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Patriots fill three immediate needs on Day 2 of NFL Draft

New England drafted cornerback, offensive line, and guard/tackle help and also picked up a quarterback.

From left: Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, defensive lineman Vincent Valentine, offensive lineman Joe Thuney, and cornerback Cyrus Jones.Associated Press photos/Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH — Cyrus Jones is a cornerback by trade and a film buff by hobby. Both of those descriptions are just fine with the Patriots.

After waiting more than 24 hours to get a chance to jump into the draft pool party, the Patriots made an unexpected splash Friday night by selecting Jones with their first pick — No. 60 overall — in the second round.

Though New England was supposed to pick again at No. 61, it was traded to New Orleans for an additional third-round pick (No. 78 overall) — giving the Patriots three in that round and a fourth-round pick (No. 112 overall). The trade closed the 100-pick gap New England had between Nos. 96 and 196.

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The Patriots grabbed guard Joe Thuney with the added third rounder. Thuney is a 6-foot-5-inch, 304-pounder from North Carolina State.

Perhaps the biggest splash came moments later when New England selected quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Thuney’s teammate at N.C. State.

“Did they?’’ asked Thuney. “That’s great. I loved playing for him.’’

With their final pick of the night, the Patriots grabbed Nebraska nose tackle Vincent Valentine, a 6-4, 329-pounder.

Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said there were discussions about moving up in the draft but ultimately the team stood pat at 60.

“It was something that we explored but it just never came to fruition,’’ he said. “We looked at everything — going up, going down.’’

Additionally, Caserio said trying to get into Thursday’s first round would have proven too costly, though possibilities were explored.

“It would have been a long way to go to do that, you’d have to give up quite a fair amount,’’ he said. “We kind of went through the process like we normally would — it’s good for our whole staff just to kind of go through the process to stay up on the trades and what was happening with the draft but in the end we didn’t think it made a whole lot of sense. There was a whole lot of capital that would have had to have been involved.’’

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Caserio also indicated Tom Brady’s situation didn’t factor into the decision to pluck Brissett.

“The whole quarterback position, you know, we only had two on the team, so we were definitely going to add a third quarterback no question about it, whether it was in the draft or however we did it,’’ he said.

The physically gifted Jones gave a glimpse Friday night of why the Patriots had so much interest in selecting him.

“I love watching film,’’ said Jones. “I used to get teased a lot at ’Bama by my coaches that I should have an office near where their offices were because I was up there so much watching film. Almost as much as them. I love watching film and I think it’s the key to becoming a better player.’’

Jones started his career in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as a coveted wide receiver and even caught four passes for 51 yards as a freshman before he was moved to defense.

“We were losing a couple of DBs after my freshman year and coach [Nick Saban] knew I could play DB and he asked me would I be willing to try it out for the spring time and I bought in,’’ said Jones. “I just wanted to help the team in any way possible and it worked out for me — and the team.’’

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Did it ever. Jones finished at Alabama with two national championships.

Jones was the fifth Crimson Tide player taken in second round. Center Ryan Kelly was taken in Thursday night’s first round.

Jones's defensive statistics
He played in 51 total games over four seasons.
Season G Tackles Sacks-Yds TFL-Yds FF FR PD INT-Yds
2012 11 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2013 11 25 1-10 1.5-10 -- -- 5 2-1
2014 14 46 -- 2-10 2 1 13 3-27
2015 15 37 -- 4-16 2 1 7 2-21
Career 51 108 1-10 7.5-36 4 2 25 7-49
Source: rolltide.com

It is the second straight year the Patriots have snagged an Alabama player, though linebacker Xzavier Dickson (seventh round, 253d overall) never made the team.

A muscularly built 5-10, 197-pounder, Jones is exceptionally athletic and quick. He has stickablility down the field but could struggle against taller receivers.

Jones is very competitive and hasn’t let his comparative lack of size deter him from joining the fray. Jones is a violent tackler and will run through his opponent.

He already owns one of the best nicknames on the Patriots roster — “Clamp Clampington,’’ bestowed upon him by one of his best friends after a particularly impressive game. Jones liked the name so much he changed all his social media monikers to reflect it.

Though he played on the outside in college, Jones may be best suited as a nickel corner given his size — though he feels his best fit is anywhere on the field.

“I played mostly outside and there’s no reason I can’t line up on Sunday and do the same thing,’’ said Jones, who collected 37 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery last season.

An exceptional special teams performer — always key in New England — Jones returned four punts for touchdowns last season. He was the MVP of the Cotton Bowl, where he had three tackles, an interception, and added five punt returns for 80 yards.

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“Cyrus is very versatile player, played on the perimeter at Alabama, very effective punt returner,’’ said Caserio.

Jones was arrested on a domestic violence charge last April but those charges were dropped. Jones was not disciplined by the team for the incident.

“I learned a lot from [that situation],’’ said Jones. “That’s in the past. It was an unfortunate situation. A misunderstanding. I’ve moved on and I’ve just learned that you have to chose who you’re around and make the right decisions at all time.’’


Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.