NFL Mock Draft 2013: Patriots could look to bolster secondary

The New England Patriots were pretty good at a lot of things in 2012. Pass defense, however, wasn't always one of them. New England surrendered an average of 271.4 passing yards per game, which was good for fourth-worst in the league. Unsurprisingly, many mock drafts see the Patriots taking a defensive back in April's upcoming NFL Draft.

NFL.com features four draft analysts and their mock draft predictions. All four of them project New England to take a cornerback with the 29th overall pick. Two prognosticators -- Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah -- see the Patriots going with Johnthan Banks, formerly with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. NFL.com's Josh Norris thinks New England should select Boise State's Jamar Taylor, while Charles Davis thinks they could go with Washington Huskies cornerback Desmond Trufant.

Trufant is also the guy SB Nation's Dan Kadar sees the Patriots taking late in the first round. Here's what Kadar had to say about him:

"Another cornerback for Bill Belichick to roll the dice on. Trufant pushed himself into the first round with his NFL Combine showing. He's a speedy cornerback that can play on an island and tackle. If the Patriots can't make something out of a player like Trufant, it would be a shock."

There will seemingly be plenty of options, but it shouldn't be a shocker if the Patriots add depth to their defensive backfield in the first round of the NFL Draft.

More in the NFL:

• NFL mock draft: Free agency shakes things up

• NFL free agent grades: The most regrettable deals signed so far

• NFL free agency: Where has all the money gone?

• NY attorney general wants answers from NFL

• Wes Welker spurns Patriots for Broncos

• Bears go all-in for Jay Cutler with free agent signings