FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots took a versatile defender with the 97th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
The Patriots grabbed Oklahoma’s Geneo Grissom, who played outside linebacker, defensive end and tight end during his four-year college career.
Grissom ran a 4.81-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6-foot-3, 262 pounds. He ran a 7.24-second three-cone drill and a 4.38-second short shuttle, and added a 9-foot, 9-inch broad jump and 37-inch vertical leap.
Grissom had 89 tackles (17 for loss) and eight sacks during his career with the Sooners. He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and eight pass breakups.
Grissom played defensive end in 2011 and 2013, defensive end and tight end in 2012, and linebacker in 2014, when he started 10 games for the Sooners. He missed the last three games of the 2014 season with a sprained MCL.
An AFC North scout told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein that Grissom projects as a strong-side defensive end who can rush the passer from defensive tackle on third downs.
Grissom was projected as a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick by NFL.com.
Thumbnail photo via Steven Branscombe/USA TODAY Sports Images
