The New England Patriots are trading cornerback Duke Dawson to the Denver Broncos, two sources told Patriots Wire on Friday. The trade was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport
Per multiple reports, the Patriots will receive a sixth-round pick in exchange for a seventh-rounder and Dawson.
Dawson departs the Patriots after spending just one season with the team. New England drafted him in the second round out of Florida in 2018. His status as a former second-rounder makes the haul on Friday feel somewhat insufficient.
Dawson started his rookie season with the Patriots on injured reserve. When he got healthy and returned to the 53-man roster at midseason, he didn’t make the 45-man game day roster at all, spending the remainder of the season on the inactive list.
In 2019, he received some first-team reps with the Patriots defense at the start of training camp, but quickly slipped down the depth chart amid a deep group of cornerbacks, which includes Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jon Jones, Joejuan Williams and Keion Crossen. Because of that depth, Dawson couldn’t get on the field.
Perhaps he’ll find a way to salvage his career in Denver.
