Those are the picks with which the Patriots will start the day; where they'll end up is anyone's guess.
Belichick said in his predraft press conference that he felt the Patriots had the potential to move into the top 10, and league sources confirmed a report by Peter King on SI.com yesterday that New England offered its first-round pick and one of its second-rounders (No. 47) to the Jaguars for the eighth overall pick.
The Jaguars rebuffed Belichick, saying it would take more than that for the Patriots to pick in the top 10 for the second straight year (linebacker Jerod Mayo was the 10th pick last year). But if Belichick wants to move up in the first round - something he hasn't done since 2003, when he jumped one spot to draft Ty Warren with the 13th pick - he has the ammunition to get a deal done.
"I don't think I have ever been in a draft where we've had the potential flexibility that we have this year," said Belichick Tuesday.
The question is, whom would the Patriots select in the top 10? Possible targets are left tackle Andre Smith of Alabama and cornerback/safety Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State, both of whom made visits to Gillette Stadium.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 332-pound Smith was a projected top-five pick at the end of last season, but teams have concerns about his maturity and focus. Smith was suspended from Alabama's Sugar Bowl loss for improper contact with an agent, and his stock dropped after he abruptly left the NFL Combine in February without working out, claiming he had started training too late and wasn't properly prepared. He also recently switched agents.
Belichick could get a thorough briefing on Smith from Alabama coach Nick Saban, one of his closest confidants in the coaching community. Smith would provide an immediate upgrade at right tackle and could be the replacement for Matt Light (whose contract expires after 2010) at left tackle.
