2020 NFL Draft: Grading and analyzing all 255 picks for all 32 teams
Pick Analysis. AFC East. . Scouting Report. 1st place. New England Patriots. player. 47
2020 NFL Draft Picks
- 1. Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
- 2. Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan
- 3. Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
- 4. Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
- 5. Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
- 6. Julian Rohrwasser, K, Marshall
- 7. Michael Onwenu, OL, Michigan
- 8. Justin Herron, OL, Wake Forest
- 9. Cassh Maluia, LB, Wyoming
- 10. Dustin Woodard, C, Memphis
Top pick: Kyle Dugger, S/LB, Lenoir-Rhyne
The Patriots traded out of the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and used their top pick on one of the best small-school players in the class, Kyle Dugger of Lenoir-Rhyne.
Watching Dugger’s college highlights was like watching an adult play with a bunch of little kids in the backyard.
It didn’t matter if he was playing defense or returning kicks, Dugger was just bigger, faster, stronger, and better than everyone he played against.
Translating to the NFL, I think Dugger can be a versatile weapon for Bill Belichick’s defense but he’s going to have to learn to rely on his film study rather than raw athleticism going forward.
Steal: OL Michael Onwenu, Michigan – 6th round
The Patriots have found a number of really solid offensive linemen in the later rounds of the NFL Draft and Michael Onwenu could be their latest.
The sixth-round pick out of Michigan is a massive, powerful lineman at 6-foot-3, 350 pounds. He can dominate one-on-one situations, though he obviously needs to prove he can match speed and quickness from the interior line.
He’s got a good veteran to learn from in Shaq Mason.
Overall Grade: C
The Patriots passed on quarterbacks in this draft, which was their prerogative, but they had opportunities to add some young talent at the position and passed on them.
They took to re-shaping their defense early on in this class by taking Kyle Dugger and then Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings off the edge.
In the third round, the Patriots addressed their tight end position with Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, two very different types of players who can help the Patriots’ offense immediately.
The Patriots made Julian Rohrwasser the first kicker off the board after he connected on 18-of-21 field goal attempts last season at Marshall with a long of 53.
Michael Onwenu and Justin Herron are two depth additions to the offensive line who have the upside to develop into starters down the line.
Seventh-rounders Cassh Maluia and Dustin Woodard are strong practice squad candidates in their rookie seasons.