Pats picks get defensive
Saturday, April 27, 2013
One for the defense, and another for the offense.
That's what the Patriots came up with in the 2nd round of the 2013 NFL Draft, with their two selections in the round. After trading down and dealing their first round pick late Thursday night to Minnesota, New England selected for the first time in draft at #52 overall, and took outside linebacker/defensive end Jamie Collins from Southern Mississippi. Collins is cut from the Jermaine Cunningham mold (although they'll hope for a better result here), at 6-3 and 250 pounds with a 4.64 time in the 40-yard dash.
In his final season at Southern Miss, Collins picked up 10 QB sacks and forced four fumbles. He's considered a great overall athlete with speed and agility to turn a corner on linemen, but also with the ability to drop back in coverage. Collins also possesses a 41.5 inch vertical leap.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
With the second of the 2nd round picks, at #59 overall, the Patriots turned to the offense and selected Marshall WR Aaron Dobson. Projected as an outside receiver, Dobson is a bigger target at 6-2, 210 pounds, and was a team captain for the Thundering Herd - a quality the Patriots really go after in terms of leadership. Dobson caught 57 passes for 679 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games last season for the Herd.
In the 3rd round, the Patriots furthered their Rutgers connections by selecting two defensive backs out of the Scarlet Knights' program - cornerback Logan Ryan with the 83rd pick and safety Duron Harmon at #91 overall. The two will join former RU teammates Devin McCourty and Justin Francis on the roster to start the season.
The Patriots will conclude the draft with a 4th rounder Saturday, followed by three picks in the 7th and final round.
