It took until the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft before the New England Patriots selected a defensive player. With glaring holes on offense, that side of the ball was rightly the focus through the first two days of selections.
But when it finally came time to add a defender the Pats tabbed cornerback Marcellas Dial of South Carolina, a ball-hawking and experienced cornerback from the SEC who, despite his draft status, has an opportunity to not only make the 53-man roster in New England but carve out a role for himself on defense.
A native of South Carolina, Dial spent his early days at Woodruff High School, earning three varsity letters in football and two each in basketball and track.