FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots wrapped up the smallest and arguably quietest NFL Draft in franchise history Saturday by picking up two more guys for the trenches.
After addressing their skill position needs through free agency and trades, the Patriots concentrated on their most pressing areas of need — depth on both lines.
New England selected defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. from Arkansas in the fourth round (No. 131 overall) and offensive tackle Conor McDermott from UCLA in the sixth round (No. 211 overall).
The Patriots traded up with the Cowboys for the McDermott slot, sending picks Nos. 216 and 239 to Dallas.
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Saturday’s picks mirrored Friday night’s moves when the Patriots went with defensive end (Derek Rivers) followed by offensive tackle (Antonio Garcia).
With just four selections, it was the smallest draft class in franchise history, fewer than in 2002 when the New England had six picks.
Wise is a 6-foot-5-inch, 271-pounder with really long (35 inches) and strong arms and massive hands. He has the power to swat blockers away in a flash and pursue the quarterback.
“He’s a guy we spent a lot of time with, brought him in for a visit, worked him out, did some different things with him . . . played in a good program,’’ said director of player personnel Nick Caserio.
Wise has good technique and burst off the snap and will get under opponents pads quickly and drive them back.
Wise had an exceptional junior season, collecting eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. His production slipped as a senior (3.5 sacks, 5.5 TFLs) as he dealt with hand and shoulder injuries, which may have contributed to him slipping down draft boards.
“It was tough to play with those injuries but I persevered through them,’’ said Wise, who indicated his performance at the East-West Shrine game, when he was completely healthy, was a truer indication of the type of player he is.
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“It was very important,’’ said Wise, who served as a Razorbacks captain. “I said that since I’m healthy, I want to show the world, the coaches, show people when I’m healthy, I can pretty much do what I did my junior year and show that same guy, which I think I did.’’
He comes from good bloodlines (his father was a Seahawks draft pick who played in the CFL) and has the physique to add size and strength, which will be a priority.
“He is the biggest influence in my life,’’ Wise said of his father. “He’s my best friend, my hero, my dad. He’s my physical, my mental, and my spiritual partner. He helps me with everything, whether it’s football, whether it’s not football, everything. He always taught me how to conduct myself and taught me the ins and outs of football.’’
Wise played with current Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers at Arkansas. Flowers is fresh off a breakout season in which he had seven sacks in the regular season and 2.5 in the Super Bowl.
“It was an older brother-type relationship. He was a mentor to me throughout his last three years and my first three years,’’ Wise said. “He taught me how to do certain things, taught me how to watch film, how to play certain positions and on top of all that just the mind-set you had to have to go into a game, to go into practice, to go into life. So, I had a great relationship with Trey and looking forward to meeting up there and working with him.’’
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Wise is the second defensive end the Patriots drafted in two days after grabbing Derek Rivers in the third round as they look to replace the production of Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard.
Wise has drawn comparisons to former Patriot edge rusher Chandler Jones.
“I’ve watched him a few times,’’ he said. “I was compared to him by a few people. We have similar body styles, similar playing styles. We have long arms and real good with our first step, great coming around the edge rushing the passer. He’s a relentless, aggressive player and I model my game similar to his.’’
McDermott is a mountain of a man at 6-8, 315 pounds, up from 300-305 he played at during the season and a far cry from the 235 he was as a “skinny tight end” as a matriculating freshman.
A former basketball standout (he was Mr. Basketball in Tennessee in 2011), McDermott is exceptionally athletic for his size and does a nice job sliding with, mirroring, and engulfing pass rushers.
McDermott, who said he worked with Garcia at the Senior Bowl, comes from good bloodlines as his brother Kevin was a long snapper with 49ers, Ravens, and Vikings. Conor said he was a long snapper in high school and can still handle it in a pinch.
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He started at left tackle for 12 games last season but has experience on both sides and as a blocking tight end. McDermott has studied Nate Solder, who took a similar path to Foxborough as a converted tight end.
McDermott, who said he’s looking forward to meeting fellow Tennessean Dont’a Hightower, said he did feel a little jumpy as the draft lingered into the sixth round.
“There’s always anxiety going through this draft process, especially with people I’ve talked to in the past,’’ said McDermott, who had a private workout with Patriots assistant coach Cole Popovich. “I just tried to focus on letting everything fall into place and it did and it’s unbelievable.”
The Patriots will now start filling the remaining 20 open spots on the roster with free agents and started the process shortly after the draft by inking BYU linebacker Harvey Langi, according to the Providence Journal. Langi is a 6-2, 251-pounder the team had in for a recent visit.
Additionally, the Kansas City Star reported that Missouri defensive tackle Josh Augusta will sign with the Patriots.
“We’re working through that process now,’’ said Caserio, without confirming any names or targets.
Watch: Ben Volin and Jim McBride break down the Patriots’ draft
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.