Here’s a look at the perceived draft needs of the New England Patriots, with heavy input from Matt Miller and David Gardner of NewEraScouting.com.     

Cornerback:  The loss of Asante Samuel puts a strain on the entire Patriots’ defense.  Samuel had become one of the best corners in the league at creating turnovers.  With Samuel gone, the Pats will rely on Ellis Hobbs, Jason Webster, Fernando Bryant, and possibly Brandon Meriweather, if he isn’t shifted to safety. Hobbs is a solid starter, but he’s not an elite shut-down player whom a team can trust on an island.  Meriweather has some play-making skills, but he would be learning the cornerback position on the fly.

With the seventh overall selection in the first round, New England can target the best corners in the draft.  Troy’s Leodis McKelvin would be a great fit, and he’s also a very dangerous return man.  Should McKelvin not make it to the Patriots, they will have their pick of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a very athletic cover man, and Mike Jenkins, a solid man-to-man cover corner.

Safety:  Rodney Harrison is a sure bet to miss a few games each season, either via injury or suspension.  He is also nearing the end of a brilliant career.  Should Meriweather move to corner permanently, this becomes an immediate need for the Patriots.  Tank Williams was brought in as a free agent, but he isn’t expected to shore up any weaknesses in the starting secondary.  James Sanders is a potential starter, but we’ve yet to see consistency from him in coverage.

With their second-round pick, some of the best safeties in the class will likely still be on the board.  There’s a great chance that junior DaJuan Moran (NC State) will be available.  Morgan is a true free safety who could fill the void left when Eugene Wilson was allowed to leave in free agency.  There’s also word that the staff likes Notre Dame’s Tom Zbikowski, a hard-nosed, in-the-box-type of strong safety.

Outside linebacker:  Rosevelt Colvin is gone, leaving the team the aging veteran Mike Vrabel and the unproven Pierre Woods (and Junior Seau, if he returns for another year).  Should Woods prove that he can be a starter on the outside, the Patriots will still need to rely on the draft in order to eventually replace Vrabel.  There’s also a possibility that Adalius Thomas can move back to the outside after playing primarily in the middle last season.

Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston could be the answer with the seventh overall pick, if Gholston is still on the board.  Other players who could fit the Patriots defense at the outside linebacker position are Derrick Harvey (Florida), Quentin Groves (Auburn) and Shawn Crable (Michigan).

Insider linebacker:  Just as they look for ends to move to outside ‘backer, New England likes to move college outside linebackers inside.  Look for New England to add at least two players here.  We’ve seen reports of the team liking Xavier Adibi (Virginia Tech), Beau Bell (Nevada), and Phillip Wheeler (Georgia Tech).  All are possible second-round picks.

Guard:  The Patriots’ playoff run was hurt by injuries on the offensive line and a lack of consistency in the backup positions.  Adding talented guards who can possibly slide to tackle in a pinch fits the New England philosophy of maximizing a player’s value.  Jordan Grimes of Purdue and Andrew Crummey of Maryland are examples of players at whom New England might take a look at in rounds three through five.

Defensive line:  In their 3-4 attachment, New England has come to depend heavily on their three first-round picks along the defensive line.  Adding depth would be a good idea; behind the trio of Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren; New England is quite thin on the line.  Jarvis Green hasn’t been the pass rusher most hoped, and Mike Wright is a role player only.  Le Kevin Smith has potential, but he’s very young and very raw.

Eric Foster (Rutgers) is an ideal player for the 3-4, with his ability to play end and possibly tackle.  We also like Derek Lokey (Texas) as a late-round prospect.

Running back:  Laurence Maroney has very little experience being the number one back in an offense, and he’s also susceptible to injury.  Kevin Faulk has been a key figure in the Patriots dynasty, but his career is nearing its end.  Given the depth of the position this time around, adding a capable runner in the middle rounds of the draft will help to take pressure off Maroney and stress off the offense.  We like Tulane’s Matt Forte and Ray Rice of Rutgers as possibilities for the Pats

Tight end:  Ben Watons is recovering from an ankle injury and Kyle Brady got dumped.  They need help at the position, especially if Watson’s ankle doesn’t cooperate.