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5. Free Safety

When the Patriots traded Duron Harmon last spring, they never really brought in a replacement. The team likes to use a two deep safety set, but last year that role next to Devin McCourty was often filled by a cornerback playing out of position. Jason McCourty, who was used quite a bit in that sense, is still a pending free agent. On top of that, Devin McCourty will turn 34 during training camp, and is entering the last year of his contract. So while the Patriots need to find a true deep safety to play next to him, it would also make sense to start looking for his replacement. Of course, they could accomplish both at once by taking a safety this year. The goal would be to find a guy with a high floor, who could at least fit into that No. 2 role, then potentially step into McCourty’s shoes as the main option if he continues to develop. Level of need: 3rd-5th round

When the Patriots traded Duron Harmon last spring, they never really brought in a replacement. The team likes to use a two deep safety set, but last year that role next to Devin McCourty was often filled by a cornerback playing out of position. Jason McCourty, who was used quite a bit in that sense, is still a pending free agent. On top of that, Devin McCourty will turn 34 during training camp, and is entering the last year of his contract. So while the Patriots need to find a true deep safety to play next to him, it would also make sense to start looking for his replacement. Of course, they could accomplish both at once by taking a safety this year. The goal would be to find a guy with a high floor, who could at least fit into that No. 2 role, then potentially step into McCourty’s shoes as the main option if he continues to develop. Level of need: 3rd-5th round