FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots might have found the next Julian Edelman in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Patriots selected Arkansas tight end A.J. Derby, who began his college career as a quarterback before moving to tight end for his senior season.
Derby ran a 4.72-second 40-yard dash at his pro day with a 6.99-second 3-cone drill and 4.51-second short shuttle. He caught 22 passes for 303 yards with three touchdowns in 2014, his lone season as a receiver.
Derby began his career at Iowa as a quarterback before transferring to Coffeyville Community College in 2012 and Arkansas in 2013.
Derby’s father, John, played in the NFL as a linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns. He spent one training camp playing under Patriots head coach Bill Belichick with the Browns.
Thumbnail photo via John Reed/USA TODAY Sports Images
