Phil Perry explains why even though DE wasn’t the most needed position for the Patriots, they couldn’t pass on him when he was still available at 46.
The New England Patriots have made their second trade of the 2023 NFL Draft and their first to move up in the order.
But they did it to select a kicker.
The Patriots packaged the 120th (fourth round) and 184th (sixth round) picks to acquire the New York Jets' fourth-round selection at No. 112 overall. New England used the 112th pick to take Maryland kicker Chad Ryland.
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Ryland hit 19 of 23 field goal attempts (82.6 percent) and 39 of 40 extra points for Maryland last season. He made 75 of 97 field goal attempts (77.3 percent) over five collegiate seasons. He played four years at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Maryland for the 2022 campaign.
It's not totally surprising that the Patriots have drafted a kicker. Veteran kicker Nick Folk is 38 years old and entering the final year of his contract. However, taking a kicker in the fourth round, and giving up a sixth-rounder to do it, is a weird decision when there are much bigger roster needs to address, such as wide receiver. Taking a chance on a kicker in the sixth or seventh round makes more sense.
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Here are the Patriots' remaining picks:
Fourth round: No. 117 overall
Fourth round: No. 135 overall
Sixth round: No. 187 overall
Sixth round: No. 192 overall
Sixth round: No. 210 overall
Seventh round: No. 245 overall
