With The First Pick
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2017 New England Patriots NFL Mock Draft

By Kyle Davis

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) tries to break a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) tries to break a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

#4.  Chidobe Awuzie – CB – Colorado

With the Patriots’ 2nd 3rd Round Pick, the add to their depth at Cornerback.  Don’t forget, the Patriots will have two 3rd round picks (as long as the Browns are awarded their compensatory pick).  This one will almost certainly be the pick they owned all along.

Listed as 5’11” and 205 pounds, Awuzie has jumped onto the radar of NFL Scouts after being solid last season.  He was awarded All-Pac 12 2nd Team Honors, and was a very versatile player for the Buffaloes.

He has taken snaps at Nickel, Corner, Safety, and even lined up some at linebacker.  Awuzie also is effective at rushing the QB from the outside.  He is very aggressive and had more tackles for loss than anyone on the team.

However, he is also great in coverage, and consistently blankets receivers, breaks up passes, and has come up with game-critical interceptions.

The Patriots can afford to make this pick after their 2nd Round Pick Cyrus Jones out of Alabama last year hasn’t gone well so far.  He hasn’t been able to stay on the field due to some injuries, as well as being ejected from a game for striking another player.

He still can be useful to the team, it just hasn’t been the start the Patriots were looking for.  To balance that out and provide further depth behind Butler and Ryan, Awuzie could fill in well.  He could provide some good time at Nickel and be effective in blitz packages too.

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