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NFL Mock Draft 2013: Patriots could target cornerback in 1st round

The New England Patriots could be after a cornerback with their first-round pick, as they have extensive needs in the secondary.

By James Brady
USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have been contenders for the past decade, and as long as Tom Brady is at the helm and Bill Bellichick is still the head coach, they'll likely remain that way. Still, the team has to be on their game year-in and year-out when it comes to their drafting, since they're almost always picking near the back-end of the first round.

More: Visit Pats Pulpit for more on the Patriots

That's no different this year, as the Patriots hold the No. 29 pick thanks to their appearance in the AFC Championship game, which they lost to the Baltimore Ravens, as the secondary was beaten soundly by the Baltimore passing game. In fact, the Patriots have been looking for help in the secondary for some time now.

Matthew Fairburn of SB Nation released his latest mock draft on Monday and he has them addressing the need in the first round, with the selection of Blidi Wreh-Wilson, the cornerback out of Connecticut.

Here's a new name to keep an eye on. Blidi Wreh-Wilson is quickly becoming one of my favorite cornerbacks in this class the more I watch him. I think the end of the first round could be the start of a run on cornerbacks, and with New England spending plenty of time at Wreh-Wilson's pro day, he could sneak into the back half of the first round.

The Patriots definitely need to draft a cornerback at some point within the first couple rounds, and Wreh-Wilson seems to make sense. He would be able to come in and start right away, which is what the Patriots need at this point.

As it was a three-round mock draft, it's worth noting that the Patriots ended up taking West Virginia wide recever Stedman Bailey with the No. 59 overall pick (second round), and Utah State cornerback Will Davis at No. 89 (third round).

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