FOXBOROUGH -- Back again at Gillette Stadium for another day of team building. The Patriots have the following picks over the next four rounds to finish off the draft:
Fourth round: No. 105
Fifth round: No. 143
Sixth round: No. 198 and No. 210
Seventh round: No. 219
Keep it here all afternoon for updates. And away we go...
6:52 p.m.: Nick Caserio is set to speak at 7.
6:38 p.m.: TE Ryan Izzo (Florida State) is pick at No. 250 for the Patriots. That (presumably) finishes things off for New England, as far as we know.
6:25 p.m.
No. 23: OL Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)
No. 31: RB Sony Michel (Georgia)
No. 56: DB Duke Dawson (Florida)
No. 143: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (Purdue)
No. 178: LB Christian Sam (Arizona State)
No. 210: WR Braxton Berrios (Miami)
No. 219: QB Danny Etling (LSU)
No. 243: DB Keion Crossen (Western Carolina)
No. 250:
6:23 p.m.: Crossen is a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder who recorded 165 tackles over his four-year career including 106 solo stops and five tackles for loss.
6:22 P.M.: DB Keion Crossen from Western Carolina is the pick at No. 243. One pick left.
6:06 p.m.: Pats are at 243 and 250 now after that deal with Philly.
6:04 p.m.: On a conference call with Danny Etling. Talking about working with Tom House -- the same throwing coach that Tom Brady has worked with for many years. Excited about working with Brady and the rest of the players. "Really exciting" to get the call from the Patriots. "Just couldn't believe it. It was a dream come true. ... I couldn't stop smiling." Notes he's been flexible -- had several different coaches and coordinators in college. Said it's helped him along the way. Friends with Bentley -- they were teammates at Purdue. Excited to be teammates with him again. On being in same QB room with Brady -- "Sit there and take in as much as you can. ... It's such a great quarterback room. Excited to be a part of it." Growing up, he was a Colts fan but it was "hard not to respect how great New England is." Polished kid who answered some tough questions -- handled himself well.
6:01 p.m.:
The Patriots select LSU QB Danny Etling at the start of the seventh round. His 120.8 passer rating on deep passes ranked 4th in the class
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018
5:49 p.m.: Berrios on with us on a conference call right now. Says he loves returning punts -- "an adrenaline rush I get nowhere else." Says he tries to stay away from talk about how he was pegged as a typical New England receiver/player. Says his pre-draft meeting with the Patriots was "incredible ... walked away with a great feeling." On the Patriots: "I appreciate greatness. I always have. ... I've loved watching them play. The way they do it, the way they play." A captain, he says he tries to lead by example. He knows former college teammate Philip Dorsett -- looking forward to seeing him again. Looks forward to learning from Edelman and "trying to soak up everything I can."
5:31 p.m.: LSU quarterback Danny Etling is the pick for the Patriots at No. 219. Etling, who transferred to LSU after spending two seasons at Purdue, finished his college career with a 58 percent completion rate and 7,076 passing yards, to go along with 43 touchdowns and 19 picks. Is this the next guy? Check out his highlights.
5:26 p.m.:
I’M A PATRIOT BABY!!!!! #PATSNATION
— Braxton Berrios (@HNYNUT_BERRIOS) April 28, 2018
5:20 p.m.: I am going to be very interested to see how Julian Edelman is going to take this pick. Not suggesting that Berrios is anywhere near Edelman's neighborhood, but Edelman has always been a big chip-on-your-shoulder guy. The fact that they have selected a similar type of guy who projects as a slot receiver and punt returner a year after Edelman's knee injury is worth noting. That's all.
5:08 p.m.: Wide receiver Braxton Berrios taken at No. 210 by New England. Smallish pass catcher who was a third-team All-ACC. He had 55 catches for 679 yards and nine TDs. He also had special teams value as a punt returner -- he had 13 punts for 207 yards. Here are a few highlights.
4:47 p.m.: By our count, four picks left for the Patriots:
No. 210:
No. 219:
No. 233:
No. 243:
4:41 p.m.: Luke Falk is taken 199 by the Titans. For a guy with a Tom Brady fetish, it feels weirdly appropriate.
4:37 p.m.: Pats deal with the Chiefs — they send 198 to Kansas City for two seventh-round picks. (Nos. 233 and 243 overall)
4:34 p.m.: Pats make a deal to bail on 198. Seventh trade of the draft for New England. Details shortly.
