01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Leading up to the NFL draft, the Journal's Tom E. Curran will profile a player at a "need" position for the Patriots each day. New England has 10 picks in the draft, six in the first four rounds. Their first round pick is the 21st overall. Profiles are based on our own analysis and interviews, various draft resources and Pro Football Weekly's 2006 Draft Preview book.

TODAY'S PROFILE: MIKE HASS POSITION: Wide receiver

COLLEGE: Oregon State

HEIGHT: 6 feet, 1/2 inch

WEIGHT: 208

TIME IN THE 40: 4.62

THE LOWDOWN Won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver last season. Caught 90 balls for 1,532 yards and six scores in 2005, 86 for 1,379 yards and seven touchdowns in '04 and 44 for 1,013 yards and seven scores as a sophomore in '03. Caught four passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in the East-West Shrine game. Walked on at Oregon State and went on to set the OSU career records for receptions and yardage and the Pac-10 record for single-season yards in 05.

THE PROS Precise route-runner with good size and savvy. Very well built. Knows how to beat the jam and find the spaces in zones. Relishes blocking and can be slippery after the catch. Doesn't mind contact in the least and will work over the middle. Talented at setting up defensive backs with double moves and footwork. Determined player intent on making those who doubt his ability live to regret it. He'll have special-teams value early in his career as he learns the ropes as a receiver.

THE CONS Doesn't have breakaway speed and doesn't have the raw ability to be a No. 1 receiver. Doesn't get much separation.

COULD HE BE A PATRIOT? Hass has a lot of the skills David Givens took with him when he left to play for the Titans. In addition, Hass comes into the league with a far better reputation as a pass-catcher and a ton of production. The Patriots wouldn't need Hass to be a No. 1 -- Deion Branch fills that role -- but they need someone to run precise routes, be where he's supposed to be and move the chains. Hass does all of that. He could be a bargain because teams are going to bypass him in favor of the burners. Since he'll have to be able to play special teams, it's encouraging that some experts believe he'll have value as a gunner in coverage. The Patriots have scouted him and are intrigued by his production, attitude and willingness to work. ESPN.com has him rated as the 17th-best receiver in the draft, for what it's worth. Could be a third-round consideration but hoping he'll last until the second day would be a roll of the dice.

COLLECTION OF CARDS "Draft Card" will run every day between now and April 28, which is the eve of the NFL draft. All entries are archived on projo.com at www.projo.com/patriots