09:15 AM EDT on Saturday, April 8, 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 11 picks in the draft, six in the first four rounds. Their first-round pick is the 21st overall. Profiles are based on our analysis and interviews, various draft resources and Pro Football Weekly's 2006 Draft Preview book.

TODAY'S PROFILE:

RICHARD MARSHALL

POSITION: Cornerback

COLLEGE: Fresno State

HEIGHT: 5-11

WEIGHT: 190

TIME IN THE 40: 4.4

THE LOWDOWN

Playing in the pass-happy Western Athletic Conference, Marshall has improved each season with his technique. He had 78 tackles in 2005, his junior year and added three interceptions and 11 passes defensed. Also picked off three passes in his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons. He played for Pat Hill, a former coaching colleague of Bill Belichick's who's been doing a terrific job at Fresno and sent the Patriots guard Logan Mankins (first round) and safety James Sanders (fourth round) last April.

THE PROS

Excellent athlete who likes to hit. Conscientious worker. Has good size and good hand quickness and pop which helps him redirect receivers off the line and muck up the timing of routes. Durable, starting every game the past two seasons. Plays smoothly and in control and has an understanding of the nuances of playing the position. Best off in man coverage so far.

THE CONS

Not many. He will need to get a better understanding of playing in zone coverages. The level of competition in the WAC is good but not great, although Fresno did play USC competitively last fall. Technique still needs some refinement.

COULD HE BE A PATRIOT?

The Pats have already kicked the tires on Marshall and there's a creeping feeling they could grab him as early as the first round (21st overall). The Pats success with Mankins and Sanders last year has likely brought more league-wide attention to the Fresno program and, as a result, Marshall won't slip under the radar. He's got a lot of the qualities the Pats like in a corner -- a willing hitter, productive tackler and smooth and disciplined cover guy.

COLLECTION OF CARDS

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