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The Patriots are set to pick 32nd in the first round on Thursday night and part of the reason why is the play of their two first-round picks in 2012.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower and defensive end Chandler Jones were integral parts of the team’s defense on the way to a Super Bowl title last season and the team doesn’t have designs on losing either one next year. We heard on Wednesday that the team exercised their fifth-year option on Hightower’s contract and Thursday brings word, via multiple reports, that they’ve done the same with Jones.