Patriots NFL Draft Live Blog: Pats Draft 9 Players In 2016 Draft
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's Day 3 of the NFL Draft! Follow all the moves by the New England Patriots below:
5:59 p.m.: Here are the nine new members of the Patriots:
CB Cyrus Jones, Alabama (2nd round, 60th overall)
OL Joe Thuney, NC State (3rd round, 78th overall)
QB Jacoby Brissett, NC State (3rd round, 91st overall)
NT Vincent Valentine, Nebraska (3rd round, 96th overall)
WR Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia (4th round, 112th overall)
DB/LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, Eastern Illinois (6th round, 208th overall)
LB Elandon Roberts, Houston (6th round, 214 overall)
G Ted Karras, Illinois (6th round, 221 overall)
WR Devin Lucien, Arizona State (7th round, 225th overall)
You're probably wondering why there are no running backs on that list. It was an area of need for the Patriots entering the draft, so we'll see if they can snag an undrafted free agent over the next 24 hours.
5:39 p.m.: With their final (scheduled) pick of the draft, the Patriots selected wide receiver Devin Lucien from Arizona State.
He's said to have some of the best hands in the draft with just two drops over his last two seasons and good play-making abilities after the catch. The knocks on Lucien include sub-par speed and not enough physicality at the line of scrimmage.
Bill Belichick will address the media when the draft is over, and we'll be breaking down all of the selections throughout the night, so stick with CBSBostonsports.com for all the latest on the newest members of the Patriots!
5:30 p.m.: The Patriots go back to the offensive line with their final pick in the sixth round, drafting guard Ted Karras out of Illinois with pick No. 221.
Here's the good and the bad on Karras from NFL.com:
STRENGTHS
Four-year starter at right guard. Uses brute upper body strength to get defenders turned and sealed. Drops a hammer on down blocks to knock running lanes open. Effective power in small spaces. Adequate hand placement, but generally keeps them inside. Gritty demeanor on the field. Quality pass sets with a heavy-handed punch. Rare football lineage as the seventh member of the Karras family to play in the Big Ten. Intensity on game day is legendary. Penalized just twice over the last two seasons. Decent body control.
WEAKNESSES
Plays with stiffness in his lower half, and his lack of functional knee bend will always limit his leverage and blocking range. Usually not the low man as base blocker. Unable to sit down and change directions effectively in space. Execution of second level blocks is below par. Has issues sustaining blocks when moving laterally. Susceptible to an occasional bull rush.
Sounds like another project for Dante! The Patriots also have the 225th overall pick coming up -- their final pick of the draft.
5:19 p.m.: With the 214th overall pick the Patriots selected linebacker Elandon Roberts out of Houston.
Here is Roberts' draft card via NFL.com:
STRENGTHS
A coach's dream. Tremendous leader on the field and off. Worked all offseason to loosen his hips and improve his flexibility. Loves to hit and has a nose for the ball. Instinctive with an uncanny ability to consistently sniff out the best path to the ball. Lives on a downhill track and makes high percentage of tackles near line of scrimmage. Chest-up, wrap-up tackler. Has heart for days. Square in his scrapes and mirrors running backs effectively.
WEAKNESSES
Not a natural knee bender. Struggles badly with change of direction. Slow to accelerate when asked to stop and start. Below average speed and won't win many races to the edge. Lacks athletic talent to cover in space. Poor ball skills. Missed numerous interception opportunities due to poor hands.
The Patriots are always looking for smart football players, and it sounds like Roberts fits that mold.
5:02 p.m: The Patriots used their first of three compensatory picks to draft Kamu Grugier-Hill, a defensive back/linebacker out of Eastern Illinois.
Scouts list him as an extremely athletic safety/linebacker, so he has the versatility that the Patriots love. At 6-foot-2, 210-pounds he could also find a role on the New England special teams.
Having another former Panther on the team will probably make Jimmy Garoppolo very happy as well.
Don't go far: the Pats have picks 214 and 221 coming up.
3:56 p.m.: The Baltimore Ravens selected Navy running back Keenan Reynolds with the 182nd overall pick. Reynolds had been heavily discussed as a potential selection by the Patriots at some point in the later rounds of the draft.
3:17 p.m.: In a Q&A with reporters at the draft, drafted Patriots receiver Malcolm Mitchell said he's "thankful" for the opportunity to play for New England and wants to show them that "they made a good decision" to draft him.
2:51 p.m.: Here is a transcript with the Patriots' third-round selection, guard Joe Thuney...
Q: What position do you identify yourself with? What position do you think you're going to play in the NFL?
JT: I think I see myself as more of an interior guy: more as guard, center. If it gets to a pinch in the game, I can go at tackle but it's really wherever coach wants me to play. And I have experience at all five so wherever he sees me best, I think that's the best fit for me.
Q: Why do you see yourself as a fit as a guard?
JT: Just on the interior, I feel more comfortable. I don't have the typical length of a typical NFL tackle but I feel like I move and pull and have the leverage on the interior.
Q: When did you realize that you were probably going to play on the inside?
JT: Well, throughout college I've always been open to whatever position the coaches needed. I've never had a set position in mind. As the process has gone on further and further, I've kind of realized where my strengths lie as a player and I think that the interior probably is where the coaches see that.
