Ken Webster final pick for the Patriots in 2019 NFL Draft
With their final pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected cornerback Ken Webster from The University of Mississippi.
The New England Patriots entered the 2019 NFL Draft with 12 picks at their disposal, tied for the most in the league. When the dust settled after Sunday, they had made seven different trades with five different teams, acquired 10 new players, and stockpiled a further 10 picks in the 2020 draft as well. Only the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks ended up with more players from this year’s draft than the Patriots (they each had 11).
Without a sixth-round pick, the Patriots used their lone seventh-round selection on Ole Miss cornerback Ken Webster. Though a long shot to make the final game-day roster come September, Webster will have every opportunity to prove his potential over the course of OTAs, training camp, and the preseason. He should compete with Duke Dawson and Keion Crossen for meaningful reps behind the established core of Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, and J.C. Jackson.
While cornerback was considered an area of strength for the Patriots heading into the draft, it’s telling that the team selected two different CBs with their 10 picks this year (Webster and second-round pick Joejuan Williams). Part of that may have to do with the perception that this year’s cornerback class is particularly deep and talented. It may also be a reflection of the fact that many of the starting members of the Patriots’ secondary are aging (both McCourty twins, Pat Chung, Duron Harmon, etc.).
The Patriots took Ole Miss CB Ken Webster as their final pick in the seventh round. Prototypical Patriot this year. 5-11, 203 pounds.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 27, 2019
Had a 58.1 QB rating allowed last season, per @PFF. Crazy athlete. Recorded a 4.43 40, 43-in vert, 133-in broad. https://t.co/c9zVnQXKDi
Webster isn’t your typical big, tall, strong shutdown cornerback, standing just 5’11 and weighing a little over 200 lbs. He shot into the national draft-day picture though because of raw athleticism and physical skills, which were all on full display during the 2018 season and especially in drills at the NFL Combine.
dark. Next. Jake Bailey, Stanford punter, drafted by the Pats in the fifth
Having competed in the SEC like fellow New England draftee Williams (who went to Vanderbilt) should also help Webster make the transition from the college to the pro game. Even if he doesn’t break the Pats’ starting DB rotation this season, the team should try to stash him on their practice squad if they can get away with it. He’s that good of an athlete.