The New England Patriots already have a long snapper. It’s Joe Cardona. You know, the two-time Super Bowl champ, team captain and officer in the United States Naval Reserve?
So it was a little bit of a head-scratcher to see New England use a seventh-round pick to take Vanderbilt long snapper Julian Ashby. The Patriots took Ashby with the No. 251 pick, the seventh-to-last selection in the draft.
Having a good long snapper is important. However, it’s rare to see NFL teams use draft picks to acquire one. It’s especially rare when a team has an entrenched, trusted veteran at the position.