Q: How important to you was it to be able to play whatever position the coaches needed?
JT: It was really important – whatever the coach needed of me. They would text me the week before a game asking to play this position and whatever gave us the best chance to win is what I was willing to do. That's all that really matters, is winning.
Q: How do you feel about competing for a job up here in New England? It could be difficult to get on the field. What are your thoughts on that?
JT: Yeah, that's why I love to compete. The Patriots are a tremendous organization, one of the best in the NFL. I couldn't be prouder to get drafted by them. All I can do is just go in there and work my hardest and see what happens.
Q: Did you have any contact with Dante Scarnecchia during the draft process?
JT: Yeah, he came to my pro day and we sat down before and went over some film and board stuff and went over some plays and hashed that out. He worked me out with the different drills. I have a really good relationship with him, I think, and we got along well, and I'm going to be happy to play for him.
Q: He's known to be tough on his players. Did you get that vibe?
JT: The first thing I noticed was just that he's very passionate. I have to respect that. I love that about a coach, he's just very passionate about his players and the game of football. I really respond to that and I really look forward to working with him in the future.
Q: You graduated before your junior year so what have you been doing with all of your free time?
JT: I graduated with a degree in accounting in 2014. Then for the past year and a half, I've been working towards another degree in international studies and a minor in Spanish. I just wanted to expand my studies and explore everything that college had to offer.
Q: What are you hoping to use your education for after your NFL career?
JT: The NFL, you can't play in there for 40 years. You have to have a life after the NFL eventually. I'd love to be able to travel and work at the same time. I love seeing different parts of the world. I think if you could combine work with travel, it would be great.
Q: Have the Patriots indicated what position they'd like you to play?
JT: They have not. Just going in there with an open mind and hoping for the best.
Q: How do you think playing in the ACC prepares you for the NFL?
JT: I think the defensive lines you play each week in the ACC has prepared us. Shaq Lawson got drafted in the first round, Sheldon Rankins from Louisville, Florida State always has a really good, athletic defensive line. I think it prepares you really well just to see the competition and that caliber of players to compete against.
Q: Some veteran offensive linemen say you have to have a nasty side to be good. Do you have that?
JT: I think so, yes sir. I take pride in being a physical player and I'll play up to the whistle. I give everything that I have so I definitely think that I do.
Q: Is there a position you're more comfortable with, or that you prefer playing?
JT: Really no. I don't have one position in mind. Like I said, I've played all five and I feel really comfortable anywhere but I probably specialize in the interior.
Q: Do you think it's a drawback having played as many position as you played?
JT: I don't think it's a drawback. I think it just shows versatility. Football is an intense game and you never know when you have to switch from right guard to left guard, or center to guard or guard to center. I think it's an advantage to have experience at all five positions. We practice a lot so there is plenty of time to hone our technique and do the best that we can at each position. I think that it was a plus.
Q: The Patriots just drafted Jacoby Brissett. What can you tell us about him?
JT: No way. That's awesome. Great leader, great teammate, loved playing for the guy. He did a really good job at NC State, and I couldn't be happier to hear that news.
Q: How do you pronounce your last name?
JT: Thuney, the "H" is silent.
Q: Did you learn anything from your time with Brissett that makes you think that he will succeed as an NFL quarterback?
JT: He was always putting in extra time in the film room. He was there before practice, always before anyone else. He just is always so enthusiastic and always optimistic and positive. It was fun to play for him and he just exuded confidence.
Q: What was Brissett like in the huddle?
JT: He's very confident. He is very assured. Even if it's a bad play [inaudible], we had a 40-yard pass play, he's very level-headed, even keeled. You know what you are going to get from him, and just a great guy to play with.
2:33 p.m.: The Patriots broke down their four remaining picks in rounds 6-7.
2:21 p.m.: Patriots trade 147th and 243rd overall picks to the Seattle Seahawks for the 225th overall pick and a fourth-round pick in 2017.
2:00 p.m.: The Patriots have traded two sixth round picks and a seventh round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the 147th overall pick in the draft.
1:14 p.m.: Newly drafted Patriots receiver Malcolm Mitchell is a published children's book author.
1:01 p.m.: ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss breaks down the players the Patriots' ultimate acquisitions in the Chandler Jones trade:
12:48 p.m.: The Patriots have selected wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell out of Georgia with the 112th pick in the draft.
12:38 p.m.: Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio told reporters Friday night that the Patriots are scouting 2017 draft prospects "as we speak" and may not make all eight of their selections on day 3.
Here are the Patriots' picks for Day 3:
– Fourth round -- No. 112 overall (acquired from New Orleans for 61st pick)
-- Sixth round — No. 196 overall (acquired from Houston in Keshawn Martin trade)
– Sixth round — No. 204 overall (acquired from Chicago in Martellus Bennett trade)
– Sixth round — No. 208 overall (compensatory pick)
– Sixth round — No. 214 overall (compensatory pick)
– Sixth round — No. 221 overall (compensatory pick)
– Seventh round — No. 243 overall (acquired from Houston in Ryan Mallett trade)
– Seventh round — No. 250 overall
