By Michael Blunda
April 26, 2008

Jerod Mayo

Coming off an 18-1 season in which they fell one game short of perfection, the Patriots hope their top-10 draft choice (acquired from the 49ers in a Draft Day trade last year) will help them finish the job this year. 

Not one to love early picks, New England managed to trade down again this year, swapping selections with the Saints to move from No. 7 to No. 10. With that pick the Patriots grabbed Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo. New England also picked up the Saints' third-round pick (No. 78 overall) and shipped the Saints their fifth-round pick (No. 164).

Mayo, who had a whopping 140 tackles as a junior in 2007, adds youth to a linebacking corps that really could use some. Although a talented group, starters Tedy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel are all north of 30 years old, so plugging in the rookie Mayo to that unit gives them some instant athleticism.

While some might call this pick a reach, Bill Belichick, who has a track record of avoiding LBs with high draft choices, liked Mayo’s versatility and saw him as a smart player. The Pats will try him at a number of different positions and find out where he fits best in their system. He likely will be a reserve to begin 2008 but should quickly make a contribution on special teams.

This is a solid pick that helps bolster an old unit, but it doesn’t address New England’s biggest position of need, cornerback. Although the Patriots brought in free agents Fernando Bryant and Lewis Sanders in the offseason, that tandem doesn’t quite make up for the losses of Asante Samuel and Randall Gay. The Patriots had to forfeit the No. 31 overall pick as a result of "Spygate," but they have a late second-rounder and a few selections in the third round in which to target a corner.

With Belichick and Scott Pioli in the same war room, don’t be surprised to see some more wheeling and dealing from New England this weekend.