Patriots Draft Ohio State DB Nate Ebner With Pick No. 197 In Sixth Round
BOSTON (CBS) -- Just two spots ahead of the famed draft position of Tom Brady, the Patriots used pick No. 197 in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Ohio State defensive back Nate Ebner.
The 6-foot, 205-pounder joined the Buckeyes as a walk-on in 2009. As a senior last year, he recorded 11 tackles and one sack in seven games. He is a former rugby player who converted to football, and the Ohio State website describes him as "diligent in the weight room ... tough, physical and determined." He contributed most on special teams.
The Patriots had acquired the pick earlier in the day from the Packers, sending pick No. 163 to Green Bay in exchange for picks No. 197, 224 and 235.
The pick remains consistent with the Patriots' other four picks this year, all of whome -- Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Tavon Wilson and Jake Bequette -- play defense.
