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New England Patriots full 2016 NFL Draft picks

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Jacoby Brissett of North Carolina State (12) throws a pass against the defense during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Jacoby Brissett of North Carolina State (12) throws a pass against the defense during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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A look at who the New England Patriots selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The 2016 NFL Draft has wrapped up with seven rounds of players being selected having come and gone. They are seen as the future of the NFL and could provide an impact.

The New England Patriots are always interesting to follow in the draft. They are usually one of the most active teams, trading up and down multiple times. Some of their picks can be curious as well. This was the case again in 2016.

Here is a look at who the Patriots selected in the draft.

  • Round 2 (60) – Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama
  • Round 3 (78) – Joe Thuney, OG, North Carolina State
  • Round 3 (91) – Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State
  • Round 3 (96) – Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska
  • Round 4 (112) – Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
  • Round 6 (208) – Kamu Grugier-Hill, OLB, Eastern Illinois
  • Round 6 (214) – Elandon Roberts, ILB, Houston
  • Round 6 (221) – Ted Karras, OG, Illinois
  • Round 7 (225) – Devin Lucien, WR, Arizona State

After losing multiple defensive backs over the past few years, this became a need for the Patriots. Selecting Jones from Alabama should give the Patriots a great presence in the secondary as he has great ball skills. This is a trait that almost all New England secondary players seem to have.

The other pick that stands out is the selection of quarterback Jacoby Brissett from NC State. There wasn’t a big need for the Patriots to select another signal caller, but with Tom Brady suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season, maybe they felt a need to have another option.

Brissett may have been necessary, though. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has his contract expiring after next season and with Brady’s deal locked up, the former Eastern Illinois player may go. Teams have always looked to scoop up and start Patriot backups (Ryan Mallett, Matt Cassell, Brian Hoyer), so Garoppolo might go. Brissett could then learn under Brady and may be the guy who eventually takes over due to his age (will be 39 at the start of the season).

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