The Patriots were having a typical and somewhat predictable start to their NFL Draft, selecting two areas of need on Friday night with their first pick. They picked up some much-needed depth with second-round Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones, then added a versatile guard/tackle in North Carolina State’s Joe Thuney.
And then, with the 91st pick around 11 p.m. Friday night, things got interesting.
The Patriots eschewed some of their other needs — mostly running back and defensive tackle – and addressed the most important position on the team. Yes, they took another quarterback.
This time it was Jacoby Brissett, a big (6 feet 4 inches, 235 pounds), strong-armed, athletic quarterback from N.C. State who started every game for the past two years after beginning his career at Florida. Brissett seemed to come up big in the Wolfpack’s most important games, throwing for 359 yards and four touchdowns in a duel with Jameis Winston and Florida State in 2014.
The quarterbacks always generate the most intrigue, and there’s a lot to parse through with the Patriots’ selection of Brissett in the third round. The Patriots took him just two years after taking Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round.
Advertisement
In 2014, the selection of Garoppolo was viewed as a possible sign of the end of Tom Brady’s tenure in New England. The Patriots, under Bill Belichick, had never drafted a quarterback as high as they did Garoppolo, and the pick was made right before Brady embarked on two of the greatest seasons of his career at ages 37 and 38 and won another Super Bowl.
Brissett likely won’t have any of those expectations. Brady just signed a new contract through the 2019 season, and while things can change from year to year, Brady is locked in as the starter for the next few years.
Advertisement
Of course, Brady likely is to serve a four-game suspension this fall for his role in Deflategate. So there will be a lot of talk about the Patriots preparing for the inevitable.
But Brady’s suspension is a short-term problem, and the Patriots always think long term. Brissett’s selection really is more about Garoppolo, and his future with the team.
Garoppolo’s contract is set to expire after 2017, a full two years before Brady’s. He is in line to start four games this fall, but then it’s back to the bench for Garoppolo, and he may not see another snap before he hits free agency.
So the Patriots are looking at a situation with Garoppolo similar to the one they faced with Ryan Mallett in 2014 – they’ll likely want to trade Garoppolo next offseason so they can recoup something from their investment. If they’re lucky, it will be a high pick, perhaps as high as a first-rounder.
Former Browns coach Mike Pettine acknowledged this week that the Browns’ coaches would have preferred to draft Garoppolo with the 22nd pick in 2014, not Johnny Manziel. If the Browns don’t show interest next offseason, the Patriots can try the Bears, 49ers or Cardinals, which will need to find new long-term quarterback solutions soon.
So now the Patriots have their next backup of the future. He’ll sign a contract through the 2019 season, same as Brady. He is considered a raw pocket passer, so 2016 will be a good chance for him to redshirt as the third stringer (once Brady comes back). And now the Patriots can focus next offseason on trading Garoppolo and not have to worry about their quarterback depth chart.
Advertisement
A few other thoughts on the Patriots’ picks:
■ The Patriots took Jones at No. 60 overall in the second round, filling an immediate need at cornerback. He gives the Patriots much better depth at cornerback, where they are thin behind starters Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan, who are also entering the final year of their contracts.
Jones can step in right away and serve as a slot cornerback. He’s undersized at 5-10 and 197 pounds, and he’s not the most experienced cornerback, playing only two seasons at the position after starting his college career at wide receiver, but he has elite quickness, great instincts and a love of the game, which is important to the Patriots. He’s also excellent in run support, which is important for cornerbacks in today’s NFL.
Given that the nickel package has basically become the base defense of the NFL, having cornerbacks who can tackle and provide support in the run game is essential.
How many other ways does Jones fit in as a Patriot? He fits in on special teams, which is essential. Jones was Alabama’s punt returner the last two years, and set a school record with four touchdowns last season. He rocked the three-cone drill at the Scouting Combine, clocking the sixth-fastest time (6.71). The Patriots love the three-cone drill, especially for quick change-of-direction positions such as cornerback.
Advertisement
And check out what one scout told NFL.com about Jones’s demeanor:
“He thinks everyone is always disrespecting him from media to the other team. I like him. You will never have to worry about his football character while he’s in the league.”
Is this guy a perfect Patriot, or what?
■ The Patriots filled another important need with Thuney, a versatile and smart offensive lineman. A three-year starter for the Wolfpack, Thuney started at right tackle, right guard and left tackle in 2013, started at left guard in 2014 and at left tackle in 2015.
Thuney said he sees himself as more of an interior player, but this is one guy you don’t have to lock into one spot. Plus, the Patriots don’t need Thuney to play right away, and can cross-train him to play several positions. Nate Solder and Sebasian Vollmer can hold down the tackle spots this season, and either Marcus Cannon or LaAdrian Waddle can serve as the primary backups while Thuney learns the system and puts on weight.
By 2017, at least one spot will open up for Thuney. It might be right tackle, as Vollmer is 32 and entering the last year of his deal. Or it might be one of the guard spots, as Josh Kline is in the last year of his contract and Cooper might not make the team this year.
■ And finally, the Patriots were able to fill their defensive tackle need with Nebraska’s Vincent Valentine at No. 96 overall, five picks after taking Brissett. He’s 6-4 and 330 pounds. Don’t expect him to be the next Vince Wilfork, but he can help clog the middle as the Patriots transition back to more of a 3-4 base defense.
Advertisement
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @BenVolin.