EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the eighth part of a nine-part series previewing the 73rd annual National Football League draft of college players. Today, the defensive backs are previewed.

FOXBORO - Just as it seemed the Patriots were set in their defensive backfield for years to come, the modern-day NFL intervened.

Asante Samuel, made the "franchise player" in 2007 to his chagrin, agreed to return to the Patriots after a training-camp holdout for a promise that he wouldn't be subject to the franchise tag again.

The promise was upheld, Samuel made another six interceptions to bring his regular-season career total to 22, and then he was off like a shot to the Philadelphia Eagles, embracing the bounty of a six-year, $57 million contract through free agency that the Patriots would not give him.

Samuel's departure was quickly followed by Randall Gay's signing by the New Orleans Saints. Those departures, as well as the post-Super Bowl news that fellow cornerback Ellis Hobbs needed to have surgery on both his shoulder and his groin, definitely puts the Patriots at a disadvantage in their defensive backfield entering the 2008 season. Cornerback is widely regarded as one of the Patriots' top priorities, if not No. 1, when the 73rd annual NFL Draft convenes Saturday afternoon. Depth in the safety ranks, following the departure of former starter Eugene Wilson, heightens the sense of need entering the annual restocking of the shelves.

Fortunately for the Patriots, the cornerback crop is deep and plentiful - and they know it, having brought many of the top prospects to Foxboro for personal meetings with the coaching and medical staffs.

If they keep the No. 7 pick in the first round, there are at least two very worthwhile potential selections that should be there for them. If not, there are as many as nine more blue-chippers considered worth of selection later in the first round and as far down as the end of the second, where the Patriots currently hold the No. 62 pick.

Tops on the list is Troy's Leodis McKelvin (5-101/4, 190; 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Physically gifted and instinctive in coverage, McKelvin had only two interceptions in four years but proved to be a hard-hitter and a fast learner who made few mistakes. And, the scouts believe his physical talents are still steadily improving.

Not far behind is Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (6-11/2, 184; 4.35), the proud possessor of the longest hyphenated name in the draft. The cousin of San Diego's Pro Bowl corner, Antonio Cromartie, his talents are slightly more raw but no less athletic and gifted than McKelvin's. Rodgers-Cromartie was the top-rated corner at the scouting combine workouts in Indianapolis and is seen as a player who can get stronger without sacrificing speed or agility.

South Florida's Mike Jenkins (5-10, 197; 4.42) has a few blemishes on his off-field record, and the scouts seem to agree that he needs to improve his consistency, mental toughness, coverage discipline and attitude. But his physical gifts are too great to overlook. He's not a top-10 pick, but not far from it.

Arizona's Antoine Cason (6-0, 191; 4.53), a smart, instinctive and improving player who had 15 career interceptions, joins Kansas' Aqib Talib (6-01/2, 202; 4.49), a bit of a gambler who won 13 times in his career with picks, Oklahoma's Reggie Smith (6-01/2, 199; 4.5) and Penn State's Justin King (5-103/4, 192; 4.36) as players who might be worth a look in the middle to the end of the first round if the Patriots choose to move down.

Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers (5-91/2, 189; 4.59) is strong, but a little short and not as quick as some teams might like. Indiana's Tracy Porter (5-10, 190; 4.46) isn't a very physical player but made 16 career picks. Auburn's Patrick Lee (6-0, 200; 4.44) combines size and good speed with an aptitude for man-to-man coverage. Iowa's Charles Godfrey (5-113/4, 197; 4.42) is at home in press coverage - and all of them will be readily available throughout the second round.

With the No. 69 pick (early in the third round), the Patriots might find a sleeper in Eastern Kentucky's Antwaun Molden (6-01/2, 198; 4.43), a nice combination of size and speed. A track athlete with a football mentality, Molden had one of the top workouts at the Combine but struggles with intricate coverage schemes.

Southern Cal's Terrell Thomas, Colorado's Terrence Wheatley and LSU's Chevis Jackson are all considered good values through the fourth round. Also worthy of strong consideration in the lower rounds are Wisconsin's Jack Ikegwuonu, Boise State's Orlando Scandrick, Connecticut's Tyvon Branch, Oklahoma's Marcus Walker and Boston College's DeJuan Tribble. Among the free safeties, Miami's Kenny Phillips (6-21/4, 212; 4.51) has the size and toughness and a good burst of speed to make an immediate impact with a pro team, and he's likely to be gone in the middle of the first round. California's Thomas DeCoud (6-11/4, 207; 4.54), North Carolina State's DaJuan Morgan (6-0, 205; 4.55), Texas-El Paso's Quintin Demps (5-111/2, 204, 4.55) and Alabama's Simeon Castille (6-01/4, 195; 4.71) all figure to be off the board when the NFL closes shop on the first day after the second round.

The crop is less plentiful for strong safeties.

Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski (5-11, 211; 4.52) is a four-year starter who became known for his physical play, especially in run support. But he doesn't figure to be a first-day selection, a distinction shared with Arizona State's Josh Barrett (6-13/4, 223; 4.36), Arkansas' Tyrell Johnson (5-113/4, 207; 4.43), Michigan's Jamar Adams (6-2, 212; 4.64) and LSU's Craig Steltz (6-11/4, 213; 4.63).

From New England colleges, Boston College's Jamie Silva (5-101/2, 204; 4.84) will get a look as a strong safety in the seventh round because of his 14 career interceptions. Potential priority free agents include a pair of Ivy League free safeties, Brown's Jose Yearwood and Yale's Nick Solakian.

SATURDAY: Linebackers.