After sitting out the first round, the New England Patriots made their first selection of the 2016 NFL draft at 60th overall, taking cornerback Cyrus Jones out of Alabama. The Pats then flipped pick #61 for picks #78 and #112 to round out the gaps in their selections.
Most Patriots draft pundits were circling Jones this offseason, as he fits what the team wants out of their cornerbacks now — ability to play physical press man, good against the run, and also brings special teams experience as an excellent returner, with four punt returns for touchdowns this past season. He was formerly a wide receiver so he has skills to make plays on the ball which is always a plus in forcing turnovers, he also defended 20 passes over the last two seasons.
He’s only 5′ 10″, so it’s likely he’ll be a slot corner, and steps into competition with Justin Coleman, who performed well in that spot as a rookie. The big question is whether or not he could play outside, because the need for an outside starter next season (if Logan Ryan departs) could be significant. On the surface it doesn’t look like Jones will fit that potential need, which was why many (not me) were banging the cornerback drum as a major need.
I think this pick was a bit of a reach at this spot and I made no secret I far preferred to take an offensive tackle or defensive tackle here in the second round. Cornerback could be a need in 2017, but this is just could end up being a pick redundant to what the Pats got out of Coleman last season.
But Jones’ fit with the Patriots was obvious to everyone despite his limitations and any lack of perceived value at this spot, and I did indeed have him on my Top-50 big board, so we’re off to a pretty good start. The hope has to be that he upgrades Coleman immediately, but it will be up to training camp competition to determine that. Sounds like Jones will come in and compete hard, so you have to like that.