Woodhead, who filled the role left by the injured Kevin Faulk nicely. But neither has the north-south, arm-breaking running strength to move a stacked pile.

Since the departure of Heath Evans and the days of Antowain Smith, the Patriots have not had a big-bodied back that they hand off to with any regularity. I hesitate to call it a need, but right now there's no one high on New England's depth chart who can consistently gain yardage between the tackles, drag defenders, and fight for the tough short yards.

This year's RB class is a bit thin. After Mark Ingram, there aren't many big names you'll hear called in for duty in the NFL backfield. One slightly under-the-radar player is Kansas State's Daniel Thomas. At 6'2" 228 lbs., Thomas has the motor to run through arm tackles and drag smaller defensive backs for extra yardage. His height adds some value as a receiver out of the backfield, and he has experience as a thrower and a runner in the Wildcat offense, giving him the versatility Bill Belichick loves.

It's optimistic to expect Thomas to be available late in the second round. A realistic catch may be Illinois' Mikel Leshoure. His wrecking ball dimensions (6'0" 230 lbs.) chewed up Big Ten defenses the past two years, posting YPC over 6.0 in 2009 and 2010. He ceiling isn't as high as Thomas', and he has less experience as a receiver, but he would add a downhill element the Patriots currently lack.

5. Shutdown Cornerback

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns drops a pass intended for Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Ima

I have to reiterate the first slide about how much better the Patriots' defense is than people credit them for. It's an extremely young, fast group. To be sure, at several points during the season they showed their inexperience when coverages broke down. But the turnover margin and points allowed speak for themselves.

It should be said that there was a huge disparity between the starting corners this year. First year rock star Devin McCourty was significantly more effective keeping pace with top opposing receivers than his peers Kyle Arrington and Darius Butler. Their combined passes deflected and interceptions were dwarfed by McCourty, and they were routinely picked on by opponent QBs.

It's highly unlikely that an impact corner will be available midway through the third round, and certainly not one capable of unseating Arrington right away. But the fifth-ranked CB in the draft, Texas' Aaron Williams, brings a toolbox of solid skills and a tremendous knack for blocking punts on special teams. He has more height (6'1") than you normally see in a corner, which will marginalize tall receivers' advantage over him.

If nothing else, Williams adds depth to the team and incentivizes improvement in our starters.