When it comes to scouting wide receivers and defensive backs, the Patriots have traditionally put a lot of emphasis on the 3-cone drill. As opposed to the straight-line time displayed in the 40-yard dash, the 3-cone drill is a good way for a prospect to show agility and footwork -- an ability to fluidly change direction -- and differentiate him from another prospect who simply can move quickly in one direction.

To that end, lots of the relatively under-the-radar receivers (non first-rounders) the Patriots have targeted in recent years have excelled in the agility drills. Julian Edelman had a time of 6.62 seconds in the 3-cone drill as a collegian. Jeremy Ebert (a seventh-round pick in 2012) had a 6.7 before being taken by the Patriots last spring, which would have put him third among all receivers at the combine if he was invited last year. Deion Branch was 6.71 (at the 2002 combine), Chad Jackson was 6.74 (at the 2006 combine) and Wes Welker was 7.06. To give you some perspective, all of those performances -- other than Welker -- would have been in the top 10 at this year’s combine. (In that same vein, receiver Greg Salas -- who was a part of the Patriots for a portion of last season -- was eighth at the combine last year in the 3-cone with a 6.65.)

That also translates to the defensive side of the football, as Nate Ebner had a 6.59 time in the 3-cone as a collegian, and Devin McCourty’s 6.7 in the 3-cone drill at the 2010 combine put him second among all corners.

Ultimately, while it doesn't define a prospect in the eyes of the Patriots, it does show that he has the agility and quickness to at least have a shot in the New England system. With that in mind, here’s a look at the top-10 finishers in this year’s 3-cone drill:

1. Cornerback Will Davis (Utah State), 6.52

2. Wide receiver T.J. Moe (Missouri), 6.53

3. Free safety Josh Evans (Florida), 6.64

4. Wide receiver Marquess Wilson (Washington State), 6.65

5. Wide receiver Josh Boyce (TCU), 6.68

5. Strong safety Jawanza Starling (USC), 6:68

7. Running back Christine Michael (Texas A&M), 6.69

7. Cornerback Logan Ryan (Rutgers), 6.69

7. Quarterback Matt Scott (Arizona), 6.69

10. Cornerback Dwayne Gratz (UConn), 6.70

10. Running back Zac Stacy (Vanderbilt), 6.70

10. Defensive back D.J. Swearinger (South Carolina), 6.70

There are a few things that stand out about this list in relation to the Patriots:

• The 5-foot-11, 204-pound Moe is an undersized slot receiver in the Welker mold. While it appears the Patriots are set at slot receiver -- presuming Welker returns, they also have Ebert in the system. In addition, if Edelman returns, he could also fill that role. But Moe (who had 40 catches for 399 yards and one touchdown as a senior at Mizzou) impressed at the combine. He had the top 3-cone time among the receivers, and also had the best time in the 20-yard shuttle (3.96). He added a 10.87 in the 60-yard shuttle, which also was the top time, and had maybe the sweetest catch of the weekend. Likely a mid- to late-round draftee at this point.

• Swearinger’s name keeps coming up in connection with the Patriots. The versatility (he’s played both corner and safety over the course of his college career at South Carolina) his physicality and his familiarity with the Patriots certainly means he’s on New England radar screen. “I like the New England style of defense and I like coach Belichick and how he does things and how disciplined he is,” the 5-foot-10, 208-pound Swearinger said at the combine. “They win championships, and I think I can help them be a part of that.” He’s been up and down on many draft boards, but the consensus seems to be he’s a top-50 pick, at least at this point, which would mean he could be available to the Patriots at No. 29. (He was also one of the top performers in the 20-yard shuttle, finishing seventh overall with a time of 4.11) He was a four-year starter for Steve Spurrier, and had six picks and 16 passes broken up at USC.

• While there was a lot of talk about Florida safety Matt Elam being a possible fit with the Patriots, Evans could also be a possibility. The 6-foot-1, 201-pounder had three picks on the season and added one of the best 3-cone times at the combine, to go along with a sixth-place finish overall in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.10.

• If you’ve plucked a pretty good apple, where do you go if you want to get another one? To the same tree. The Patriots could use that sort of thinking when it comes to Logan Ryan, a cornerback out of Rutgers. He posted an impressive time in the 3-cone, and his pedigree will be good enough to get him noticed -- he was the guy who replaced Devin McCourty at Rutgers. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder is a big, physical presence at corner -- he had four picks last season for the Scarlet Knights -- but currently projects as a second-day possibility.