WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that may be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2012 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

Texas linebacker Keenan Robinson, here breaking up a pass against BYU on Sept. 10, has seen his draft stock drop. (AP)

KEENAN ROBINSON

Position: Inside linebacker

School: Texas

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 242 pounds

Achievements: Coaches All-Big XII second team (2011), AP All-Big XII second team (2010), Butkus Award semifinalist (2010, 2011), 2011 Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP

What he brings: A pure 4-3 linebacking prospect, the speedy Robinson projects as more of a quick, sideline-to-sideline tackler a la Jerod Mayo as opposed to a downhill, Brandon Spikes-type run stuffer. Robinson’s greatest asset is his speed, a talent that some teams project can be better utilized on the outside of a 4-3, allowing him to better roam in space. Robinson was underutilized as a blitzer while playing middle linebacker at Texas, leaving his capability as a pass rusher largely enigmatic should he move to the outside.

Robinson has a reputation for hitting with a vengeance and does a good job of bringing down ballcarriers. However, scouts have slammed his ability to fight through blocks and attack the line of scrimmage, claiming that he tends to go around blocks rather than through them. When he does go inside, Robinson is known to get swallowed up when taking on larger blockers. Despite the holes in his game, Robinson is universally identified as a high-character player and leader with solid game tape, which may be enough to outweigh the issues raised by draft experts.

Where the Patriots could get him: Rounds 3-4

Notes: Robinson came into the 2011 college season as one of the top inside linebackers in the draft, but he has fallen drastically as scouts continue to pick apart his game. In one of his early drafts last year, ESPN’s Todd McShay had Robinson going No. 23 overall. Now, though, Robinson’s stock has drifted toward the middle rounds.

The speed-reliant prospect’s performance at the combine was hit-and-miss. Robinson’s 4.79-second 40-yard dash ranked 23rd out of 29 linebackers, which could raise eyebrows when talking about a player who has such high-end game speed. Meanwhile, Robinson’s 27 reps on the bench press was in the top five at the combine for his position.

Related articles:

The Daily Texan: Keenan Robinson displaying his versatility

Endzone Report: Q&A with Texas linebacker Keenan Robinson

Stateman.com: Keenan Robinson, Emmanuel Acho give Longhorns twice as much punch at linebacker

Video: Here’s a package of Robinson’s highlights from his final game at Texas: the 2011 Holiday Bowl against Cal. Robinson recorded nine tackles in a 21-10 victory.

Deonte Thompson catches passes at Tuesday's Pro Day. (AP)

In the midst of all the free agency whirlwind, it’s easy to forget that it’s only one part of the team-building experience — the big colleges continue to showcase prospects at their Pro Days. And at Tuesday’s Pro Scout Day at the University of Florida, reps from the Patriots reportedly had their eye on ex-Gator wideout Deonte Thompson.

This story in the Palm Beach Post details Thompson’s Pro Day, including the fact that his 40 was between a 4.23 and 4.33, as well as the news that the receiver was later flagged down by a Patriots’ scout who was apparently trying to set up a meeting.

At Florida, the 6-foot, 200-pound Thompson caught 101 passes for 1,446 yards and nine touchdowns. After a 38-catch season as a junior, he slipped to 21 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown as a senior.

Quarterback John Brantley, running back Chris Rainey and defensive tackle Jaye Howard were among those who joined Thompson at the workout. (In addition, cornerback Janoris Jenkins also made an appearance after being kicked off the team following his second marijuana-related arrest. Jenkins finished his college career at North Alabama.) The workout drew NFL scouts from 24 teams and one head coach, Jacksonville’s Mike Mularkey.

In the past, the Patriots have drafted more than their share of Gators, including Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham, Chad Jackson and Aaron Hernandez.

In the eyes of NFL Films producer Greg Cosell, Rob Ninkovich and Brandon Spikes are two unheralded parts of the Patriots defense. (AP)

Had the opportunity to sit down with longtime NFL Films producer Greg Cosell (who watches more game film than just about anyone) at the combine last week in Indianapolis, and we talked a lot about the past, present and possible future of the Patriots, including what he thought of a couple of New England linebackers, Rob Ninkovich and Brandon Spikes.

