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Valley Cottage Indians - Devin McCourty (CB) - Selected by: New England Patriots (1st Round) 2010

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Devin McCourty, CB
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 193 | College: Rutgers

Devin McCourty (born August 13, 1987 in Nanuet, New York) is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers.

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[edit] Early years

McCourty attended Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. He played cornerback and free safety and was an all-league selection in his final two seasons. As a senior he had 50 tackles and three interceptions. He also played basketball as a point guard.

[edit] College career

McCourty attended Rutgers University beginning in 2005. After redshirting his first season, McCourty appeared in all 13 games as a freshman in 2006 and recored 38 tackles and two interceptions. In 2007, McCourty and his twin brother Jason McCourty started at cornerback, with Devin compiling 63 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three blocked kicks on special teams. He was named an All-Big East Conference academic selection in his first two seasons. McCourty started 13 games at cornerback in his 2008 junior season, picking up 57 tackles, one interception, and a blocked punt. In his final season at Rutgers in 2009, McCourty started 13 games at cornerback, while still also working on special teams units. He had a career-high 80 tackles and also recorded one interception and 10 pass deflections. He also averaged 25.4 yards on kickoff returns and had a 98-yard kickoff return, third-longest in school history. Following the season, he was named to the All-Big East first team.



04/26/2010 - New England once again traded its way around the board to find value on the way toward adding 12 players. Most of the picks filled immediate needs at tight end, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive line. But first-round pick cornerback Devin McCourty left some scratching their heads. Overall the Patriots had a solid three-day effort, as Bill Belichick put it, "replenishing" the roster.

04/26/2010 - One thing he has going for him is his 4.42 time in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, but he's rather thin and lacks the bulk (at least right now) to bang heads with stronger, taller receivers. As always, it's anyone's guess where he'll fit. Perhaps the Patriots went with a defensive back not only to address a need but to keep up with the proverbial "arms race" in the AFC East as well. The Jets have asserted themselves as the best defensive team in the division thanks to the acquisition of cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who teams with Darrelle Revis for a formidable 1-2 punch. Once considered the most dangerous defense in the league, let alone the division, the Patriots have been spotty as they've tried to infuse more youth and speed. With McCourty, they'll be faster and younger, but will they be better? This all depends on where he fits. Clearly, the Patriots didn't see much value at No. 22 or 24, nor did they think McCourty would be off the board if they traded down. In addition to adding another young defender, they also acquired a fourth-round pick from Denver and moved up from No. 119 to 90 in the second trade with Dallas.

04/26/2010 - Having NFL bloodlines is generally listed as a positive on a draft prospect's scouting reports, and seemed to carry some weight with the 2010 draft in New England. Three of the Patriots' 2010 draft picks have relatives who currently play in the NFL. First-round pick Devin McCourty's twin brother, Jason, plays for the Tennessee Titans. Second-round pick TE Rob Gronkowski's brother, Dan, is a tight end for the Detroit Lions, and second-round pick LB Brandon Spikes' cousin is San Francisco 49ers LB Takeo Spikes. Devin and Jason are among 11 sets of twins that have been on NFL teams.
04/26/2010 - A closer look at the Patriots' picks: Round 1/27 -- Devin McCourty, CB, 5-11, 193, Rutgers, McCourty is a well-rounded corner with zone and man skills who was also considered one of the best special teams players in the draft.
04/26/2010 - As always the Patriots were active in the trade market on draft weekend. Not only did Bill Belichick and Co. move around the 2010 draft to maximize value and target specific players, but they once again added picks in future drafts. Already holding the Raiders' first-round pick in 2011 thanks to last summer's Richard Seymour trade, New England sent a third-round pick to the Panthers in this year's draft for a second rounder next spring. As it stands today, the Patriots will have four picks in the first two rounds of 2011, the third straight year for the Patriots.

04/23/2010 - Five picks and two trades after we all thought they'd make their first selection of the 2010 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots finally got on the board at No. 27 with -- surprise, surprise! - a defender, though not the one many thought they'd snag. Various mock drafts weighed in during the days leading up to the draft, with some experts guessing the Patriots would go with Texas defensive lineman Sergio Kindle, or perhaps his teammate, safety Earl Thomas - either way, all eyes pointed to a defensive upgrade. In the end, Bill Belichick traded out of the 22nd pick, acquired the No. 24th pick in exchange, and then dealt that selection, too, in order to scoop up Rutgers defensive back Devin McCourty with the 27th overall pick. McCourty certainly fills a need on defense. The Patriots still haven't replaced Asante Samuel - entering his third season with Philadelphia - and they spent last year filling in the blanks on the opposite side, too, after trading away Ellis Hobbs. According to scouting reports, McCourty (5-feet-10, 196 pounds) appears to be much faster than fundamentally sound, which is strange sine Belichick often preaches the virtues of solid ball skills -- a trait McCourty apparently lacks. One thing he has going for him is his 4.42 time in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, but he's rather thin and lacks the bulk (at least right now) to bang heads with stronger, taller receivers. As always, it's anyone's guess where he'll fit. Perhaps the Patriots went with a defensive back not only to address a need but to keep up with the proverbial "arms race" in the AFC East as well.