mgt,
Please review your Belichick history. He seldom has had a great CB; and let the good one go, when he wanted too much money.
On the other hand, he has almost always had a superior set of Safeties, in his entire tenure with the Patriots. I think he prizes excellent S play over great CB play.
If anything BB seems to prefer LOTS of above average CBs, in contrast to one or two great ones. It is probably even more true today with the widespread adoption of the Pats "Spread Offense". You need four or five good ones or you will get eaten alive. I think he thinks he is almost there, merely needing some experience for the newcomers. Hobbs, Wheatly, Wilhite and O'Neal, with Sanders, Richardson et al, in reserve is not full of HOF CBs, but all seem somewhat serviceable, even end of roster guys like Richardson.
I know all want to dump on Deltha O'Neal, but it is an entirely different thing to be matched up on the opponent's #1, as O'Neal did in his salad pro-bowl days; and lining up to shut down the #4 WR from the opponent's roster. He should do that in his sleep, (Sleep-walking what many accuse him of doing!)
There are not a lot of high CB talents there this year, but several 3-4 rounders. I imagine that is where Belerio will look for one.
I think that there are only a couple of Safeties in this draft, now that Mays and Rolle are not there; and a lot of earnest, very slow ones, like Nic Harris. Unless there are Combine miracle performances in the 40, the situation is that the Pats get one high; or draft suspects day two and hope.
Do you agree?