FOXBORO -- Bill Belichick loves cornerbacks.
The Patriots traded up in the second-round with the Rams to No. 45 overall and selected Vanderbilt cornerback JoeJuan Williams. The Patriots gave up pick Nos. 56 (second round) and 101 (third round). He is a tall corner, standing 6-foot-4.
Williams, who was mocked by some to the Patriots in the first round, will compete with J.C. Jackson, Jason McCourty and Duke Dawson for playing time.
Here are three quick thoughts on the newest member of the secondary.
-- Williams had a disappointing combine, but was able to shave 0.9 seconds off his 40-time at his pro day when he ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash. Playing press on and off man coverage, he had 23 passes defensed the last two seasons against tough SEC competition. He’s has very good ball skills and the ability to use his length to knock away or intercept passes.
-- He's a big candy consumer and cut back on them to prepare for the draft. He got rid of Skittles, Mike & Ike and Starbursts from his diet.
-- The Vanderbilt product has been compared to Richard Sherman, another tall coverage corner. They both played under coach Derek Mason, who was Stanford's cornerback coach when Sherman was there and is now the head coach at Vanderbilt.
The Patriots still have their own second round selection.