FOXBORO -- There was a time when it appeared that the draft strategy of the New England Patriots began and ended with the defensive backfield.

The Patriots have seemingly always been in the search for a top-rated cornerback and safety in the high rounds. For example:

** In 1976, with three picks in the first round, the Patriots took cornerback Michael Haynes with the first (fifth overall) and safety Tim Fox with the third (21st).

** In 1977, they took cornerback Raymond Clayborn with the 16th overall pick.

** In 1979, they made safety Rick Sanford their top pick (25th overall). ** In 1980, safety Roland James was the top selection (14th overall), rounding out what became the best defensive backfield in the team's history.

** In 1985 and 1986, they added a pair of safeties in the second round, Jim Bowman (52nd overall) and Vencie Glenn (54th) respectively. Bowman made the team and contributed; Glenn was a bust.

** In 1991 and 1992, the second round was the origin for a pair of cornerbacks, Jerome Henderson (41st overall) and Rod Smith (35th) respectively. Only Smith lasted for a while.

** In 1995, the Patriots returned to the first-round well to take cornerback Ty Law (23rd overall), who gave them a solid decade.

** In 1997, they used the 29th overall pick on cornerback Chris Canty of Kansas State, an abject failure.

** In 1998, they used one of their two first-round picks (22nd overall) on Syracuse safety Tebucky Jones, with the intention of using him as a cornerback. The experiment failed and Jones eventually returned to safety, having his best years with New Orleans and Miami before returning here as a backup.

** Their highest picks in the defensive backfield since then came in 2003, when cornerback Eugene Wilson (now a safety) went with the 36th overall pick, and last year, when promising cornerback Ellis Hobbs was taken in the third round, 84th overall.

With that in mind, and with the knowledge that the safety corps was one of the most active areas of offseason acquisition for the Patriots, it's still unclear whether Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli will see the need to spend the 21st overall selection in this year's draft, which begins Saturday, on either a corner or a safety. But there's reason to believe that, given the talent available, they may be willing to shore up a position group that has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons.

There's a chance that the best cornerback on the board will be available at No. 21. He's Clemson's Tye Hill (5-9, 185; 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash), who makes up for his smallish stature with his athletic ability and confidence. He was the best cover corner at the Senior Bowl and his only flaw appears to be size-related, when trying to come up in run support -- but Belichick has had plenty of success with ``smallish'' corners in the past.

Virginia Tech's Jimmy Williams (6-2 1/3 , 213, 4.46) has more size and is a bigger hitter (like Tebucky Jones), but he often misses tackles because he's going for the SportsCenter hit. He's surprisingly good at covering man-to-man, and is versatile enough to switch to strong safety, which could warrant a first-round pick. The crap shoot of the first round will be Florida State's Antonio Cromartie (6-2, 208, 4.47), a player who started only one game in college as he was platooned one year and then tore an ACL at the beginning of 2005. He has the potential to be an outstanding cover corner, but his tackling fundamentals are weak and there's a lot of rust on him from the long layoff.

There's a good selection or corners who'll be available in the second round.

Ohio State's Ashton Youboty (5-11, 189, 4.45), a native of Liberia, is still learning the game, but was the Buckeyes' best cover corner last year and could be a project with a huge upside. Miami's Kelly Jennings (5-10, 178, 4.39) has speed to burn, is instinctive in coverage and a solid tackler, but needs to get stronger. Fresno State's Richard Marshall (5-11, 189, 4.46) is a very physical junior-eligible who led his team in tackles but needs a little polish in techniques. South Carolina's Johnathan Joseph (5-11, 190, 4.31) has outstanding speed, but maybe outruns his understanding of the position at times and needs to be more aware of adjustments.

Others likely to be selected on the first day are Georgia's Demario Minter, Penn State's Alan Zemaitis, Florida's Dee Webb, Abilene Christine's Danieal Manning, Georgia's Tim Jennings, receiver-defensive back hybrid Devin Hester of Miami, and Penn State's Anwar Phillips.

Another player in the offense-vs.-defense conundrum is Boston College's Will Blackmon (6-0, 198, 4.49), who has played both for the Eagles and may tempt a team looking for versatility. Other New England cornerbacks likely to get looks in a pro training camp are R.J. Cobbs and Steve Costello, both from UMass-Amherst.

Things are less certain at safety in terms of draft strategy for the Patriots. With Rodney Harrison still rehabbing a serious knee injury, they list seven other players at the two positions, including veteran pickups Jones and Mel Mitchell. But that doesn't mean there's not room for more.

Among the free safeties, Texas' Michael Huff (6-0, 204, 4.37) is versatile enough to play both corner and safety, but the scouts love his fundamental skills and intelligence, as well as a competitive fire that has him playing full-speed on every down.

Also highly regarded is Tennessee's Jason Allen (6-0, 209, 4.43), who needs only to work on the little things to make him the complete package. He's coming off a hip injury, but was fully healthy at the Combine and will go in the first round.

South Carolina's Ko Simpson (6-1, 209, 4.46) and Florida State's Pat Watkins (6-4}, 211, 4.48) are likely second-round selections but not far behind Huff and Allen because of the athleticism and big-hit capability they bring to the position. Alabama's Roman Harper (5-11, 198, 4.63) may also be worth a look in the third round.

Watch for Ohio State's Nate Salley, Syracuse's Anthony Smith, Penn State's Calvin Lowry and Howard's Antoine Bethea to go early on Sunday.

Among the strong safeties, the selections seem to start in the second round. Ohio State's Donte Whitner (5-10, 2-4, 4.45) is the best of the lot, bringing a pro-like work ethic to the job and coverage skills similar to that of a cornerback.

Southern Cal's Darnell Bing (6-2, 227, 4.65), Nebraska's Daniel Bullocks (6-0, 212, 4.4) and Texas' Cedric Griffin (6-0, 199, 4.51), will all go off the board in the second round, with Purdue's Bernard Pollard (6-1, 224, 4.6) not far behind.

Likely to go early Sunday are Georgia Tech's Dawan Landry, Georgia's Greg Blue and Michigan State's Eric Smith.

THURSDAY: The kickers are previewed.