New England's Secret Weapon for 2008

By Nick Meyer
Associated Content

In today's era of NFL free agency, dominant teams usually don't last more than a couple of years. There have been numerous overnight success stories with teams like the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints in recent years, and the constant turnover in personnel makes it hard for championship teams to stay strong.

The Patriots have been one of the exceptions, however, but the fallout from "Spy Gate" took away their first-round pick this season, which would be a crippling blow to many teams moving forward. Not the Patriots, however, as they have a secret weapon for the 2008 season that should allow them to continue their domination for the foreseeable future if they use it properly.

I'm talking about the San Francisco 49ers' 2008 first-round draft pick, of course. The Niners are currently tied for the 4th-worst record in the NFL, but they owe their 2008 selection to New England after a 2007 draft-day trade in which they gave up their pick to move up and take left tackle Joe Staley from Central Michigan. Staley has worked out quite well this season for the 49ers, but that's not the point. While the deal might work out well for both teams in the end, the main point is that the Patriots have a chance to turn this pick into yet another All-Pro caliber player for an already stacked roster.

If the 49ers' pick ends up in the top five, the Patriots would have many options for players that would fit their needs. Nick Kaczur has been a little shaky at right tackle, and Michigan's Jake Long is big and strong enough to play right tackle extremely well while still providing great pass protection. He would be the ideal pick.

Miami (FL) defensive end Calais Campbell would be another possibility and would further add to the strength of the team, the defensive line. He's big and fast enough to play defensive end in either the 4-3 or the 3-4, the latter of which the Patriots run.

The linebacking corps is getting old for the Patriots as well, so players like Ohio State's James Lauranitis and USC's Keith Rivers would be good options using the 49ers' pick as well.

Finally, cornerback and safety are both considerations and Miami's Kenny Phillips or Ohio State's Malcom Jenkins would also be good additions.

Regardless of who the Patriots pick, their track record suggests it will be someone good. And with the Niners' pick in tow, that player should be yet another strong addition to an already great team in 2008.