NFL Draft 2011: The Last Four Picks for the New England Patriots

The Patriots picked a stout group on Day 1 and 2. They fixed their offensive line with Nate Solder to replace Matt Light and added a second shutdown corner in Ras-I Dowling to make Devin McCourty even more effective. They picked up a potential stud running back in Shane Vereen and another running back for the offense and a prospective long-term special teamer in Stevan Ridley.

The Patriots got the steal of the draft in Ryan Mallett, who could be an instant help in taking training camp, practice and preseason pressure off Tom Brady. If things go well, Mallett could give Brady some in-season help in spelling him for awhile and doing mop-up duty in games with substantial leads. All to keep Brady fresh for the playoffs.

In the long term, Mallett may just be the man. A kind of latter-day Matt Cassel, who certainly had that talent though a bit too early in Brady's career.

On Day 3 we might call them the Final Four: the projects. Each candidate has identifiable vulnerabilities that the Patriots clearly believe they have a good chance of overcoming.

Marcus Cannon, at No. 138 overall, is a potential stud offensive lineman with the weakness of overeating. This is exactly the kind of problem a pro team is an ideal venue to fix. This is particularly true because Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork had some of these issues and dealt with them well. So this seems to be a pretty fixable problem.

Cannon can probably eat the same amount of food if he eats better food. My company's 95 Habits of Healthy People audio book addresses this point: you invest in calories just like in stocks — just make better picks. This seems the easiest fix for one of the final four. And, of course, Cannon was drafted first in this group at No. 138.

New England's next pick was at No. 159 overall in Lee Smith, the best blocking tight end in the draft according to scouting reports. His weakness related to being slow off the snap count, though not totally slow. If he turns out to be the best blocking tight end, the Patriots should be fine with him in their two- and three-tight end sets.

Markell Carter, taken at 194th overall, played at a second-tier school, Central Arkansas, and did not have top-flight competition to learn with or be tested by. The jury is out about whether he can make the big step up to an NFL starting-caliber outside linebacker the Patriots need. But the odds aren't bad, according to the experts. The Patriots clearly feel that way.

Malcolm Williams rounds out the Patriots draft at No. 219, a capable potential cornerback to be added to the defensive backfield mix. He comes from TCU, as does Marcus Cannon, so this may help both of them adjust.

All four have potential. It is a `we'll see' group. Each one seems only one or two things away from being a medium- to long-term NFL player. A stout group for the back nine of this draft, or the Final Four as they may be called.