The Patriots addressed yet another need with their third pick on Friday night.
With their first pick in the third round (83rd overall), the Patriots drafted Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan.
Ryan is the third player the Patriots selected in this year’s draft. They added a good edge rusher and coverage linebacker at No. 52 with linebacker Jamie Collins. Then they addressed the need at wide receiver with wideout Aaron Dobson.
Ryan isn’t the most physically appealing defensive back, measuring in at 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, but he does have good speed and quickness. He ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and blazed through the Patriots’ ever-coveted three-cone drill in just 6.69 seconds — second only to Utah State corner Will Davis at the combine.
He didn’t have much of an impact at Rutgers until his junior season, but once he hit the field there was an immediate impact. In 2011, Ryan recorded 67 tackles, two forced fumbles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions on his way to an first-team All-Big East selection. He followed that up with an even better senior season, including 94 tackles, 17 pass breakups and four picks.
He plays really well in zone coverages, which fits in well with the Patriots’ general defensive scheme, but he struggles in man-to-man. His biggest flaw is that he gets flagged a little too often with pass-interference penalties. He has good anticipation of the ball, but sometimes just gets a little bit antsy. But, overall, a very good depth option for the Patriots.
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Photo via College Press Box
