Recap: Patriots pick five players on the third day of the draft

The New England Patriots held seven selections entering the final day of the 2019 NFL draft. Through a series of trades, the team ended with five total selections between rounds four and seven. When all was said and done and the dust had settled, the following men were added to the Patriots’ roster:

OG Hjalte Froholdt

QB Jarrett Stidham

DE Byron Cowart

P Jake Bailey

CB Ken Webster

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

Patriots draft OG Hjalte Froholdt: 4-118

New England started into day three by staying put at #118 and investing into one of the most intriguing guards in the entire draft: Hjalte Froholdt. The Arkansas product also brings very good athleticism to the table and as an outstanding pass protector will compete with Ted Karras for the top backup spot along the Patriots’ interior offensive line — at least in 2019. Further down the line, Froholdt might become insurance in case starting left guard and impending free agent Joe Thuney cannot be retained beyond this year.

Patriots draft QB Jarrett Stidham: 4-133

With their second selection in the fourth round, the Patriots decided to invest in a quarterback: Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham will compete for snaps and a roster spot behind Tom Brady this summer. A smart and accurate passer that knows how to take care of the football, Stidham will start his career by sitting and learning before potentially taking over for Brian Hoyer as the Patriots’ top backup in 2020 — if not earlier.

Patriots trade 4-134 and 7-243 to the Rams for 5-162 and 5-167

Immediately after drafting Jarrett Stidham with the 133rd selection, the Patriots opted to move pick number 134: New England traded the pick together with one of the its four seventh-round selections to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two fifth-rounders. The Rams, meanwhile, used #134 on defensive tackle Greg Gaines.

Patriots draft DE Byron Cowart: 5-159

New England used the first of the two picks acquired from the Rams to move up the board again: together with 7-239, the team traded up three spots to draft defensive lineman Byron Cowart. A developmental option that needs to refine its technique at the next level, the Maryland product has some positional versatility and physical tools to possible develop into a rotational option.

Patriots draft P Jake Bailey: 5-163

Four picks after selecting Byron Cowart, the Patriots moved up the board again: the team invested 5-167 and 7-246 to trade up four spots in the fifth round and select Stanford’s Jake Bailey. A strong-legged punter who also has experience working on kickoffs, Bailey will compete against veteran Ryan Allen this summer.

Patriots draft CB Ken Webster: 7-252

After waiting almost 90 picks, the Patriots made their fifth selection of the day — and tenth overall of the 2019 draft — near the end of the seventh round. New England went with Ole Miss cornerback Ken Webster, a developmental defensive back that needs to improve his feel for the game but has some foundational skills in place.