4:29 p.m.: Pats are looming here at 198.
4:10 p.m.: Sam describes himself as "fast, intelligent, physical and a guy who gets to the ball and tries to make plays for his team." He said he talked to the Patriots during the pre-draft process. On New England and how the Patriots use their linebackers: "I know they like their linebackers versatile. ... They move the guys around and want guys to do a lot of jobs." Says he's played off the line and on the line. ... Sounds like he's ready to play special teams -- no hesitation there, based on his ASU experience. He has some experience in the secondary. ... Calls himself a "high-character guy."
4:04 p.m.: Sam conference call about to start.
3:49 p.m.: Here's a snapshot of the Pats' right now...
No. 23: OL Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)
No. 31: RB Sony Michel (Georgia)
No. 56: DB Duke Dawson (Florida)
No. 143: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (Purdue)
No. 178: LB Christian Sam (Arizona State)
No. 198:
No. 210:
No. 219:
3:48 p.m.: If nothing else, Ja’Whaun Bentley knows his Patriots’ history.
The linebacker, who was taken in the fifth round of the NFL draft Saturday by New England, gave a shout-out to some Patriots’ linebackers of past and present shortly after he was taken, singling out Tedy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas, Rob Ninkovich, Rosevelt Colvin and Dont’a Hightower.
“I watched a lot of football, so I’ve seen a lot of guys come from the Patriots,” the 21-year-old said Saturday after he was taken in the fifth round by New England. “Even back in the Tedy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas days. Roosevelt Colvin, Rob Ninkovich. Guys like that. I definitely watched a lot ball, watched a lot of guys play, the history of ‘backer. Dont’a Hightower (is) one of my favorites.
“It’s definitely a good system as far as a linebacker is concerned, so I’m just excited to get to work.”
When it comes to Hightower, Bentley said it’s an easy call.
“I definitely like (Hightower’s) style of play,” he said. “He’s definitely a physical guy. He’s a physical guy and versatile, and that’s one of the things that jumps out to you. And I watched a lot of him when he was at Alabama.”
3:45 p.m.: Some Sam highlights from last year.
3:44 p.m.: At first glance, the Patriots have taken two guys in Sam and Bentley who have some positional redundancy — big, strong inside linebacker types who are known more for their skills against the run than the pass. However, it sounds like Bentley has a little more versatility in his game than Sam. And this is another guy who might challenge Elandon Roberts for playing time in 2018.
3:41 p.m.: Another linebacker -- the Patriots have taken linebacker Christian Sam out of Arizona State at No. 178. The 6-foot-2, 244-pounder was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors last year, leading the Sun Devils with 127 tackles, 9.5 for loss, with three sacks and two pass breakups.
3:30 p.m.: No. 178 is in sight. Logan Woodside? Another linebacker?
3:29 p.m.: Mike White to the Cowboys. One of our guys who was a potential Patriot. Like the move.
3:02 p.m.: Some stuff from Bentley's call -- "It was a surreal moment," when he got the call from the Patriots. "(I) just wanted my name called. ... Just excited to be in the NFL." He describes himself as "definitely a physical football player." He also referenced his Senior Bowl experience as a good thing -- at Purdue, he played a lot of off-the-ball linebacker, but at the Senior Bowl, he was on the line of scrimmage. A good experience for him to show something different. Says he's a gym rat -- "I just love working out. That's what put me in the great situation I am today." Says Hightower is one of his favorite linebackers. "He's definitely a physical guy who is versatile. ... I watched a lot of him at Alabama." Also referenced Bruschi, Colvin, Ninkovich and Adalius Thomas as New England linebackers he's enjoyed watching over the years.
2:54 p.m.: Talking to Bentley here in a few minutes on a conference call.
2:31 p.m.: So let's revisit the big board for New England...
No. 23: OL Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)
No. 31: RB Sony Michel (Georgia)
No. 56: DB Duke Dawson (Florida)
No. 143: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (Purdue)
No. 178:
No. 198:
No. 210:
No. 219:
2:25 p.m.:
Pats Nation Let’s Go!!
— Ja’Whaun (JB) Bentley? (@NVBentley33) April 28, 2018
2:21 p.m. If we're all in agreement that Cyrus Jones should be worried after the Patriots got Duke Dawson on Friday, wondering if Elandon Roberts should be concerned with the pickup of Bentley. Got some of the same look to his game, at least when it comes to his skill set.
2:18 p.m.
