New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick must see something he really likes in fourth-year player Derek Rivers.
The former third-round pick out of Youngstown State had a spectacular college career, albeit for a smaller FCS school. When he was brought aboard the Patriots machine back in 2017 as the 83rd overall pick, the hope was that he’d be able to potentially replace some of the lost production from all the names that left New England that offseason through free agency or retirement at pass-rusher (Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, etc.).
Rivers was the Patriots’ highest draft pick that year, and one of just four players Belichick drafted (the smallest class in his New England tenure).