09:12 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 11, 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 a total of 11 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: ALAN ZEMAITIS POSITION: Cornerback

COLLEGE: Penn State

HEIGHT: 6-foot-1

WEIGHT: 195

TIME IN THE 40: 4.55

THE LOWDOWN Puts up numbers. Had 12 picks in his last three years at Penn State including four in 2003. He played that season after suffering a serious head injury in a car accident (fell asleep at the wheel). He made 71 tackles and broke up 18 passes that season as well. Has started every game the past two seasons as the Nittany Lions returned to prominence. Teams have shied from him since.

THE PROS Smart and plays that way. Very disciplined which is a big plus considering his athleticism could tempt him to try and push the edges. According to Pro Football Weekly, he got his hands on more balls than any defensive back to enter the draft in the past four seasons. Very good build.

THE CONS His measurables aren't outstanding. His 30-inch vertical jump is the worst among the top 30 prospects listed in The Sporting News War Room; his 225-pound bench press (10 reps) is the lowest among the top 20. He's fast but there's concern he may not be quick enough to stick smallish wide receivers.

COULD HE BE A PATRIOT? Because of his smarts and size, he's an attractive fit for the multiple coverage Patriots. He plays very well in zone coverage which the Pats would like. Really productive and rarely makes mental mistakes. The Patriots' corner contingent is a mishmash right now. There's youth (Ellis Hobbs and Randall Gay) and experience (Eric Warfield, Asante Samuel, Artrell Hawkins). He does a few things well so that makes him attractive. Then again, the Pats don't have that one true shutdown corner on the club and Zemaitis really wouldn't be that either. He may be too similar in skill level to the other guys -- good, not really, really good -- and the Pats may want to look at a shutdown type instead.

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