2020 NFL Draft: Josh Uche an incredible fit for New England Patriots

The New England Patriots find another versatile defender with the selection of Josh Uche in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

After taking a versatile defensive playmaker in Kyle Dugger earlier in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots trade up to pick No. 60 to snag another impact defender. Josh Uche was not a big-time contributor in college until last season, but he showed a ton of impact defensive upside last year and has the versatility that the Patriots are going to love.

Uche is listed as an edge rusher and he certainly has a ton of upside at that position. Uche is an extremely quick off of the ball and bends around the edge with ease. He also shows some nice variety in his pass-rush moves and closes on the quarterback quickly as soon as he finds a path.

As impressive as Uche is coming off of the edge, he also shows a ton of upside when dropping back into coverage. He is quick and smooth in coverage and attacks the ball in the air well for a front seven defender. The New England Patriots love players who have this kind of versatility so I am not surprised to see them trade up and make Uche a priority.

Uche is not the stoutest defensive player and that does cause him some issues against the run. While his impressive skill-set in all aspects of pass defense does fit the modern NFL extremely well, Bill Belichick is not going to trust this guy as a three-down defender if he can not make an impact as a run defender. He is going to have to work on that at the next level.

While his run defense undoubtedly needs some work, Uche has a chance to come in and make an immediate impact on this team. Nice value selection at a major position of need for the New England Patriots here.