The Los Angeles Chargers hope this was worth it. After being in the limelight for two decades, the New England Patriots are finally – one could argue – rebuilding after being unceremoniously ousted in the first weekend of the NFL Playoffs last season and then losing franchise icon Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Patriots had the No. 23 overall pick in the first round, but they received an enticing offer from the Los Angeles Chargers, who moved up to that pick by giving up the Nos. 37 and 71 picks for it.
Picks 37 and 71 for 23 https://t.co/sRNpCcjdDP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2020
With that pick in their pocket, the Chargers selected Kenneth Murray out of Oklahoma, a talented and feisty outside linebacker.
The #Chargers trade up and take #OU LB Kenneth Murray at No. 23. Didn’t hear a bad word about him all process. Leader and high-character.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2020
After already addressing their pressing need at the quarterback position by selecting Justin Herbert out of Oregon at No. 6, Murray will help bolster an already-strong Chargers defense that finished 14th in points allowed and a lofty sixth in yards allowed last season but still only finished with a 5-11 record. The Patriots didn't see enough need to have to get a first-round selection; the Chargers pounced.
Murray was a tackling machine in his three seasons with the Sooners, finishing in the top three in solo tackles in the Big 12 conference each of his last two seasons with 71 in 2018, which ranked third, and 69 in 2019, which ranked second.
Beyond that, Murray piled up 149 assisted tackles in his three seasons which is ninth all-time in Big 12 Conference history. Perhaps most impressively, Murray led the Big 12 in total tackles with 155 in 2018 then followed that up with 102 total tackles in 2019, which ranked fifth. The Patriots allowed the Chargers to get a linebacker the Bolts wanted. Was this Los Angeles's masterstroke, or another typical example of Bill Belichick trading down and getting value?
—
Follow NFL on ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us. Get more on the Patriots.
All of our NFL content can be found on the NFL section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our fantasy football content, click here. Stay in touch with the Patriots.
Follow NFL games live by downloading the ClutchPoints App and heading to the scores tab under the NFL section. Find analysis on the Patriots.
Follow Us
Subscribe