It's hard to nitpick a Super Bowl champion, but it's not like the New England Patriots are going to take a pass on the 2015 NFL draft. Bill Belichick will want to add talent and address the minor areas of need New England has. As such, he'll likely target a defensive lineman with the team's first round pick.
"New England helped soften the blow of [Vince] Wilfork's departure by re-signing defensive tackle Alan Branch and adding Jabaal Sheard from the Cleveland Browns in free agency," ESPN NFL Insider Kevin Weidl wrote. "Additionally, 2014 first-round pick Dominique Easley, who had an ACL tear in each knee coming out of Florida and was placed on IR in December with another knee injury, could provide help along the Pats' defensive front once he returns this spring.
"But the need to add depth to the interior defensive line is there, particularly at the nose tackle position."
So who should the Patriots target with the last pick in the first-round of the NFL draft? Weidl suggest Iowa defensive tackle Carl Davis.
"Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, who compares favorably to Michael Brockers on tape, would be an ideal fit here, but he likely won't be on the board at this point. Davis' stock has been on the rise after showing well in the predraft process both at the senior bowl and combine. He flashes heavy hands with above-average quickness and power for a 320-pound nose tackle. However, his tape is up and down at times, and he needs to learn to play with more consistent pad level."
New England lost both its starting cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner to free agency, so looking at the secondary is also a possibility.
