EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third part of a nine-part series previewing the 71st annual National Football League draft of college players. Today, the offensive line candidates are previewed.

FOXBORO -- For a guy who almost never drafts offensive linemen, Bill Belichick went to the well enough times in 2005 to call it a career.

The Patriots' coach selected guard Logan Mankins in the first round (32nd overall) and tackle Nick Kaczur in the third (100th overall), and both became starters in their rookie seasons.

Some of it was out of necessity -- Mankins was the replacement for Joe Andruzzi, who left via free agency, and Kaczur the replacement for Matt Light, who was injured three weeks into the season and never returned. But both turned in magnificent dividends for the investment, while at the same time proving that one can never suggest that Belichick ``never'' does something.

That being said, it can't be said with certainty that Belichick won't revisit the offensive line in this year's draft, which begins Saturday. He lost tackle, Tom Ashworth through free agency and is always looking to build depth, and with 11 selections -- seven of them inside the first 150 picks -- he might be tempted to take one of the many serviceable tackles available from among this year's college crop. He won't be getting the top-rated tackle, Virginia's D'Brickashaw Ferguson (6-6, 312; 5.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash), with the No. 21 selection in the first round, that's for sure. Seen as a top-five pick, Ferguson has been rated by the Ourlads Scouting Service as one of the best tackles they've seen in many a Senior Bowl. About the only negative they could find was a need for Ferguson to hit the weights a little more and build the strength his frame can carry.

Auburn's Marcus McNeill (6-7, 336, 5.07) might hang around long enough to be the Patriots' first pick if they so desire. He's huge and explosive and his height isn't a drawback as he mans the left side, and just needs a little more work to hone his pass-protection skills.

Also a possible first-round pick is LSU's Andrew Whitworth (6-7, 334, 5.17), another man mountain who ``manhandles'' ends and tackles with his hand strength. He may be a better pass protector than McNeill and knows how to finish his blocks.

Southern Cal's Winston Justice (6-6, 319; 5.1) has excellent athletic ability, but has inconsistencies in his play and a history of off-field issues that may drop him out of the first round. He drew the right-side assignment at USC to protect lefty quarterback Matt Leinart and did it well.

It's a big drop from there to Miami left tackle Eric Winston (6-6, 310, 4.94), whose thin build and short arms are seen as drawbacks. The converted tight end might be drafted higher than he deserves because he's seen as a work in progress.

California's Ryan O'Callaghan (6-6, 344, 5.39), Texas' Jonathan Scott (6-6 1/3 , 315, 5.32) and Boston College's Jeremy Trueblood (6-8, 316, 5.25) are worthy of selection in the second or third rounds. Trueblood gets the most out of his ability thanks to a mean streak and a high motor, but may be more suited to right tackle with a right-handed QB to protect.

New Mexico's Ryan Cook (6-6, 328, 5.47) may also be worthy of selecting on the first day. Beyond that, the best tackle prospects are Northwestern's Zach Strief, Weber State's Paul McQuistan, Georgia's Dennis Roland and Washington's Joe Toledo.

A couple of New Englanders, Northeastern's Ryan Gibbons and Connecticut's Grant Preston, might be worth low seventh-round picks or long looks as undrafted free agents.

It's a slim year for centers, which makes it imperative that Dan Koppen is back to full health for the Patriots. The top of the lean crop is Ohio State's Nick Mangold (6-3{, 300, 5.05), who is equally adept in shotgun or conventional sets and is smart and alert, having made all of the line calls for the Buckeyes for three years.

Minnesota's Greg Eslinger (6-3, 292, 5.13) is a bit smallish for today's behemoth-manned lines, but he uses his hands and feet well, and parlayed a walk-on shot into the Outland Trophy in 2005. He's third-round worthy. Other centers worth a second-day selection are Virginia Tech's Will Montgomery, Oklahoma's Chris Chester and Louisville's Jason Spitz. Boston College's Pat Ross could follow in Foxboro native Tom Nalen's footsteps and make it to the NFL out of the seventh round.

There may not be a guard taken in the first round, but a trio of players has a shot.

Oklahoma's Davin Joseph (6-2, 311, 5.11) is solid and athletic, uses good technique and is agile in his footwork, and is versatile enough to play tackle if needed.

Pittsburgh's Charles Spencer (6-4 2/3 , 352, 5.19) is a converted defensive tackle who brings an accompanying defensive, ``attack'' mentality to the position. He's a bit of a project and needs to learn how to sustain his blocks.

Georgia's Max Jean-Gilles (6-3 2/3 , 355, 5.48) is a widebody that mauls his opponents when in the trenches, but don't expect him to be too successful as a pulling guard because he can't stop on a dime. If he keeps his weight under control, he's a load.

Likely third-round picks are Boise State's Daryn Colledge (6-4, 299, 5.05), USC's Taitusi Lutui (6-3, 334, 5.44) and Ohio State's Rob Sims (6-2 2/3 , 307, 5.25). Not far behind, but likely to be waiting until Sunday to be selected, are North Dakota's Chris Kuper, Indiana's Isaac Sowells, Syracuse's Quinn Ojinnaka, Cornell's Kevin Boothe, Bloomsburg's Jahri Evans, Miami's Rashad Butler, East Carolina's Guy Whimper and USC's Fred Matua.

MONDAY: The running backs are previewed.