Patriots keep dealing, move up for Duke Dawson

The New England Patriots have selected cornerback Duke Dawson out of Florida in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 56th overall, following a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs received picks No. 63 and No. 117 for No. 56.

Lauded for his incredible competitiveness - likely a selling point for Bill Belichick - Dawson projects as a slot corner for New England, though he has the potential to move outside.

Duke Dawson Bio

Position: CB
School: Florida
College Experience: Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 197 lbs

What the analysts are saying

• "Compact, strong slot corner who can beat up finesse receivers when he's allowed to crowd and disrupt the route release... He has some length and speed limitations, but he has the instincts and cover talent to become a starting nickel cornerback. " - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
• "Dawson lacks ideal size but he is an opportunistic playmaker whose instincts, quickness, and sticky hands make him an intriguing nickel corner or perhaps even a free safety-conversion candidate at the next level." - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

Athletic testing