The Patriots drafted Georgia Tech’s Jemea Thomas No. 206 overall Saturday. Thomas also played safety at Georgia Tech, where he was a four-year starter.
Thomas was productive during his four-year college career, recording 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and nine interceptions. Thomas also was used as a returner and in special-teams coverage units.
Thomas ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and had a 10-foot-4 broad jump and 37-inch vertical leap. He ran a 7.03-second three-cone and 4.25-second short shuttle at his pro day in March.
The 5-foot-9, 192-pound defensive back is an option for the fifth cornerback spot on the Patriots’ roster until Brandon Browner returns from a four-game suspension to begin the 2014 season. Thomas likely will compete with 2013 undrafted free agent Justin Green for a roster spot.