Positional Overview: When you’re coming off a year in which the Pats were among the worst in the league… excuse me, the National Football League… in Red Zone and 3rd Down Defense, it’s hard to imagine them making O-line a high priority. Especially when they got 3,700 yards out of Matt Cassel and 100 yard games out of Sammy Morris, Lamont Jordan and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. But they haven’t addressed this position in a few years, and depth is a problem. When Stephen Neal missed the start of the season, Billy Yates filled in and he was a turnstyle. Getting younger and faster on D is the top priority, but adding to the offensive line is definitely Plan B, both to prepare for the future and to keep Brady in one piece in the event there are major injuries on the line or if Nick Kaczur decides to break up another international Oxycontin cartel. Fortunately, there’s depth in the draft at Guard and Tackle is the best group in years.

Current Tackles: Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Ryan O’Callaghan, Wesley Britt, Mark LeVoir, Damane Duckett (note: who?)
Current Guards: Logan Mankins, Stephen Neal, Billy Yates, Dan Connolly
Current Centers: Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein, Al Johnson, Ryan Wendell

Most Likely to Be Off the Board by the Time the Pats Draft: Jason Smith, Baylor
Tuesday in his pre-draft presser, Belichick mentioned the possibility that the Pats could package picks to get as high as 10th overall, and Smith is the one O-lineman in the draft guaranteed to go before then. The consensus is St. Louis picking him at No. 2, though as is usually the case draft boards are being turned inside out as the draft approaches and some are saying they’re making goo goo eyes at USC QB Mark Sanchez. Interestingly enough though, Smith is no blue chipper. Baylor is one of those spread offense teams that the NFL scouts haven’t figured out how to evaluate yet. So the No. 2 pick in the draft could be a left tackle who never got into a 3-point stance in his college career.

The Most Unintentionally Funny Line Prospect in the Draft: Andre Smith, Alabama
Late in the season, Smith was lined up to be the most coveted Tackle and a likely Top 5 pick. Then he got woefully out of shape, left the Combine early, came back, and looked like something out of the season premiere of “Biggest Loser.” His massive manboobs were the size and shape of traffic cones and as he chose to run the 40 with no shirt on, his juggs flopped around like nipple tassels and almost caused a grease fire that endangered not only his draft position, but the lives of every scout in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Biggest Celebrity Other Than Andre Smith’s Boobs: Michael Oher, Mississippi
Oher is the subject of Michael Lewis’ book “The Blind Side: The Evolution of a Game” and it did for him what Lewis’ “Moneyball” did for Kevin Youkilis. The book traces Oher’s childhood through his father’s murder, his mother’s crack addiction and how he lived in foster homes and went to 11 different schools between 1st grade and 9th, until one couple steered him into football as the prototype Left Tackle. “Blind Side” has also been made into a movie.

Another Guy Who Along With Oher Will Be Part of the 1st Round Run on LT’s: Eugene Monroe, Virginia
Both Oher and Monroe have the perfect size for the position 6-5, 309, with long arms, and excellent footwork. Though the knock on both is that they have to improve on their initial punch, they both show good pass protection and will go to teams looking for the next Jake Long or Joe Thomas, most likely Seattle (since Walter Jones health is a question) and Cincy.

Most Likely Colossal Bust: Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
Loadholt is massive: 6-8, 343. He’s strong and quick, runs a 5.36 and is everything a coach could hope for. With one small wrinkle: He doesn’t block anyone. He lacks aggressiveness, gets dishragged into his QB, and was exposed at the Senior Bowl. Someone though will find it hard to resist his athleticism and will get tempted to take a 3rd round flyer on him and will regret it.

Best Guard: Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
6-4, 329. He’s stronger in the running game with a good first move, was responsible for more pancakes than IHOP and is quick enough to get to the 2nd level to deliver hits. His pass blocking is a project though and no one expects him to go before Round 2.

Most Intriguing Value Pick at Guard: Herman Johnson, LSU
Johnson is gargantuan, 6-7 ½, 382, which is actually 20lbs less than when he first came to Baton Rouge. He can drive block, but he moves like he’s got ice climber crampons on his feet. His stock plummeted after the Senior Bowl and teams started getting a look at his game film. He’s at best a 5th Rounder, but someone will be seduced by his size and take him sooner.

Most Likely to Be a Patriot: Bobby Lepori, Fresno St
The Patriots have a type on the line, and they prefer mid-sized sporty models over big gas-guzzling SUVs. Among their lineman, only O’Callaghan and Connolly are over 320. Dante Scarnecchia’s zone blocking assignments put a premium on technique, leverage and agility over pure size. Lepori is 6-4, but he’s only 289 and will need to bulk up some as he develops. He’s also smart, tough, and has good fundamentals. He’s a middle round projection so the Pats can wait, draft him cheap, and give him time to add bulk. And there’s pedigree involved, as he played for Pat Hill, who gave them Logan Mankins.