New England Patriots NFL Draft Picks 2020: Round-by-Round Results, Grades
It's a new era in New England. The Patriots went 12–4 last season but underwent dramatic changes this winter when Tom Brady bolted to Tampa Bay in free agency.
New England could look to draft a quarterback, although the team still has Brady's backup Jarrett Stidham and recently signed Brian Hoyer. According to The MMQB's AFC East team needs, Georgia QB Jake Fromm could be a potential target for the Patriots, as he's equipped to handle their expansive playbook. New England will also be looking for linebackers to replace Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins and still needs a boost to its receiving corps.
Last year, the Patriots drafted WR N'Kneal Harry in the first round and added DL Chase Winovich, RB Damien Harris, Stidham and six other players in later rounds.
The Patriots are set to pick No. 23 in the first round of this year's draft. A full list of New England's picks will be updated below as the draft progresses.
You can follow along with PatriotsMaven's draft live blog.
Round 2, No. 37 overall: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
Andy Benoit's analysis: This one is a bit of a head-scratcher for the simple reason that the Patriots entered this draft with four quality safeties already: the recently re-signed Devin McCourty, do-it-all box player Patrick Chung, grossly underrated ex-Charger Adrian Phillips and the lesser-known Terrance Brooks, who performed nicely as Chung’s backup last season. All four are under contract through 2021. But few teams have made better use of diverse secondary talent, which is precisely what Dugger brings. He doesn’t fill a need, but there is no question he fits the scheme. Grade: C
Round 2, No. 60 overall: Josh Uche, OLB, Michigan
Andy Benoit's analysis: New England has a sound front seven given the context of their scheme, but it could stand to have more athleticism on the edges. The Patriots made a similar pick here last year, taking Uche’s former teammate, Chase Winovich, in Round 3. Don’t be surprised if those two are both on the field in obvious passing situations down the stretch this season. Grade: C+
Round 3, No. 87 overall: Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama
Andy Benoit's analysis: Just in case late second-rounder Josh Uche doesn’t deliver. You can afford to draft for depth when you have over a dozen picks. This particular pick is an excellent scheme fit; Jennings’s sound technique has earned him comparisons to Kyle Van Noy. Grade: B
Round 3, No. 91 overall: Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
Andy Benoit's analysis: Though not quite possessing ideal length, Asiasi intrigues as a route runner, particularly down the seams and on play-action—a tactic the Patriots, out of gap-scheme run looks, use a lot for feeding their tight end. Grade: B+
Round 3, No. 101 overall: Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
Andy Benoit's analysis: The Patriots appear to be drafting positions in pairs this year. That makes sense at tight end given that incumbents Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo are not surefire 40-snaps-a-game types. Grade: B
Round 5, No. 159 overall: Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall
Round 6, No. 182 overall: Mike Onwenu, G, Michigan
Round 6, No. 195 overall: Justin Herron, G, Wake Forest
Round 6, No. 204 overall: Cassh Maluia, LB, Wyoming
Round 7, No. 230 overall: Dustin Woodard, C, Memphis
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