01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, April 15, 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. The Pats' 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:

BOBBY CARPENTER

POSITION: Outside linebacker.

COLLEGE: Ohio State.

HEIGHT: 6-foot-2 1/2.

WEIGHT: 256 pounds.

TIME IN THE 40: 4.61.

THE LOWDOWN

Playing in the shadow of dominant Buckeyes linebacker A.J. Hawk and missing the Michigan game and Fiesta Bowl with a broken ankle, Carpenter has been a bit overlooked. Had 49 tackles, 10.5 for losses, and eight sacks in 2005 and rolled up 93 tackles in 2004, his first as a starter. His father Rob played for the Giants in the NFL and was there as a running back when Bill Belichick was their defensive coordinator.

THE PROS

Excellent size and a nice athlete. Plays hard and physically and shows a lot of on-field passion. He has good power and has been extremely productive on special teams. Because of his size, he can play an inside linebacker spot in the 3-4 if needed. Because of his speed, he can play outside, as well. He's smart, coachable and understands quickly what he's being told.

THE CONS

Needs to do a better job of discarding blockers when he gets locked up. He has to improve his playing strength (although his weight-room strength is excellent). Hasn't yet shown much ability as a player who can drop into coverage because he was used primarily with his hand on the ground as a pass-rusher.

COULD HE BE A PATRIOT?

If you've followed our profiles, Carpenter now becomes the third guy who seems to be an ideal fit for the linebacker-hungry Patriots (following Kamerion Wimbley and DeMeco Ryans). Carpenter may be the best physical specimen of the three in terms of size. The fact that Mike Vrabel went from a position similar to the one Carpenter performed in at Ohio State shows precedent for a player succeeding in the Pats' scheme. Also, Vrabel will be able to give a good reference on Carpenter since the two have worked out together during this offseason. His special-teams ability really makes him attractive, but, as with Wimbley and Ryans, is taking him at No. 21 a reach? And if the Pats wait, will he be gone before they have a shot at him in Round 2?

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.