The New England Patriots entered the 3rd round of today’s draft with four picks but at the end they only selected two players because of trades.
They traded their first pick in the 3rd round (73) to the Jacksonville Jaguars for their 2009 7th round pick (232) and a 2010 2nd round pick.
With the 83rd pick (19th in the 3rd Round), the Patriots took wide receiver Brandon Tate from North Carolina. Tate missed the latter part of the 2008 season with some torn knee ligaments but should be ready to compete for a position on the Patriots. Tate could also help out on special teams as a returner.
The Patriots then picked up another 2nd round pick in 2010 when they traded their 3rd round pick (89th overall) to the Tennessee Titans. They now have 3 picks in the 2nd round of next year’s draft.
The final pick for the Patriots in the 3rd round (97th overall) was a compensatory pick and couldn’t be traded. They used that pick to take outside linebacker Tyrone McKenzie from the South Florida Bulls.
The Patriots won’t pick again until the end of the 5th round unless a trade is made.
