The New England Patriots struck gold selecting a Michigan edge rusher on Day 2 of the NFL Draft last year, and they're hoping to enjoy similar success in 2020.
One year after taking Wolverines star Chase Winovich in the third round, the Patriots drafted Michigan linebacker Josh Uche with the No. 60 overall pick in Friday night's second round.
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The Patriots traded up -- yes, you read that right -- to select Uche. They acquired the No. 60 and No. 129 (fourth round) picks from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the No. 71 and No. 98 overall picks (both in the third round).
Uche tallied a career-high 7.5 sacks with 10.5 tackles for a loss, 33 total tackles and two fumble recoveries in 12 games for Michigan last season. He's listed at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds.
The Patriots needed to add a pass rusher (or two) in this draft after losing their two sack leaders from last season -- linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins -- in free agency.
Here's our Phil Perry's assessment of Uche from his Prototypical Patriots pre-draft series:
He lit it up at the Senior Bowl to the point where executive director of the Senior Bowl Jim Nagy thought Uche was one of the best defenders in Mobile, Ala. after South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, who looks like a top-15 player. Uche had 8.5 sacks in just over 400 snaps for the Wolverines this season. You can question why he wasn't on the field more, but that's production personified off the edge. Could a reunion with Michigan teammate Chase Winovich be in the offing? "[Wisconsin's Zack] Baun and Uche, to me, are two that totally seem like Patriots-type linebackers," said Nagy, a former Patriots scout.
Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson relayed some positive information on Uche from talent evaluators in the NFL.
The Patriots drafted Division II safety Kyle Dugger earlier in the second round at No. 37 overall.
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