It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the New England Patriots pulled off a blockbuster deal in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Rain or shine, Bill Belichick always finds a way to acquire value, and that’s exactly why they have two picks in the first round.
The Pats sent Brandin Cooks, whom they acquired from the Saints prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, to the Los Angeles Rams. In exchange they got this pick and a sixth rounder, pitching in a fourth rounder of their own to wrap up the deal.
Later rounds seem like a more likely route for the Pats as far as drafting a receiver to replace Cooks. Instead, they’ll take Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans – not because it’s a big need, but because the Patriots can afford to stockpile depth and keep on winning.
Evans is the latest in a long line of talented top-shelf Tuscaloosa linebackers. He was an integral part in the Tide’s championship run, tallying 13 tackles for a loss and six sacks in his senior season. The Patriots won’t allow Evans to slip any further than No. 23.