April 26, 2008 Patriots select Jerod Mayo in first round Play video

(NECN: Foxboro, Mass.) - The New England Patriots sent the seventh overall pick to the New Orleans and used their number ten pick to select linebacker Jerod Mayo from Tennessee. The Patriots also got a third round pick in exchange for New England's fifth round pick.

Mayo led the SEC with 140 tackles, and eight times got ten tackles in a game. He is versatile and can play both inside and outside. He will add some youth to the Patriots defense which is now comprised of veterans Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau, if he returns.

Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan was taken third overall by Atlanta. He'll be expected to be their franchise quarterback and replace Michael Vick who is serving a prison sentence on dogfighting charges.