New England didn't have a first-round pick this year, but it didn't take the Patriots long to sign their second-round selection.
Cornerback Cyrus Jones inked his rookie deal Thursday, according to multiple reports. The No. 60 overall pick out of Alabama offers the Patriots immediate help as a slot defender who also doubles as a dangerous return man.
Drawing comparisons to Kansas City's Steven Nelson, Jones piled up seven career picks and four forced fumbles during his run with the Crimson Tide. The Patriots have missed on a handful of later-round defensive backs, but Jones has a legitimate chance to steal snaps away from Justin Coleman in subpackage sets.
"(Jones) may need to get his Twitter game in check because I think he lets some of that stuff get to him, but it's just more fuel for his fire," one league executive told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein. "He thinks everyone is always disrespecting him from media to the other team. I like him. You will never have to worry about his football character while he's in the league."
With Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler ticketed for starting roles on the outside, New England wasn't desperate for help at the position. Still, we like the potential of any defensive back playing under coach Bill Belichick, one of the most creative defensive architects of our time.
