With the 178th pick in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Mississippi St outside linebacker Matt Wells.
Wells was not on the draft radar for most experts, but he shot up boards following a dynamic performance at the Mississippi St. Pro Day in March.
At 6'2" and 222 lbs, Wells recorded a 4.42 40 yard dash, a 9'10" broad jump, 35 1/2" vertical, 4.26 shuttle, and 7.1 second 3-cone.
He probably does not project as a traditional linebacker for the Patriots, but will have a chance to make the team as a special teams coverage player. He did, however, start his final two seasons at Mississippi St. at outside linebacker, finishing his career with 165 tackles, 22 TFL, and six sacks.
What are your thoughts on the selection of Wells?
The Patriots still have on pick remaining in the sixth round, as well as two in the seventh. The full Patriots 2015 draft board:
Round | Overall Pick | Selection |
1 | 32 | Malcom Brown, DL, Texas |
2 | 64 | Jordan Richards, S, Stanford |
3 | 97 | Geneo Grissom, DE, Oklahoma |
4 | 101 | Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas |
111 | Tre' Jackson, G, Florida St. | |
131 | Shaq Mason, OC/OG, Georgia Tech | |
5 | 166 | Joe Cardona, LS, Navy |
6 |
178 202 |
Matt Wells, OLB, Mississippi St. --- |
7 | 247 / 253 |
--- |