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Hard to ignore the numbers of where the Patriots like to throw the ball, and how they sputter when teams are able to take that area of the field away.

And how about those numbers behind the LOS?! Why isn’t anyone talking about a field shortener to help those numbers out?

Aside from all the things we’ll be told the Patriots need to do this off-season or players that they should pursue, the simple fact is that with Josh McDaniels back in the fold the Patriots offense will evolve in 2012.

No one can say how exactly, but McDaniels is a creative mind, and he knows that the book is out on this latest Patriots offensive incarnation. There are a lot of pieces to play with, especially with two tight ends who can line up anywhere and do anything.

I expect objective one after bringing back Welker is to upgrade Branch. I like the Brandon Lloyd fit, but as always there are a lot of moving pieces there that would need to come together.

As we continue to formulate our 2012 Patriots-only Big Board (we’re up to 21 players) we’ll share occasional mock drafts to give a better sense of the general consensus out there.

Fletcher Cox is a player that is quickly becoming this year’s draft boo of Patriots Nation. It seems like he would fit some needs and has the versatility that the Patriots require of a first round pick.

27. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Cox will appeal to Bill Belichick for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the 6-4, 295-pound junior is just scratching the surface of his potential. And make no mistake, the potential is there for Cox to be a star. The Bulldog defensive tackle earned the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week four times this season and is highly regarded by scouts because of his size, strength and ability to play inside or out in multiple fronts. That type of versatility will also certainly intrigue Belichick.

31. Nick Perry, DE, Southern California: Some teams are hesitant to grade Perry as a first-round prospect due to the fact that he elected to leave USC after just one highly productive season. He led the Pac-12 with 9.5 sacks in a breakout junior campaign. There are scouts who do believe he’s just scratching the surface of his potential and others who like him best as a defensive end rather than an outside linebacker in the 3-4. For Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Perry would likely be asked to play both positions.