Need For Speed: Patriots Select Jackson State CB Isaiah Bolden With Final Draft Pick

The New England Patriots went for speed on special teams with their seventh-round selection of the 2023 NFL Draft.

FOXBORO — With their lone seventh-round selection of the 2023 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots put their finishing touches on Day 3 by choosing Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden.

After excelling as a kick-returner in college, Bolden wowed scouts by running a 4.33 40-yard dash at Jackson State's Pro Day.

Per SI’s NFL Draft Bible, Bolden projects as both a depth corner and a special teams contributor. The 6-1, 193-pound defensive back began his college career at Florida State. Though he decided to redshirt his first season, he played in all thirteen games as a freshman; earning nine tackles and one interception. He also contributed on special teams by serving as a kickoff returner. 

Bolden transferred to Jackson State University for his junior season, in which he played in 10 games, totaling eight tackles. He was an “absolutely dominant” kickoff returner, averaging 36.9 yards per return with two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. During his senior season, he played in 13 games, totaling 44 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery.

New England opened round six by selecting their first offensive “weapon” of the weekend by selecting LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte With the No. 192 overall pick, New England took Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer. The Patriots become the first team since the 2000 Raiders to pick a kicker and a punter in the same draft.

With their final selections in the sixth round, New England added slot receiving prospect Demario Douglas and Michigan State cornerback Ameer Speed. 

New England previously selected Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the first round at pick No. 17. The Pats also chose Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White (46 overall) and Sacramento State hybrid linebacker/safety Marte Mapuwith their lone third-round (76 overall) selection. New England opened the fourth-round (107 overall) by selecting Troy center Jake Andrews.

The Pats acquired the 112th selection by making a rare intra-divisional trade with the New York Jets in exchange for the Pats picks at No. 120 and 184. They used the pick to select Maryland kicker Chad Ryland. New England used pick No. 117 to draft Eastern Michigan offensive guard Sidy Sow.

New England acquired the selection from the Las Vegas Raiders, moving their final fourth-round selection at No. 135 to old friends Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler for selections 144 and 214. The Pats further bolstered their interior offensive line depth by selecting UCLA guard Atonio Mafi at 144.

In total, the Patriots made 12 picks in 2023, the most since they selected 12 in 2010. 

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