01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, April 13, 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 own analysis and interviews, various draft resources and Pro Football Weekly's 2006 Draft Preview book.

TODAY'S PROFILE:

KAMERION WIMBLEY

POSITION: Outside linebacker.

COLLEGE: Florida State.

HEIGHT: 6-foot-4.

WEIGHT: 248 pounds.

TIME IN THE 40: 4.61.

THE LOWDOWN

Went to FSU as a defensive end and worked there during almost all of his four seasons. Started 11 games for the Seminoles in 2005 and had 26 tackles, 11 for losses and 7 1/2 sacks. A sprained knee his senior year limited him to four games.

THE PROS

A hard worker with "exceptional" character according to Pro Football Weekly's draft preview, Wimbley has good power (24 reps of 225 on the bench) and really gets off the edge with quickness. His power helps him even against top-tier offensive tackles -- he went against the best lineman in this draft, D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Virginia) and highly thought of Winston Justice (Miami) and showed very well against both. He can drop into coverage if need be. Not robotic in his movements. Looked excellent at the Senior Bowl against the run and in getting off the corner. He'll have an impact on special teams the moment he walks into an NFL training camp.

THE CONS

He's had some injury issues (sprained knee in '05). He needs to add some heft to that long, lean frame so he won't get blasted off the edge by the tackles and tight ends that do get their hands on him. He'll have to become more refined in pass rush. Honestly, not that much to dislike.

COULD HE BE A PATRIOT?

Would seem to fit the Pats' profile as a college defensive end the team can transform into a 3-4 outside linebacker. Fortunately for New England, most teams are going to look at Wimbley as a defensive end who's not big enough. But all the 3-4 teams -- Cleveland, Dallas, the Pats -- are going to like this player who is similar to DeMarcus Ware, according to The Sporting News. The tough part for the Pats is trying to figure value. Even though other teams wouldn't think of touching him early, does New England grab him in the second or even the first round because he's valuable to them? Or do they wait, figuring he'll be available later and take a chance losing him? That's why New England's linebacker strategy is so interesting to watch.

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.