Fortifying The Pass Rush Should Be Central To New England’s Draft Strategy

February 16, 2011   ·   Corey Nachman   ·   Jump to comments

What I've been hearing through the various grapevines that miraculously adorn my New Hampshire home is that the Patriots have a few very clear needs to address in the 2011 draft. In the last column I wrote, I stressed the offensive line, the defensive line and the running back position. 
After publishing that column, I thought long and hard about what the Patriots really, really need. Those are three distinct parts of the football team; which one part provides the most pressing need? 
First, we can eliminate the need to draft a high profile running back, simply because the Patriots have had more success finding running backs in the unemployment line than the Draft Combine. 
Prior to Lawfirm's 1000 yard season, the Patriots hadn't had a rusher reach four figures since Corey Dillon in 2004. Dillon was released by the Bengals the offseason prior. Before that, it was Antowain Smith in 2001. He was released by Buffalo in 2000. The Patriots have had three 1...

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