01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, April 27, 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. 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:

JOSH HUSTON

POSITION: Kicker

COLLEGE: Ohio State

HEIGHT: 6-foot-1

WEIGHT: 209

THE LOWDOWN

Spent six years in college (redshirted in 2000, missed '02 season with hip injury). Backed up Mike Nugent, a second-round pick for the Jets, for four of the six seasons. When he finally got to be the full-time kicker in 2005, he was solid, making 17 of 19 kicks inside 40 yards and 5 of 10 from outside 40. He sent 49 of his 70 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

THE PROS

Accurate. Very strong leg. Played against high-level competition in a big-time program. His ability to boom it on kickoffs and alter the trajectories easily make him a kicker with value beyond just field goals.

THE CONS

Limited game experience over the last six seasons. Has had a hip and knee injury. Was a little erratic outside 40 yards.

COULD HE BE A PATRIOT?

The big leg on kickoffs would have certain appeal for the Patriots. The lack of consistent kicking experience prior to 2005 should count against him. Compare Huston to a player like Memphis' Steve Gostkowski (70 career field goals in Memphis) and you can see why Gostkowski would seem the safer choice between the two, despite Huston's better measurables. The Pats have spent significant time at Ohio State checking out Huston's teammates (Bobby Carpenter, Santonio Holmes), so they would likely know Huston by now.

COLLECTION OF CARDS

All entries of "Draft Card," which has run every day since March 30, are archived on projo.com at www.projo.com/patriots