Ohio St. RB Chris "Beanie" Wells

connerman with the pick...

Before you cry foul, the bigger picture must be laid out. And it's easy to paint.

The Patriots have six first day picks (!) and, specifically, three second rounders coming up right after this pick. So while the collective brain trust online seems to point to some linebacking help - and certainly that's an obvious need for Bill Belichick's crew - there's an opportunity here that I can definitely see New England seizing.

Chris Wells.

If anyone looks the part of Adrian Peterson in this year's draft, it's Chris Wells. And while the Pats might have bigger needs elsewhere, they certainly can make up lost ground with so many picks on the way. Connor Barwin, Brian Cushing, Robert Ayers, Michael Johnson, Clay Matthews, James Laurinaitis, Larry English, Jarron Gilbert and Clint Sintim are all still on the board, so the Pats can afford to strike while the best running back in the draft is still available.

Sure, Belichick's offensive schemes make retread backs look great (Sammy Morris, anyone?). But it's clear Maroney wasn't the prime pick many thought he was and the Patriots continue to rely on older workhorses. It works, sure. But when an opportunity this perfect provides itself... well, this is why a team keeps so many draft picks handy to make sure it can maneuver as the draft falls and take advantage of what's there.

So if you're Bill Belichick and you can grab the top running back in the draft - one whose pure power and ability to break tackles can single-handedly change a game - and still hold five first day picks, you take that chance and you worry about bringing youth to the linebacking corps, defensive line and adding O-line depth later.

Previous pick: WR Hakeem Nicks

Read more: Scouting Report (Mocking the Draft)

On the clock for tomorrow: Atlanta Falcons (RedNose) and Miami Dolphins (schraggyj)

Click over for the schedule and current draft results.

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With six picks in the first three rounds (Rounds 1 and 2 are first day only now, right?), if I were New England, I would go Best Player Available. I really hate the Patriots getting such a good player with this pick, which means that it's probably a good one.