The New England Patriots made their first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft sooner than expected Thursday, as they traded their No. 27-overall pick and a third-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals to select Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones. The Patriots still have the No. 31 overall pick in the draft.
Needed to bolster their pass-rush, the Patriots selected Jones (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) who may not come right in and be a producer but has a lot of upside. Since declaring for the draft in December, Jones has slowly worked his way up draft boards.
At Syracuse, Jones didn't compile great stats as he battled injuries throughout his collegiate career, but when he was in the lineup he was a force to be reckoned with.
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