Night two didn’t bring any additions to the receiving group like many of us, including myself, may have hoped for. But, the Patriots managed to get consensus top defensive tackle in the entire draft, along with an intriguing edge rusher.
Pick 38 – DT Christian Barmore
A trade-up with the Bengals early on last night gave the Patriots the chance to land their second-straight Alabama prospect of the draft. Christian Barmore is a big, disruptive tackle who was at the top of his position in this years class.
Noel wrote about Barmore in his pre-draft DT primer – “Explosive, bully to blockers, finds the ball, quick, impressive production within the SEC. Needs to be better conditioned. Versatile. The best pass-rushing DT in the draft class. Can struggle in the run game.”
Eight sacks last season from the DT position in the SEC is impressive, questions will be about how he can support the run defense, something which the Patriots struggled with last season.
Pick 96 – DE Ronnie Perkins
A long wait ensued as the Patriots didn’t make any movements until their next pick at 96. The pick was actually a compensatory pick for the loss of Tom Brady to free agency last year.
With it, they chose edge rusher, Ronnie Perkins, out of Oklahoma. The first thing word that comes to mind is motor, he is aggressive off the line has had 16.5 sacks in 3 seasons for the Sooners.
I would have personally liked a WR in the second/third round, but, I can’t overlook that all three positions taken were that of need. So, let’s see what the final day brings!
