Patriots Select Arkansas TE A.J. Derby in Sixth Round
The Patriots have one of the most dominant tight ends to ever play the game of football at the professional level, but that didn’t stop them from adding to the depth chart, selecting Arkansas tight end A.J. Derby with their sixth-round pick (202 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Derby will face an uphill battle for playing time at tight end, with veterans Michael Hoomanawanui, Tim Wright, and Scott Chandler ahead of him on the depth chart. Derby only began playing tight end a year ago, which is a positive because he’s not yet reached his full potential at the position, but a negative because he’ll have a lot of catching up to do with the rest of the tight ends on the roster.
Derby is not considered a capable blocker, but he could be used as a chess piece in creating matchup problems in the passing game as an F-back. He caught 22 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. NFL.com says he “can line up all over the field,’’ calls him a “natural pass-catcher,’’ and says he only had one drop in 2014.
Based on his scouting report, it sounds like Derby will be in competition for snaps at Wright’s spot on the field. He may not get there this year, but a year on the practice squad could be beneficial as he learns the nuances of the position.
Meet the Patriots’ 2015 draft class.
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