The Patriots entered the draft without a second round pick, but ultimately they made two.
After using the pick they got from the Chargers on Kyle Dugger at No. 37 overall, the Patriots traded into the back end of the second round and selected EDGE Josh Uche from Michigan at pick No. 60 overall.
New England traded picks No. 71 and 98 (both third-rounders) with Baltimore for picks No. 60 (second round) and 129 (fourth round).
Uche, who is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, started just one year at Michigan, but put up good numbers last fall totaling 35 tackles, 11.5 for loss and 8.5 sacks, which led the team. He was a second-team All-Big 10 member.
Here are three quick thoughts on Uche.
-- He is the son of Nigerian immigrants and graduated high school at 17 years old since he skipped kindergarten. The Miami native started playing football in sixth grade, but his parents wanted him to focus on his studies so he did not play as a freshman. He switched high schools and really didn't stand out until his junior season. Uche originally committed to Miami, but decomitted and went to Michigan.
-- Uche played just 10 percent of Michigan's defensive snaps his first three seasons, but saw that increase to 52.8 percent as a senior. Even with that, he was more of a part-time player, which shows he still has room to grow. He is most known for his length and his ability to always be near the ball. With some strong coaching, he has the athleticism and talent to get better and projects as a NFL nickel rusher.
-- The EDGE player does come with some injury concerns. He missed most of his freshman season due to a torn meniscus, suffered a stress fracture in his foot that limited him in 2017 and then strained his hamstring in the Senior Bowl, which limited him at the combine. Uche did have a strong Senior Bowl, which is likely where Patriots coaches first started to take notice.
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