Patriots Trade 2018 2nd-Round Pick Duke Dawson to Broncos in Surprising Move

Even the mighty Bill Belichick can whiff on a high draft pick.

After using a second-round pick, No. 56 overall, in the 2018 draft on Florida cornerback Duke Dawson, the New England Patriots got literally nothing from him, as a hamstring injury wiped out his 2018-19 season. Dawson became expendable as 2019 rolled around, and Belichick shipped him to the Denver Broncos.

Dawson found himself buried beneath 2018 undrafted free agent JC Jackson and 2019 second round pick Joejuan Williams on the depth chart, which made him easier to cut or trade.

Of course, it's necessary to mention that Dawson, a "bust," was only ostensibly available since the Patriots did such great work finding underrated gems elsewhere during the same draft process.

A feisty slot corner who allowed a completion on less than 40 percent of his targets at Florida, Dawson's average athleticism, questionable long speed, and iffy tackling made trading him a less-than-difficult move.

However, Denver is getting a player who had a strong preseason, punctuated by an interception in his final preseason game.

Just a year and a half ago, Dawson was going to be long-term contributor on the Patriots defense. Fast forward to the present time, and his Patriots career has ended before he ever got in the field in a meaningful game.