NFL rumors: Here's how many players Patriots have on 2019 draft board

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The New England Patriots usually have a small draft board, and apparently that hasn't changed despite the defending Super Bowl champions owning 12 picks (tied the for the most) in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports heard the Patriots' draft board is around 100 guys.

The first round of the draft is Thursday night in Nashville. 

The Patriots, barring some sort of trade, will close out Round 1 with the No. 32 pick.

New England's most pressing needs entering the draft are tight end, offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver. Quarterback is another intruiging area for the Patriots, who still don't have a legitimate successor for 41-year-old Tom Brady. However, taking a quarterback makes more sense for the Patriots on Day 2 of the draft when the second and third rounds take place.

Tight end arguably is the top need for the Patriots in the first round, but the two best players at the position -- Iowa's T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant -- aren't likely to still be available at No. 32. The Patriots reportedly will "seriously consider" making a trade to move up for Fant, though. 

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn't afraid of making multiple trades in one draft, so we shouldn't be surprised if he tries to make a move for a player he thinks can make an immediate impact in 2019. 

Click here for all the latest NFL Draft rumors entering Round 1>>>

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