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After trading back from the 147th pick with the Green Bay Packers, the New England Patriots selected Joe Cardona, long snapper out of Navy at pick 166 in the fifth round.
I know what you're probably thinking... a long snapper? In the fifth round?
While it does seem high for a long snapper, Cardona is a good one. He has started for Navy since his freshman year, and was the only long snapper invited to the NFL Combine.
Incumbent long snapper Danny Aiken has had his struggles the last two seasons, so the opportunity is there for Cardona to take the job. However, he will need to be cleared by the Navy as he has a five year commitment to fulfill. Former Patriot and Navy player Eric Kettani previously got an exception.
What are your initial thoughts on the selection?
The Patriots have a pair of picks in each the sixth and seventh rounds remaining:
| 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 |
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| 7 | 247 / 253 |
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