New England selects Purdue LB Ja'whaun Bentley. His 91.2 overall grade ranked second among draft-eligible LBs in 2017
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018
2:15 p.m.: So here's where we stand when it comes to the Patriots...
No. 178
No. 198
No. 210
No. 219
2:10 p.m.: A 6-foot-2, 260-pound thumper on the inside, Bentley projects as an early-down linebacker. He played in 37 games in college, and had 272 tackles, including 29.5 for loss.
2:05 p.m.: There's your linebacker -- Ja'Whaun Bentley out of Purdue is the pick at No. 143 for New England.
2:01 p.m.: Shaquem Griffin to the Seahawks at No. 141. Love that pick -- joining his brother in Seattle.
2:00 p.m.: The Patriots' next pick -- No. 143 -- is looming here in the next few moments.
1:47 p.m.: For the record, the smallest draft class of the Belichick Era was last year when the Patriots took four players. I think they're going to surpass that, but the way things are going, you really don't know.
1:28 p.m.: Because someone asked, here's a look at where the Patriots stand when it comes to the 2019 draft as well, as far as we can tell:
Round 1: Assigned Selection
Round 2: Assigned Selection
Round 2: Acquired from Chicago
Round 3: Traded to Cleveland (in deal for DT Danny Shelton)
Round 3: Acquired from Detroit
Round 4: Assigned Selection
Round 5: Assigned Selection
Round 6: Traded to Detroit (in exchange for CB/ST Johnson Bademosi)
Round 7: Assigned Selection
1:27 p.m.: Pick No. 130 is looming now. Pats currently scheduled to pick at No. 143.
1:18 p.m.: Here’s the Patriots’ trade history from this year’s draft ... so far:
With Niners
To NE: OT Trent Brown, No. 143
To SF: No. 95
With Lions
To NE: No. 51, No. 117
To DET: No. 43
With Bears
To NE: No. 105, second-rounder in 2019
To CHI: No. 51
With Bucs
To NE: No. 56 (Duke Dawson)
To TB: No. 63, No. 117
With Browns
To NE: No. 114, No. 178
To CLE: No. 105
With Lions
To NE: third-rounder in 2019
To DET: No. 114
1:08 p.m.: So are we at a point where we think Belichick and the Patriots just don't like this draft? Or is it that they're missing on their guys are trading down? One intriguing thought, however, was raised by our buddy Eric Edholm.
If Belichick was going anywhere, he would not be trading into 2019 like a mad man
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) April 28, 2018
1:02 p.m. So here's the latest reset:
No. 143
No. 178
No. 198
No. 210
No. 219
Three players taken, six trades.
12:48 p.m.:
The Patriots have traded now pick 114 to the Lions in exchange for Detroit’s 2019 third round pick, per source. https://t.co/RWl2plcXpv
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 28, 2018
12:45 p.m.: And another trade. This time with the Lions. We'll have some details for you shortly.
12:38 p.m.: Patriots on deck. Mike White? Mo Hurst? Someone else? Or another trade?
12:31 p.m.: Is Mike Vrabel wondering right now how to swoop in and take No. 113 from the Broncos and snipe the Patriots and Belichick again?
12:29 p.m.: Kyle Lauletta goes to the Giants. Love this guy...an intriguing situation now for New York.
12:22 p.m.: Multiple reports indicate that the Pats get 114 and 178 in exchange for 105. So here’s what the Patriots have right now...
No. 114
No. 143
No. 178
No. 198
No. 210
No. 219
12:20 p.m.: Another trade -- Pats make a deal with the Browns, and they deal down ... again. Details along shortly.
12:16 p.m.: Pats on deck after Indy. Kyle Lauletta, Mo Hurst, Josh Sweat and Josey Jewell all out there.
12:00 p.m.: Gotta be on your toes first thing Saturday -- Patriots have one of the first picks of the day. At least they're scheduled to have one of the first picks of the day.
11:46 a.m.: Just a heads up -- we have a lot of great content from the last 24 hours to look back on before things kick off here Saturday in Foxborough.
--Mike Loyko has a preview when it comes to what to expect Saturday.
--I watched a lot of Duke Dawson film Friday night. With his intensity and playing style, he reminds me a bit of Malcolm Butler. A little.
--Greg says that all the trades on Friday still don't obscure the fact that the Jimmy Garoppolo deal was a bad move.
--Video: Nick Caserio breaks down what happened for the Patriots on Day 2.