“I thought two guys who played really well down the stretch and helped their defense play better — it clearly played better — were Ninkovich and Brandon Spikes,” said Cosell, who serves as the producer for ESPN’s “NFL Matchup.”

“I thought he played real well, particularly down the stretch,” Cosell said of Ninkovich, one of only two NFL defenders to finish the regular season with at least six sacks and two interceptions. “I think Ninkovich, he became a really versatile player. He’s not a dynamic, explosive playmaker, play after play. I don’t think he’s a guy who offenses say, ‘We better account for Rob Ninkovich.’ But I thought he played really well down the stretch.”

As for Spikes, Cosell has been an advocate of his for a long time, writing on Twitter that the Florida product is a dynamic presence against the run who is a unique player in this day and age.

“I’m a huge Spikes fan, for what he is. I’m not going to ask him to run with Jimmy Graham, but for what he is, I think he’s really good,” Cosell said. “There aren’t many guys in the league like him who play downhill. He takes on blocks with violence. That’s a dying breed in the NFL. A passing league, a spread league, now, you have linebackers that run around blocks. He took on blocks this year, and he usually won.”

Late in the season, Patriots coach Bill Belichick compared Spikes to former Giants linebacker Pepper Johnson (currently New England’s defensive line coach), a comparison Cosell wholeheartedly agreed with.

“That’s a great comparison,” Cosell said. “Pepper Johnson was the unsung hero of the defense he was on. Bill is all about filling roles and doing your job. He doesn’t get caught up in the media BS. And to him, Pepper Johnson is a critical piece of a defensive puzzle. Brandon Spikes is a critical piece of their puzzle. He may never be an All-Pro, but he’s a good player for them. For what [Belichick] wants and he needs, he does his job and he does it well.”

Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes took to Twitter Tuesday morning, saying that he was going in for surgery and asking fans to pray for him. Spikes, who just completed his second season with the Patriots, Tweeted: Surgery this am!!!! Y’all pray 4 me please. #PoWwWwW! The linebacker missed seven games in 2011 with a sprained MCL.

In the new edition of the “It Is What It Is” podcast, WEEI.com’s Christopher Price chats with former  Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham, who breaks down the New England defense, with a specific look at linebackers Brandon Spikes, Rob Ninkovich and Jerod Mayo. Chatham also gives his thoughts on the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Giants and where the team goes from here. Click HERE to listen.

Vince Wilfork is our highest-rated defensive player. (AP)

With the 2011 season in the rear-view mirror — and the Patriots facing a number of key personnel decisions — it seems like a good time to break down the current 53-man roster, taking a look at who might be the most valuable members of the franchise.

We arrived at this list by considering a combination of factors, including overall ability, positional versatility, expectations, contract situation and place on the depth chart. We also looked at what might be best described as intangibles — loosely defined as a mixture of clubhouse character and willingness to work. In all, it helped us determine the overall value of each player within the Patriots system.

A quick note: The 53 players were taken straight from New England’s postseason media guide, the most up-to-date listing available. That means injured players such as Andre Carter, Mike Wright, Jermaine Cunningham, Dan Koppen and Ras-I Dowling, as well as practice squadders, are not included for purposes of this exercise.

We started with No. 53 through No. 26. Here’s No. 25 through No. 1:

25. Punter Zoltan Mesko: A borderline Pro Bowler, Mesko had an excellent year and was singled out earlier this season by an NFL scout we spoke with who acknowledged his work when it came to helping the Patriots win the battle of field position, especially early in games when New England was struggling to score points. Should be one of the best in the league for years to come.

24. Defensive back Sterling Moore: Released by the Raiders in September, he ended up playing significant minutes down the stretch and into the postseason. He made what was likely the defensive play of the year when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Baltimore’s Lee Evans in the AFC championship game. Regardless of what the Patriots do in free agency or the draft, he has played his way into the regular rotation of defensive backs going forward.

23. Tackle Sebastian Vollmer: It was a lost season for the big German, who struggled with back and foot issues for much of the season. Presuming that left tackle Matt Light will return as the starting left tackle in 2012, Vollmer will face a fight for his starting job next year at the right tackle spot with Nate Solder.

22. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski: A very good year for Gostkowski, who remains one of the more steady and consistent kickers in the league.

21. Defensive lineman Kyle Love: Love is likely the best and most consistent young defensive lineman on the roster. He played roughly half the snaps for the Patriots this season at the defensive tackle spot, and gained a wealth of knowledge playing much of the season alongside Vince Wilfork. It will be interesting to watch his progression into 2012, especially with a lockout-free offseason.

20. Wide receiver Deion Branch: He’s not the receiver he once was, but he maximizes the tools that are still at his disposal, including his smarts, his knowledge of the game and his relationship with Tom Brady. Prior to a couple of ill-timed drops in the Super Bowl, he still showed a knack for coming up big in big moments. A free agent, he’s one of the really intriguing decisions the Patriots face this offseason.

19. Running back Stevan Ridley: An interesting rookie year — he showed genuine flashes of greatness at times, running the ball for 5.1 yards per carry with real explosiveness. But there were a couple of fumbles late in the season, which ultimately meant that an occasionally promising year ended on something of a sour note. With a good offseason (lockout-free), he could push BenJarvus Green-Ellis for the role of lead back in 2012.

18. Defensive end Mark Anderson: One of the pleasant free agent surprises of 2012 (along with Andre Carter and Brian Waters), Anderson saw his role expand over the course of the season from that of a pure third-down pass rusher to a more complete defender. He’s not quite a complete three-down player yet in the New England system, but certainly progressed over the course of the season. Like Carter, his better-than-expected performance on a one-year deal will leave the Patriots with a decision to make at the start of free agency.

17. Tackle Nate Solder: The Patriots’ Rookie of the Year, he had a very good rookie season, working as a right and left tackle, a part-time tight end as well as getting reps on special teams. (According to Pro Football Focus, he was eighth on the offense in total snaps with 1,044, more than veterans like Dan Connolly, Deion Branch and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.) He struggled in the Super Bowl, but will almost certainly push Vollmer for the starter’s job at right tackle in 2012.

16. Running back Danny Woodhead: An up-and-down season for Woodhead, but when he was on, it was clear he’s emerged as a mostly positive heir to Kevin Faulk as the teams’ third-down/changeup back. (He’s not the blocker Faulk is, but has shown himself to be a statistical equal in several other areas.) Woodhead had a very good Super Bowl, and stands ready to be an integral part of the New England offense going forward.

15. Cornerback Devin McCourty: A mixed bag this season for McCourty, who struggled mightily in coverage over the first half of the season but did show some improvement over the second half, returning to his old physical self. He flashed some versatility late in the regular season and into the playoffs with a move to safety on third down and other passing situations, and he didn’t appear overwhelmed when he made the switch. Like Julian Edelman, he’ll bear watching in minicamps and other OTA’s when it comes to where he lines up. What the Patriots ultimately decide to do with him could have a sizable impact on the rest of the secondary.
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This postseason, according to official NFL gamebooks, the Patriots had 21 hits and 11 sacks during the 2011 playoffs. When it came to who did the best job getting after the quarterback, we already gave you the regular-season breakdown. Now, here’s a look of who did the best job during the 2011 postseason:

Quarterback hits
Defensive end Mark Anderson: 4
Linebacker Rob Ninkovich: 4
Defenisve lineman Vince Wilfork: 3
Linebacker Brandon Spikes: 2
Cornerback Kyle Arrington: 1
Defensive end Brandon Deaderick: 1
Safety James Ihedigbo: 1
Linebacker Jerod Mayo: 1
Defensive tackle Kyle Love: 1
Linebacker Dane Fletcher: 1
Defensive lineman Shaun Ellis: 1
Linebacker Niko Koutouvides: 1

Sacks:
Anderson: 2.5 (16 yards)
Wilfork 2.5 (14.5 yards)
Ninkovich: 2 (12.5 yards)
Deaderick: 1 (2 yards)
Ihedigbo: 1 (12 yards)
Spikes: 1 (4 yards)
Ellis: 1 (5 yards)