Chase Winovich first pick of the Patriots in the third round

Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich was selected by the New England Patriots with their first pick of the third round, No. 77 overall.

When we mock drafted Chase Winovich to the New England Patriots, we had him going No. 64 overall, just at the end of the draft’s second round. Turns out the Patriots selected him just 13 spots later to start off the third round instead.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter where or when Winovich was drafted by the Patriots, so much as the fact that he was in fact drafted by the Patriots. A 6’3, 255-lb defensive end out of the University of Michigan, Winovich was an absolute terror on the outside all season long for the Wolverines’ opponents in 2018. He racked up 62 tackles along the way -14.5 of them for loss – to go alongside four sacks.

At the other end of the Michigan defensive line was the highly-touted Rashan Gary, a player selected No. 12 overall by the Green Bay Packers. Gary may have been more heavily-recruited, and he might have more innate talent and ability, but Winovich without a doubt had the better season for the Wolverines last year. While many thought Gary underwhelmed against his potential, Winovich clearly exceeded the expectations put upon him… which may help explain why he was drafted in the third round by a team like the Patriots.

Bill Belichick loves high-motor guys who refuse to take any plays off, and that’s what it looks like New England is getting in Winovich. The defensive end had every opportunity to compete against some of the best offensive lines in the country by playing in the Big Ten, and more often than not he won those individual battles.

On his own time, Winovich reportedly took ballet and Ju-jitsu lessons to improve his coordination, agility, and body control. He has long been considered a ferocious and tenacious defender, and will now be part of the plan installed up in Foxborough to replace the departed Trey Flowers.