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2018 NFL Draft: Biggest need for each team

By Conor Dorney

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN, AL – OCTOBER 22: Carlton Davis #6 of the Auburn Tigers in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated Arkansas 56-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – OCTOBER 22: Carlton Davis #6 of the Auburn Tigers in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated Arkansas 56-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

New England Patriots: Cornerback

The New England Patriots fell heartbreakingly-short of their second consecutive Super Bowl title and now turn to the 2018 draft in an effort to continue their dominance.

Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is off to Detroit to lead the Lions and the team seems content with not technically replacing him in 2018. I’ll admit, New England responding to other teams poaching their coordinators by not hiring a coordinator is truly peak Patriots. Bravo.

As for the personnel side of things, cornerback remains the most glaring need on the defensive side of the ball. The baffling benching of Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl led Butler to sign with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, meaning that Stephon Gilmore and recent trade acquisition Jason McCourty are currently set to man the outside.

The Patriots likely stand to benefit from the flurry of quarterbacks expected to go in round one (even though they are likely in the market for one themselves), and could find themselves picking from a number of talented defensive prospects when the hit the clock in the first round. Players like Auburn’s Carlton Davis and Iowa’s Josh Jackson are both potential fits at the end of the first for the Pats.

I’d also expect the Pats to add safety depth, and they’re currently rumored to be big fans of Virginia’s Quin Blanding. Either way, look for New England to pounce on the best defensive back available at the end of round one, all to feed the machine that continues to win games and conference/Super Bowl championships.

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