After making two picks in Round 2, the Patriots made their third pick of the draft at No. 87 overall (Round 3).
With the pick, the team selected EDGE Anfernee Jennings out of Alabama. Given the Bill Belichick-Nick Saban connection, Saban likely signed off on the selection.
Jennings is a versatile player, but his weakness is rushing the passer and is projected as a run-stopper on the inside or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. This may have been a bit of a reach, as many saw him as a Day 3 selection.
Here are three quick thoughts on Jennings.
-- The red-shirt senior was a three-year starter for Alabama and played on both sides of the formation. He recorded double-digit tackles for loss the last two seasons and had 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons. This fall he was First-Team All-SEC and led Alabama in tackles for loss and sacks.
-- Jennings suffered a serious left knee injury against Clemson in the playoff semifinals (2017 season), which required immediate surgery to repair his PCL, artery damage and a blood clot. He was able to make a full recovery and had a strong final two seasons.
-- He was a team captain for the Crimson Tide last season. Also, his brother was his teammate at Alabama before transferring to South Alabama.
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