The Patriots are always in the playoffs so they are always overcoming various draft needs year after year.  They always seem to find a player that was previously counted out by another team or the so called experts.  And them make them into a star like Wes Welker and Tom Brady.  In this league where free agency plays such a key part in player movement its extremely hard to keep finding pieces that fit in your system.  In fact keeping the core part of the team together like they’ve done the last couple years is almost impossible.  But this season there are a couple needs that can make it hard for them to make the playoffs if not addressed.  

The first immediate need is a tight end to replace Aaron Hernandez and to fill in for Rob Gronkowski as he’s been injury prone  the last couple seasons.  The tight end spot has been a key part to their offensive scheme especially when they were running a lot of double tight end sets.  The draft’s top tight end is Eric Ebron out of UNC and he’d be dangerous in an offense with Brady.  But he’ll be a top 10 pick gone way before the Patriots pick, they’ll have a better chance going for Jace Amaro the second best tight end in the draft.  He’s slotted to go late first or early second but with him being the second best at the position he can go earlier than that with Ebron so high on draft boards.  But knowing the Patriots they plan to take a guy in the later rounds like always, too bad because I would love to see Ebron in this offense.

They should also look into picking up a pass rusher to help force turnovers and limit the time passers have in the pocket.  They’ve already gone out and signed two of the top cornerbacks in the NFL in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner who can force plenty of turnovers.   They also brought back Patrick Chung to who’s a pretty good safety who can also force plenty of turnovers.  If they can add a pass rusher to force dumb rushed decisions by opposing passers which will force not only interceptions but fumbles as well.  There are a couple pass rushers in the draft the only question would be whether they go for a defensive end or a outside backer.  

Finally the team should look into drafting another powerback to replace LeGarrette Blount.  One of the best options in the draft would be Carlos Hyde out of Ohio State.  Hyde is a six foot 230 pound running back that had an outstanding career at Ohio state.  The only issue is that he’s projected to go in the second round and I don’t see the Patriots drafting a running back that high.  Maybe if Andre Williams falls a round I can see the Patriots using a fourth round pick on the senior from Boston College.  Not to mention how much the fans would love bringing in the star from right down the street.