Patriots still do their thing
The defending champs did not have a selection in the first two rounds after picking up some tremendous veteran talent in trades earlier in the offseason. But true to Patriots form, Bill Belichick and Co. absolutely aced the picks they had.
It started with former Youngstown State star Derek Rivers in the third round. Here’s a player I had mocked to Atlanta in the first round. At 6-foot-4 and 248, he’s a massive option out on the edge. Rivers fits the Patriots’ hybrid defensive front to a T. He can play out on the edge in passing situations and can move inside in sub packages. It’s the type of flexibility New England has valued during its championship run.
Staying true to form when it comes to both value and need, New England then added former Troy guard Antonio Garcia in a trade later in the third round. A left tackle by trade, Garcia was bandied about as a potential second-round pick as the draft approached. Despite less-than-stellar competition in college, he translates extremely well to the pros. In fact, Garcia could start his career at right tackle before eventually moving to Tom Brady’s blindside. That’s great value late in Day 2.