Vrabel trade increases need at linebacker

The Patriots, as reported today by NFL.com and The Boston Globe, have traded linebacker Mike Vrabel to Scott Pioli and the Kansas City Chiefs. There's no word yet on what the Patriots will receive for Vrabel, but given the way Bill Belichick values his veteran defensive players, you'd have to guess there's at least a third-round draft pick involved. Mike Reiss of the Globe already has speculated that the deal might -- might -- be part of a larger deal involving Matt Cassel.

Then again, after the signings of running back Fred Taylor and tight end Sam Baker, the Patriots might just have needed to clear salary-cap space.

What this means: The Patriots already had a definite need at linebacker. Jerod Mayo found spectacular success in his rookie season, but the late-season signings of Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin demonstrated how thin the Patriots' corps of linebackers had become.

Don Banks of SI.com already had the Patriots taking Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis with the No. 23 pick, but the deal for Vrabel might indicate that the Patriots are leaning toward taking more of a pass-rush specialist like USC's Clay Matthews, who generated quite a bit of momentum for himself at the recent combine. The Patriots already needed a pass-rusher to play opposite Adalius Thomas and provide insurance for Vrabel. Now, though, they'll need someone who can make a Mayo-type impact right away.