Twitter reacts to Patriots drafting South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong Jr.
The New England Patriots added depth to the running back group in Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft by selecting South Dakota State’s Pierre Strong Jr.
Strong Jr. was the fastest running back in the draft with a 4.37 40-yard dash and he’s coming off a season with 1,673 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. James White is returning from a major hip injury, Damien Harris is on the final year of his contract and Strong Jr. could be the future of the backfield alongside Rhamondre Stevenson.
The Patriots looked to get faster with this year’s draft and they have done that with the selections of Strong Jr., Tyquan Thornton and Marcus Jones.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Patriots’ newest running back.
Strong was crazy productive at South Dakota St. last season. 1,686 rush yards and 18 TDs. Also caught 62 passes for 681 yards and three TDs in his college career, so he has some receiving ability, too.
Patriots had some future ?s at RB with Harris/White entering contract years https://t.co/pSzRZs1o0N
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) April 30, 2022
Patriots go with a sub back in the 4th, as they did in the 4th in 2014 with James White.
It's Pierre Strong out of South Dakota State. One of our Prototypical Pats RBs remaining.
Caught 62 balls in four years. Some fumbling issues (five in '21), drops. But upside as a sub back.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 30, 2022
Patriots select South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong Jr. at No. 127:
🏈 5-foot-11, 207 pounds
🏈 Four-year starter
🏈 4.37 in the 40-yard dash — more speed
🏈 240 rushes for 1,686 yards, 18 TDs in '21
🏈 62 catches for 581 yards in career; developing pass-catcher
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 30, 2022
Speed seems to be the way of the 2022 Draft for the #Patriots. Thornton and Jones last night, and now Pierre Strong today, who had the fastest 40 of any RB in the class. Good player that can make things happen with the ball in his hands.
— Ryan Spagnoli (@Ryan_Spags) April 30, 2022
Patriots RBs
🏈Damien Harris
🏈Rhamondre Stevenson
🏈James White
🏈Pierre Strong Jr.
🏈J.J. Taylor
🏈Devine Ozigbo— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 30, 2022
#Patriots pic.twitter.com/s0quo5ppcV
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 30, 2022
James White is coming off a major hip injury and Damien Harris is entering the final year of his rookie contract. A running back at 127 was definitely a need for the #Patriots and Pierre Strong is a good football player.
— Ryan Spagnoli (@Ryan_Spags) April 30, 2022
Another excellent athlete added. Speed on both sides of the ball a priority.
Tyquan Thornton and Pierre Strong offensively. Marcus Jones and Jack Jones defensively.
Not that straight-line speed is key at guard, but even Cole Strange is a next-level athlete for his position. https://t.co/8rnb4iHT0X
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 30, 2022
I'm no track coach, but pretty impressive he ran as fast as he did with what looked like a labored start. https://t.co/W3tTFi7D1K
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 30, 2022
Here's Pierre Strong's spider chart from his combine workout. Also ran a 6.95-second three-cone at his pro day. Speed and explosiveness at 5-11, 207.https://t.co/sTXvHK9lSw pic.twitter.com/jBaf7dGFs8
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) April 30, 2022
Pierre Strong Jr. has some serious “home run” ability. Crazy speed 🔥👀pic.twitter.com/qPHFsBLorT
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) April 30, 2022
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