Tavon Wilson had a solid rookie season in New England. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas
The date was April 27, 2012. The scene was New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The event was Day 2 of the annual NFL draft. And the pick at No. 48 overall was in for the New England Patriots.
League commissioner Roger Goodell introduced legendary Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown to announce the team’s selection. Brown did just that.
Jake Bequette’s evaluation is still a work in progress. (Patriots.com)
NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas
With the 90th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the New England Patriots selected an accomplished Arkansas defensive end named Jake Bequette.
The 6’5”, 265-pound redshirt senior was a four-year starter as well as a two-time team captain for the Razorbacks. And after amassing 23.5 sacks, 35 quarterback pressures and 32.5 tackles for loss over the course of his career in Fayetteville, his resume stood on its own two legs.
Scouting reports had Bequette down as a “high-motor” prospect who displayed “versatility” and “quickness” while playing in an “elite conference” like the SEC. All four of those characteristics coincide with Bill Belichick’s draft history, so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear Bequette’s name announced to the Patriots.
Jeremy Ebert didn’t see the field for New England in 2012.
NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
New England’s final pick of the 2012 NFL Draft was wide receiver Jeremy Ebert out of Northwestern as he was selected in the seventh round, 235th overall.
While playing at Northwestern, Ebert was utilized as a slot receiver as he recorded fairly productive stats his senior year: 75 receptions, 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Alfonzo Dennard was a huge addition late in the 2012 NFL Draft. (USA Today Sports Images)
NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
With the 224th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected cornerback Alfonzo Dennard out of Nebraska—and let me tell you one thing: This pick was an absolute steal.
Dennard might have came with some character issues, as he was arrested in late April was he allegedly punched a police officer in Lincoln, Nebraska—but prior to his arrest, I had Dennard going in either the late first round or in the second or third rounds.
This selection was a great value pick for Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
Nate Ebner made some plays on special teams this year for New England. (Patriots.com)
NEPD Editor: Tony Santorsa
With the 197th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft the New England Patriots selected defensive back Nate Ebner out of Ohio State.
The first thing that you probably heard about Ebner is that he’s a former rugby player in high school as well as at Ohio State—but he obviously still played football while at Ohio State.
Jake Bequette’s evaluation is still a work in progress. (Patriots.com)
NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
The New England Patriots selected defensive end Jake Bequette out of Arkansas with the 90th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The Patriots acquired this pick as they traded their 62nd overall pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the 90th and 163rd overall selections.
Tavon Wilson had a solid rookie season in New England. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Staff Writer: Tony Santorsa
In probably the most interesting draft selections that the New England Patriots made in the 2012 NFL draft was selecting Tavon Wilson out of Illinois with the 48th overall pick.
For starters, I did not like this selection at all—but Wilson sure impressed me in his rookie season.
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