NFL Draft 2011: Prince Amukamara Set for Workout With New England Patriots

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are hot on the scouting trail as they work out several prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Most of the names are rather unknown at first, but occasionally we're treated to the idea of a potential first-round prospect the team may have their eye on.

This is one of those occasions.

Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara is considered the second-best cornerback in the draft. Yeah, so much for my theory that the Patriots are looking for depth at cornerback, right? A 6'0", 206-pound stud whose top-end speed is matched with top-notch instincts, the Patriots may be looking for top-shelf talent.

As always with the news of these private workouts, we can't read too much into this.

As always, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of the legitimacy of interest on behalf of the Patriots. Those reasons, mind you, would have nothing to do with need. We all know Belichick puts need second to value when it comes to the draft.

We all know that the Patriots put more stock in what goes on behind closed doors in interviews and film sessions than in anything a sports writer would have access to.

In terms of his fit for the Patriots though, Amukamara looked the part all through college. He was a ball-hawking cornerback for the most part, despite not logging a single interception in 2010 (he had five in '09).

He can play man and zone coverage, although man/press coverage is his strong suit. He is a stingy run defender too, helping to cut off the lanes and wrapping up with good form. That kind of commitment to team success will make him a favorite with Belichick.

Not only was he named a First Team All-American, he was also named to the 2010 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team. It's clear from his Huskers.com profile that Amukamara has a star-spangled menu of achievements worth noting.

Those are the characteristics a team loves to see in their first-round picks.

What are the chances though, that Amukamara will be available come pick 17? He's valued as a top-10 player in the draft by most. The Patriots would have to trade up to get him and that's simply not something I see them doing.

But who knows? Maybe Amukamara does fall to the Patriots at 17. Crazier things have happened in the NFL draft.

If he falls to 17, should the Patriots pull the trigger?

The answer to that depends on who remains on the board when that 17th pick rolls around. I always remember what Bill Parcells said about building a great defense. You start from the front and work your way back.

If one of the uber-talented five-technique defensive linemen is still available, it would be hard to pass on them for another first-round cornerback.

While Amukamara may give the Patriots good value in that he projects as an every down starter in the NFL, they can get similar or better value at defensive end with that 17th pick.

With both Devin McCourty and Leigh Bodden lined up at cornerback, there doesn't seem to be as much value in selecting a cornerback.