The New England Patriots are making moves after the NFL draft, as the team released Alfonzo Dennard at cornerback and added Devin Gardner as an undrafted free agent and now they will try to turn the former QB into a wide receiver and this comes as the team is waiting on the decision for Joe Cardona and whether the Navy will allow him to start his pro career.
The Patriots are letting go of Alfonzo Dennard and according to Pro Football Talk, the move is partially due to concerns about his work ethic and overall performance. According to the Boston Herald, the team is comfortable with Malcolm Butler, Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan on the roster with Dennard getting released and he is leaving after being a seventh round draft pick in 2012.
The team added Darryl Roberts out of Marshall at the position and he also is a seventh round pick. Dennard played in six games last season and started four games before he dealt with an injury to finish the year on injured reserve. The team now will have to find some new options to step up on the roster.
The Patriots made some moves and ended up with double digit draft picks, taking defensive tackle Malcolm Brown in the first round. The team now has a young replacement for Vince Wilfork and he comes in after being rated as one of the best DT prospects in the draft. The team did not bring back Wilfork and now Brown has the chance to establish himself as the new front line of the defense.
Bill Belichick has a spotty record sometimes when it comes to drafting, but after getting players like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, his scouting still has plenty to rave about. Brown could be an impact player and after the draft the team raved about fourth round pick Trey Flowers, the defensive end from Arkansas. The team went defense for a number of picks, including the first four off the board and they also added Joe Cardona out of Navy.
Cardona is a long snapper and the team used their fifth round pick on him, meaning it was not a pick just to be symbolic, even for an LS position player. According to Pro Football Talk, the team does not know for sure if Cardona will be able to play right away, as he went to Navy and has a commitment to serve. Cardona can apply for a waiver and it remains to be seen if he will get it.
The Patriots took a tight end in the sixth with AJ Derby and they also added Jordan Richards in the second round and Geneo Grissom in the third. The team likes Tre Jackson at guard from Florida State and Belichick also said that Mason could be a good fit on the offensive line. The Pats are also hoping they have a new offensive weapon in Gardner, as he comes out of Michigan after being an athletic, running quarterback and now he will be converted into a wideout.
