2020 NFL Draft Grades: New England Patriots

Third Round

The Patriots doubled up on EDGE players by nabbing Alabama’s Anfernee Jennings here. The Nick Saban – Bill Belichick connection continues.

Jennings, like Uche, should find the field early, and they may be used in place of one another in that rotation. At Alabama in 2019, Jennings was a first-team All-SEC selection,leading the Crimson Tide with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks. New England likely views Jennings as their next Kyle Van Noy, and that is the role he will likely fill right away in 2020.

Tight end was a clear position of need for the Patriots heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

The team went ahead and drafted Devin Asiasi from UCLA, who could be their starter in Week 1. The chemistry will continue with this pick too, as Asiasi played a season at Michigan before transferring to be closer to home. He was teammates with Winovich and Uche, and lived with Uche as a roommate as well.

On the field, Asiasi started 12 games and logged 44 receptions for 641 yards and four touchdowns last season. He has big play ability as 13 of his catches went for over 20 yards.

“This kid’s got good size [6-foot-3, 257 pounds], runs well for his size, and is pretty tough. He’s got some technique things that he can certainly work on, as an on-the-line scrimmage blocker,” said Nick Caserio.

It seems like Asiasi was not the top tight end on many boards, so this does feel like a slight reach.

Tight end remained a position of need in the Patriots’ eyes, as they again traded up to select Dalton Keene. That seems like an extreme reach, as he has plenty to work on. He is more of an H than a Y at the position, and that versatility is likely what drew New England to him.

As a junior, Keene caught 21 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns. He actually was used in the running game as well.

While Asiasi may be more of the in-line tight end, Keene will be the player that gets split out wide and used all over as a receiving threat.