After losing big-bodied defensive tackles Akiem Hicks and Sealver Siliga in free agency, and with Alan Branch and Terrance Knighton having contracts that expire after the 2016 season, the New England Patriots fed the pipeline at the position by selecting Nebraska's Vincent Valentine (No. 96).
My take: In releasing Dominique Easley and Chris Jones, the Patriots signaled they might be going away from more of the pure 3-technique defensive tackle in favor of more size, length, physicality and girth inside, and the selection of Valentine further solidifies that line of thinking. He is 6-foot-3 5/8 and 329 pounds and left school after his junior season, which surprised some because he didn't follow up a solid sophomore season with the same type of performance in 2015 (a sprained ankle might be part of the reason).
Where he fits: Valentine shouldn't be pressed into action right away, working behind Malcom Brown, Branch, Knighton and possibly Markus Kuhn/Frank Kearse, giving him the luxury of developing behind the scenes and in the team's strength and weight program.
Darrelle Revis pick: This was the compensatory draft choice the Patriots received for cornerback Darrelle Revis departing in free agency for the New York Jets after the 2014 season.
What's next: The Patriots have the following picks on Day 3 of the draft: fourth round (112); sixth round (196); sixth round (204); sixth round (208); sixth round (214); sixth round (221); seventh round (243); seventh round (250). With 80 players on the current roster, if the team makes all of those picks on Saturday, there will be just two spots for undrafted free agents unless there is further roster movement.
