New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings wasn’t caught off guard after being drafted by the team.
Jennings was selected with the No. 87 pick and he was the second linebacker the Patriots grabbed in the first three rounds. New England lost Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts — so they quickly replenished a group that needed some work.
Bill Belichick has a very close relationship with Nick Saban, so it’s no surprise that Jennings landed in New England. But, Jennings’ relationship with Patriots assistant coach Vinnie Sunseri tipped him off to the strong possibility he’d land in New England. Sunseri was a graduate assistant at Alabama and told Jennings that he would be a Patriot.
“(Sunseri) told me actually right before we started all the combine and stuff like that, that I was going to be a Patriot,” Jennings said during a conference call. “That being said, I just went about the process and now I’m here and I’m a Patriot. So it’s kinda funny and I look forward to it.”
Jennings is capable of rushing the passer, but his strongest asset is setting the edge and stopping the run. He’ll compliment New England’s other rookie linebacker, Josh Uche, who’ll be more focused on rushing the passer. Jennings spoke to reporters on Saturday and elaborated on how Belihcik will use in the Patriots’ defense.
“I talked to Coach Belichick last night,” Jennings said, transcribed by NESN. “He plans on using me kind of the same way that I was used at Alabama — using my versatility, being able to stack it back off the ball and line up on the edge and move around, making the most of wherever he puts me.”
