MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — One pick after Will Grier was taken in the NFL Draft, one of his chief protectors followed him into the league. Left tackle Yodny Cajuste was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 101st overall selection, which was the penultimate pick of the third round.
After no Mountaineers went in the first 99 picks, Grier and Cajuste were picked back-to-back.
Cajuste, a Miami native, overcame knee injuries in the first two years of his college career to start in his junior and senior seasons.
Like Grier, Cajuste sat out this year’s Camping World Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft — a move that appears to have paid off for both players.
Injury concerns limited Cajuste from doing drills at the combine or pro day, but he did impress scouts with 32 reps in the bench press.
As far as a landing spot, Cajuste could do little better than what is arguably the most stable organization in professional sports. The Patriots are coming off their sixth Super Bowl win with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, and their third in the last five seasons.
Unlike Grier, who is stuck behind Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, Cajuste may be able to play right away. New England’s listed starter at left tackle, Isaiah Wynn, is coming off his rookie season and did not start a game last year. Previous starter Trent Brown signed with Oakland as a free agent.
The winner of the competition between Wynn and Cajuste will be tasked with keeping the 42-year-old Brady clean as the Patriots attempt to make another Super Bowl run.