With the 48th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Patriots select Tavon Wilson, CB from Illinois.
This pick was acquired by the Patriots from the Raiders last year in a draft day trade in which the Raiders acquired Joseph Barksdale and Taiwan Jones. The Patriots thus far have addressed their pass rush only by adding Chandler Jones of Syracuse and Dont'a Hightower of Alabama. With this pick the Patriots add to their secondary, which was the worst in the league last year.
Wilson is versatile enough to play either corner or safety, and the Patriots have great needs at both of those positions. Wilson was not highly regarded in the draft, but was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention each of the last two years and New England is known for drafting diamonds in the rough. At this point, New England needs all the help they can get in their defensive backfield and this guy is as good as anyone, in that he has a pulse.
The Raiders could have used this pick to improve their secondary as well, but potential studs on the offensive line and runningback are probably worth the price they paid for those picks.
This pick was announced by Patriots great Troy Brown.
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