In the latest SB Nation NFL mock draft, Ryan Van Bibber has the New England Patriots selecting strong safety Mark Barron and outside linebacker Nick Perry with their two first round picks.
Barron would be a great fit in respect to both need and value. Many expect Barron to be taken by the Jets, but if he slides by them and reached New England he would probably be taken.
The other thing that needs to be considered is how incredibly bad the draft is this year for safeties. If Barron was there and the Patriots didn't snatch him up, they're not going to get a quality man at that spot.
With the second first-round pick, Van Bibber has Nick Perry going off the board. Perry showed up in a big way at USC last year and most people agree he's a late first or early second round pick. Perry would instantly upgrade the defense and replace Mark Anderson who left for Buffalo.
New England will have some time to see how the draft board falls with their picks both late in the first round at 27th and 31st overall.
For more on the Patriots, be sure to check out our blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the news, notes and updates.