QB - Tom Brady (99); Ryan Mallet (81)
RB - Shane Vereen (82); Danny Woodhead (81); Stevan Ridley (77)
FB - Mitch Richards (2011 UDFA; 85)
WR - Wes Welker (95); Chad Ochocinco (81); Laurent Robinson (68); Jason Whittaker (2011 3rd round pick; 65); Taylor Price (63)
TE - Rob Gronkowski (93); Dean Stephens (2011 UDFA, 74); Ben Watson (2013 free agent signing; 78)
LT - Nate Solder (84)
LG - Marlin Carter (2012 2nd round draft pick; 82)
C - Dan Koppen (81)
RG - Matt Light (80)
RT - Sebastian Vollmer (78)
LE - Terrance Bynes
RE - Marcus Stroud (68)
DT - Vince Wilfork (96); Brent Salom (2013 1st round draft pick; 76)
LOLB - Rob Nikovich (74); Zach Kavofaulus (2013 4th round draft pick; 72)
MLB - Jerod Mayo (94); Brandon Spikes (84); Mason Nixon (2013 2nd round draft pick; 76)
ROLB - Jermaine Cunningham (83)
CB - Devin McCourty (93); Ras-I Dowling (88); Leigh Bodden (74); Terrance Newman (2013 free agent signing; 73); Kyle Arrington (72)
FS - Rahim Moore (85)
SS - Brandon Collins (2011 UDFA, 76); Dejon Gomes (2013 5th round draft pick; 74)
Looking at the Patriots 2013 starting lineup, it's hard not to notice the absence of many of the team's former superstars that led them to previous Super Bowls (Aaron Hernandez, Patrick Chung, Julian Edleman, Logan Mankins). But after experiencing a poor draft in 2012 where the UDFAs (Dean Stephens, Mitch Richards, Brandon Collins) made more of an impact than the drafted rookies (save for LG Marlin Carter), the Patriots struck gold with their selections in the 2013 draft (albeit coupled with lackluster 2013 UDFAs). The timing of this good draft couldn't be better, though. After losing so many stars to free agency, the 2013 draft helps the Patriots rebuild while remaining viable, although not as good, in the short-term.
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