ROUND 1: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Jones is exactly what Patriots fans have been asking for over the past three years: a pass rusher. Thanks to mixed-martial arts training with his brother Jon, a UFC champion, Jones’ hands are fast and he plays physical. New England has had its share of troubles getting to quarterbacks, which makes an average secondary look worse because it is asked to cover for so long. If Jones can come in quickly, he can help remedy those problems.

If he can pick up the defense, Jones will play right away, at least in certain situations. He could fill the “elephant” role, an end/linebacker hybrid spot the Patriots once used Willie McGinest in and Andre Carter was used in at times last season on passing downs. Jones could stand to gain a couple of pounds in the weight room, but Bill Belichick said even now Jones is solidly built at 6-5, 266 pounds.

Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The question for Hightower might be how won’t he fit? He played middle and outside linebacker and some defensive end in sub packages for ‘Bama, and was the signal-caller for arguably the best defense in college football last fall. New England has locked Jerod Mayo up for the future and Brandon Spikes is strong against the run, but there are question marks at the position otherwise. Belichick has used a variety of personnel groupings in recent years, and Hightower could play a role in nearly all of them.

Hightower will likely have a lot thrown at him early on, but he played for Belichick buddy Nick Saban, so many of the concepts he’ll see with the Pats may look familiar, easing his transition. He could challenge veteran Rob Ninkovich for playing time early, or he could free up Mayo to be used in different ways. If he is as versatile in the NFL as he was in college, he could play early and see his role expand quickly.

ROUND 2: Tavon Wilson, S, Ilinois

How he fits: Wilson has one thing the Patriots covet—versatility. With the Illini, he played cornerback and safety, moving between the two positions due to injuries to teammates and team needs. It is believed that New England will make Devin McCourty’s move from corner to safety more permanent, but even if that doesn’t happen, the Pats need depth in the secondary, which Wilson can offer.

When he’ll play: At this point, it’s tough to tell. His selection was met with a number of “who?” responses, and there isn’t much known about him. Several scouts around the league, when asked, had little to no information on him. But if he shows early that he can be effective, New England will use him — it plays a lot of sub and nickel packages and injuries down the stretch last season left them with precious little talent.

Round 3: Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas

Bequette, a productive player for Arkansas (23.5 sacks, 32.5 TFL in 48 games), will join the competition for time. He’s also shown a nose for the ball, with five forced fumbles in his senior year. A third-generation Razorback, Bequette’s 3-cone time of 6.9 seconds, third best among D-ends at the Combine, is one reason he appealed to the Pats — they often go for players who excel at that agility drill.

After a few years of trying — largely unsuccessfully — to manufacture pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Bill Belichick went all-in this year, drafting three players who can get to the quarterback, and also signing a couple more in free agency. New England switched its defensive personnel often last year, and played a high percentage of nickel. So many players coming in and out naturally creates opportunities for Bequette and the other Pats who can rush the passer.

ROUND 6: NATE EBNER, DB, Ohio State

Ebner’s story makes him perfect for New England — he didn’t play a down of high school football and walked on at Ohio State after years as a standout rugby player. He will be mostly a special-teams player; as a senior, he played a very limited role in the Buckeyes’ secondary. But Ebner is another high-motor, high-character (his father was killed in a robbery attempt in 2008) guy to add to the roster.

ROUND 7: ALFONZO DENNARD, CB, Nebraska

Dennard could be one of the more talented seventh-round picks in recent years — and he has only himself to blame for being taken so late. Regarded as a third- to fourth-round pick at worst, the 2011 Big Ten defensive back of the year is an experienced, physical corner. But he was arrested for punching a police officer outside a Lincoln, Neb. bar just days before the draft, which led to him plummeting. Assuming he can corral his aggression (he was also booted from the Capital One Bowl for punching Alshon Jeffery), he can help the Pats.

ROUND 7: JEREMY EBERT, WR, Northwestern

By drafting Ebert, the Patriots now have four players who can play slot receiver. The 6-footer will join Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and newly-signed Anthony Gonzalez at the position. A high school quarterback, Ebert was productive at Northwestern, with 75 catches for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. His job now will be to work to click with Tom Brady, something almost every receiver the Pats have drafted in recent years has failed to do.

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Perhaps the one time Packer RB Ryan Grant could be taking his talents to a den close by. As in den, we mean Lions den. At the moment, Ryan Grant could be interested in signing with the Lions. So far, Grant has visited with the Patriots and has received a offer for his services in Foxboro as well.

The Skinny: I’m assuming Grant is going to take the best offer and the most guaranteed money on the table. But he’ll have to prove to either organization that he has enough left in the tank to secure a roster spot. Right now teams see him as a veteran option at the RB position, who can provide teams with an insurance option. With the Jahvid Best concussion concerns and the Patriots RB by committee he could be utilized by both organizations.

