Patriots start Day 3 with Georgia receiver Malcolm Mitchell

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots have started off what could be a big day at the NFL draft by taking Georgia receiver Malcolm Mitchell.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Mitchell also returned punts for the Bulldogs.

The Patriots have eight picks on the third day of the NFL draft, including five in the sixth round. Player personnel boss Nick Caserio said on Friday night that the team might not even have space on the roster for all the selections.

Having lost their first-round pick as part of their ''Deflategate'' punishment, the Patriots picked up four players on the draft's second day. Among them was a quarterback who could serve as a backup while Brady serves a four-game suspension.

North Carolina State's Jacoby Brissett would back up Jimmy Garoppolo.

Brady made an appearance of sorts at draft headquarters in Chicago. Former Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was tabbed to announce the team's third-round pick. He strode to the podium, unbuttoned his jacket to reveal a No. 12 jersey and then name-dropped the three-time Super Bowl MVP.

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