Recap: Patriots pick four players on the second day of the draft

Entering the day with five scheduled selections, Friday’s second and third draft rounds turned into a busy affair for the New England Patriots. The reigning world champions picked four players and made three trades, and when all was said and done had added the following men to their roster:

CB Joejuan Williams

DE Chase Winovich

RB Damien Harris

Yodny Cajuste

Let’s take a closer look at how the second day of the draft went for New England:

Patriots draft CB Joejuan Williams: 2-45

After an early run on defensive backs to start the second round, the Patriots decided to invest two draft picks — the 56th and the 101st selection — in order to move up the board. New England then invested in Vanderbilt’s Joejuan Williams at 45, securing a tall and physical press-cornerback capable of defending the boundary and helping against bigger targets in the passing game. One thing is certain: his acquisition adds further intrigue to an already deep defensive backfield.

Patriots trade 2-64 to the Seahawks for 3-77 and 4-118

After trading up to get Williams with the 45th overall selection, the Patriots decided to trade down from their 64th pick — despite plenty of players to address potential needs still being on the board. New England, however, felt that a trade presented the better value and received two selections from the Seahawks. Seattle, meanwhile, invested pick number 64 in wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.

Patriots trade 3-73 and 6-205 to the Bears for 3-87, 5-172 and a 2020 4th round pick

Nine picks after trading down for the first time, the Patriots again opted to move down the board when they sent the 73rd overall selection and a sixth-round compensatory pick to the Chicago Bears. In return, New England received three draft choices: a third-round and a fifth-round pick this year as well as a fourth-rounder in 2020. Chicago invested the highest of the selections involved in running back David Montgomery.

Patriots draft DE Chase Winovich: 3-77

New England drafted its third player with one of the two picks originally acquired through the trade-down with the Seahawks: at 77 overall, the Patriots brought Michigan’s Chase Winovich on board. An outstanding athlete that had tremendous production in college, the 24-year-old will get a chance to carve out a role on his new team’s defensive edge rotation. Playing alongside Michael Bennett, Deatrich Wise Jr. and John Simon, Winovich gives the Patriots depth and a young developmental option.

Patriots draft RB Damien Harris: 3-87

After adding to what is already the deepest position on defense — cornerback — in round two, New England picked a player for the deepest position on offense in round three: Alabama’s Damien Harris was made the 87th overall pick of the draft and will join a talented running back corps led by Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead. Given his nature as a versatile downhill runner, Harris will likely join the rotation as the 1B option alongside Michel on early downs and short-yardage situations.

Patriots trade 3-97 and 5-162 to the Rams for 3-101 and 4-133

New England was not done trading, and also opted to move out of the 97th spot. The club sent the pick, which later turned into offensive tackle Bobby Evans, to the Los Angeles Rams alongside the previously acquired 162nd selection. In return, the Patriots received the 101st overall pick and a fourth-rounder. All in all, a good move for the club.

Patriots draft Yodny Cajuste: 3-101

With the second-to-last pick of the day, the Patriots again drafted a player: West Virginia offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste. Addressing a major need, Cajuste will serve as the third tackle alongside presumed starters Isaiah Wynn and Marcus Cannon. A developmental option, he could fill the backup swing tackle role previously held by LaAdrian Waddle — and maybe even take over for Cannon one day.