Patriots Select DE Buchanan, LB Beauharnais In 7th Round Of 2013 NFL Draft
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots used two of their three selections in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft, taking defensive players with both picks.
With the 226th overall pick, the Patriots took defensive end/outside linebacker Michael Buchanan out of Illinois. Buchanan could have been an early round pick but was involved in a fight prior to his senior year that left him with a broken jaw. He had to have the jaw wired shut for a week, and lost twenty pounds before the season began.
After recording 64 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2011, Buchanan's production dropped to 57 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2012. At 6-5, 255-lbs, scouts say he has to get bigger to play in the NFL. While he is praised for having an explosive first step, scouts also say he does not recover quick enough from cut blocks.
With the 235th overall selection the Patriots drafted linebacker Steve Beauharnais out of Rutgers -- the third Scarlet Knight Bill Belichick selected in the draft. The 6-0, 240-lbs Beauharnais was a team captain and semifinalist for the Butkus Award in 2012 after starting all 13 games and registering 83 tackles and an interception. His most productive overall year came as a junior, when he racked up 77 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
The Patriots also selected Rutgers cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Duron Harmon, both in the third round.
Read: Meet The Patriots 2013 Draft Picks
The Patriots had three seventh round selections entering Saturday, but traded one to Tampa Bay along with kick returner Jeff Demps for running back LeGarrette Blount.
