They might be Super Bowl Champions but the New England Patriots go into tonight's NFL draft with several holes to fill, and despite picking #32 should have several options.Trying to predict what the unpredictable Pats will do has been difficult over the years but they have leaned to defensive players in recent drafts. In 7 of the last 8 years the team has taken a player from the defensive side of the ball with only offensive tackle Nate Solder breaking up that trend with his selection in 2011.

Several mock drafts have the Patriots taking an offensive lineman but vary on which one that will be. Some have also suggested the team should look for a cornerback or wide receiver.

Below is a look at the Patriots first selection over the last 20 years.
Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2014
1 29 Dominique Easley
DT Florida

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2013
2 52 Jamie Collins
LB Southern Miss

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2012
1 21 Chandler Jones
DE Syracuse

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2011
1 17 Nate Solder
OL Colorado

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2010
1 27 Devin McCourty
DB Rutgers

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2009
2 34 Patrick Chung
DB Oregon

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2008
1 10 Jerod Mayo
LB Tennessee

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2007
1 24 Brandon Meriweather
DB Miami (FL)

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2006
1 21 Laurence Maroney
RB Minnesota

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2005
1 32 Logan Mankins
G Fresno St.

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2004
1 21 Vince Wilfork
NT Miami (FL)

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2003
1 13 Ty Warren
DE Texas A&M

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2002
1 21 Daniel Graham
TE Colorado

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2001
1 6 Richard Seymour
DE Georgia

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
2000
2 46 Adrian Klemm
G Hawaii

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
1999
1 17 Damien Woody
C Boston Col.

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
1998
1 18 Robert Edwards
RB Georgia

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
1997
1 29 Chris Canty
DB Kansas St.

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
1996
1 7 Terry Glenn
WR Ohio St.

Year Rnd Pick Pos College/Univ
1995
1 23 Ty Law
DB Michigan

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