Patriots select Cassh Maluia with 204th pick in 2020 NFL Draft
He was a three-year starter at Wyoming.
The Patriots seemed to make it a point to shore up their linebacking position in the 2020 NFL Draft.
New England picked Wyoming linebacker Cassh Maluia in the sixth round of the draft.
Maluia expressed his excitement on joining the Patriots in a conference call after he was drafted Saturday.
“It feels really, really great,” Maluia said. “It’s just an honor to be part of this program. It was really breathtaking when I first got the call. I couldn’t be happier about being a Patriot.”
In his senior season, Maluia recorded 61 tackles (including seven for a loss), half a sack, and two interceptions while starting at weak-side linebacker. He described his playing style as “aggressive, hard-nosed, and I’ll do whatever I can for the team.”
Cassh-ing in.#Patriots select LB Cassh Maluia with the 204th overall pick. #PatsDraft pic.twitter.com/lA07PC1h7Z
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 25, 2020
Maluia said he had some contact with the Patriots prior to the draft, including a FaceTime conversation with linebackers coach Jerod Mayo.
“I had some contact (with the Patriots) after pro day,” Maluia said, “and then I got the chance to hop on FaceTime and show them what I can do on the board and not on the field.”
Maluia, who stands six feet tall and weighs 248 pounds, said he thinks he can play multiple positions, including special teams, where he played his freshman year. He said displaying his versatility was part of his plan “to get noticed.”
“I feel like I’ve got the versatility of many positions,” Maluia said. “I’m willing to do whatever the coaches want me to do, just to go out there and contribute the best I can for the Patriots.
“I would say I was pretty comfortable on the field wherever I was.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com