Bill Belichick met with the press Wednesday in his annual pre-draft press conference and, as usual, didn't shed a whole lot of light on what the team will do.

The Patriots have the seventh pick in the draft, courtesy of a trade with San Francisco last year. They, of course, lost their own first round pick as a penalty for illegally videotaping opposing assistant coaches from the sidelines.

Belichick noted that the team is still bringing in some players for visits and that they are still looking at all prospects. "Hopefully we'll be in a position to to make some good decisions to try to improve on our football team next week.''

The draft is held April 26-27.

Asked about the linebacking and cornerback prospects in this draft – two positions the Patriots need to fill – Belichick said the linebackers are as deep as they have been the last couple of years while the cornerbacks are probably a little deeper. "Whether they'll be able to perform at the NFL level, we'll see,'' he said.

Asked about the perception that teams are trying to trade out of the top of the draft – because of a lack of a consensus No.1 pick and the financial implications of picking high – Belichick compared this draft field to 1991. He called Russell Maryland a surprise No.1 pick and that many of the second rounders went on to have better careers.

Overall, he said, "We've got a handful of guys that we're considering and maybe they'll be there.''

The press conference ended on a light note: nose tackle Vince Wilfork walked into the media room and someone asked Belichick if he might take one of the top-rated defensive tackles to push Wilfork.

"That's something we're looking very closely at. Very closely,'' said Belichick, prompting a laugh from everyone.

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