WEEI.com is the place to be for everything you need to know about the 2010 NFL Draft. We’re kicking off the draft coverage by going through the Patriots’ depth chart, position by position, and telling you which players the Pats could target come the last week in April.

Previous positions:

Cornerback

Safety

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

State of the position: Derrick Burgess (free agent), Pierre Woods (free agent), Rob Ninkovich (2 years remaining), Adalius Thomas (2 years remaining), Shawn Crable (2 years remaining), Tully Banta-Cain (2 years remaining)

What’s more likely: Shawn Crable not missing the season or Adalius Thomas and his $4.9 million salary sticking around? There is hope yet for Crable, but the Patriots didn’t even trust Thomas—who came to New England with the reputation of being a sack artist— out there on many passing downs in ‘09. Fans called for an improved pass rush all season long, and Burgess provided no relief, so Bill Belichick and Co. would be crazy to not identify outside linebacker and defensive end as the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft.

Potential free agents of note: Shawn Merriman, Thomas Davis

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS IN THE DRAFT TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Sergio Kindle: Senior, Texas, 6-foot-4, 239 pounds

What he brings: Solid pass-rush, speed

Where the Patriots could get him: Top 15 (trade)

Kindle is another one who could kill it at the Combine and boost himself into the top 15 or higher. A defensive end in his senior year, he doesn’t have the bulk to play on the line in the NFL, so look for teams to covet him as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He made college quarterbacks get rid of the ball frequently in college but only had three sacks as a senior, though at this point the Patriots would probably be satisfied with more hurries. The biggest issue with Kindle—aside from his 2007 DUI and 2009 texting and driving accident— is consistency. He is a hard worker and plays well enough against the run, but he has gone missing from several games in his time at Texas, which, combined with the character issues, is why someone of his athletic ability might not go in the first 10 picks.

Navorro Bowman: Junior, Penn State, 6-foot-1, 230 pounds

2009 stats: 93 tackles, 3 sacks, 0 FF

What he brings: Solid play against the run, strong tackler

Where the Patriots could get him: Pick No. 22

Some folks still call Penn State “Linebacker U,” but why? The Pats had no problem passing on the likes of Dan Connor and Paul Posluszny in the past. Neither of those two warranted the first-round grade they had entering the draft (though both fell—Posluszny to the 34th overall pick in 2007 and Connor to the third round in 2008) and, quite frankly, neither does Bowman. Between off-field issues (a 2007 fight and a 2009 admission of marijuana use), concerns about his size, and the fact that he doesn’t bring enough in the form of a pass rush— something the Patriots desperately need out of their next outside linebacker— Bowman shouldn’t be their guy.

Jerry Hughes: Senior, Texas Christian, 6-foot-3, 257 pounds

2009 stats: 58 tackles, 11 sacks, FF

What he brings: Outstanding pass rush, great tackling ability

Where the Patriots could get him: Pick No. 22/second round

Hughes is another college defensive end who will play outside backer in a 3-4 (trying to avoid using the term “tweener”— and there it is). When compared to Kindle and Bowman, Hughes is probably the smartest option for the Patriots, though waiting around for the Jaguars’ pick (overall pick No. 42, 43, or 44 pending a coin flip) to land an impact guy at a position of such need might be a little risky. Hughes didn’t really emerge as the sackmaster he is until his junior year in which he led the NCAA in sacks with 15. He added 11 as a senior after registering just one in each of his first two years as a Horned Frog. Still, two years of terrorizing quarterbacks should be enough to prove that he could provide a significant boost to a lethargic pass rush in Foxboro. The Pats could land Hughes at a good value by trading up with their second round picks or— block your ears and cover your eyes, restless fans— trading down in the first… again.

Sean Weatherspoon: Senior, Missouri, 6-foot-2, 245 pounds

2009 stats: 103 tackles, 4 sacks, FF

What he brings: Potential to play inside or outside, special teams play

Where the Patriots could get him: Second round

Would the Patriots take linebackers with two of their four picks in the first two rounds? It might make sense if they can land both Hughes and Weatherspoon. Some are calling for a sure-fire “star” to be added to the defense in this draft, but the Patriots would be wise to wait and strengthen their linebacking corps— inside and outside— by adding Hughes and Weatherspoon rather than spending multiple picks and more money to get Kindle. Weatherspoon isn’t anywhere near the pass-rusher that Hughes is, and while he was an outside backer at Missouri, scouts seem to be unsettled regarding which linebacker position he will play in the NFL.

Skip to 1:08 unless you’re a Van Hagar fan like Weatherspoon.

Later-round outside linebackers:

Dekoda Watson: Senior, Florida State, 6-foot-2, 226 pounds (round 4). 7 sacks as a senior and experience both inside and outside.

Dexter Davis: Senior, Arizona State, 6-foot-2, 252 pounds (5-7). Underwhelming senior season after having double-digit sacks in sophomore and junior campaigns.

Justin Cole: Senior, San Jose State, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds (5-7). Would see more time at special teams early on.