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Patriots signed WR Jabar Gaffney to a two-year deal.

The Patriots have brought in variety of guys at the WR psotion and now with Gaffney in the mix it gets a lot crazier. The Pats already have Julian Edelman, Deion Branch, Anthony Gonzalez, and Donte’ Stallworth behind starters Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd.

The Skinny: At age 31 Gaffney still has game left in his tank. He played well for the Redskins and he was their leading receiver in 2011. Gaffney already knows the system and he is familiar with what they do in New England. He gets to reunite with Josh McDaniels, which probably leaves Chad Ochocinco on the outs.

By Gayle Saunders
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League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.

Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.

One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.

Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!

LAST UPDATED 4/20/12

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New England Patriots

David Wilson – RB from Virginia Tech
Isaiah Pead -RB from Cincinnati
Chris Rainey -WR from Florida
Darius Reynolds – WR from Iowa State
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Derek Carrier – WR from Beloit
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Eric Lair -TE from University of Minnesota
Derek Wolfe -DT from Cincinnati
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Claude Davis – DE from South Florida
Nick Perry – DE from USC
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Zach Brown – LB from North Carolina
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virgina
Ryan Davis – LB from Bethune-Cookman
Noah Keller – LB from Ohio
Ronnell Lewis – LB from Oklahoma
Travis Lewis – LB from Oklahoma
Micah Pellerin -CB from Hampton
Casey Hayward -CB from Vanderbilt
Josh Bellamy -CB from Louisville
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
Ron Brooks CB from LSU
Jordan Bernstine – S from Iowa
Brandon Taylor – S from LSU
Tony Dye -S from UCLA

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Gayle Saunders
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Patriots long time left tackle Matt Light has decided to hang up his cleats

The three-time Pro Bowler Light started 153 career games and was voted a first-team All Pro in 2007 and earned three Pro Bowl trips. Light has been the Patriots’ starting left tackle for the past 11 seasons.

The Skinny: The Pats have conducted business this offseason as if Light won’t be back as they have expected this announcement. His replacement on blind side is expected to be 2011 first-round pick Nate Solder.

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Jason LaCanfora is reporting that New England’s trusty slot man, Wes Welker will probably show up and play this season on the franchise tag in 2012.

At the moment The Patriots and Welker’s camp have made zero progress in terms of a long term deal, which will result in Welker not attending OTAs or for the remainder of the offseason.

The Skinny: Given Welker’s loyalty to the Patriots and his demeanor I can’t see making noise in the media with a lengthy hold out through training camp. With $9.5 million on the table, the all world slot receiver will probably take the paycheck, and play out the season.

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According to the Miami Herald, Drew Rosenhaus said there are 3 teams interested in Bells services. New York Jets, New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

After the Miami Dolphins released Yeremiah Bell, there was rumors that they could re-sign the veteran for another go around, however with Dolphins bringing in Tyrell Johnson, Drew Rosenhaus has announced on his weekly TV gig that there will be no reunion between Bell and the Dolphins.

The Skinny: Yeremiah Bell is solid player, but with his salary the Dolphins had to let him go. Even though he’s lost a step, he can still provide help for CBs. He is smart on the field and a great tackler. It’s not yet known which of the above mentioned teams are serious players for Bell. I could see the Eagles making a play for his services. The Eagles didn’t like Laron Landry’s price tag, but bringing in a reasonably priced veteran like Bell could also help with the maturation of Nate Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett.

According to the Boston Globe, the feeling in New England about a potential reunion with free agent Randy Moss is that his Patriots’ “ship has sailed.”

New England has been Moss’ most frequently mentioned potential landing spot, but the Patriots have remained predictably silent on the matter. Although one of the Pats’ top offseason priorities figures to be finding a vertical receiver, they may prefer a more permanent solution than the player Bill Belichick traded away at least in part due to frustration in 2010. The Jets and Bears seem like more likely suitors at this point.

By Gayle Saunders
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Buccaneers have released DT Albert Haynesworth. That makes it his third team in a year that he’s been let go from. At $7.2 million there was no way he would return at that price.

With new coach Greg Schiano in the mix, its most likley he wasn’t interested in Haynesworth moving forward with the Bucs. Haynesworth failed to make his presence known in the seven games he played with Tampa.

It will be interesting to see if the Eagles will take a look with his buddy Jim Washburn still coaching in Philly. Haynesworths greatest days of football were under Coach Washburn, but at age 31 how much does he have in the tank is the question. The positive for the next team is you can now take a risk for a discounted rate.