New England Patriots: 5 rookies who will make immediate impacts in 2020

Anfernee Jennings a steal for the New England Patriots.

Selected with the No. 87 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, New England Patriots rookie linebacker Anfernee Jennings has a certain edge to him and the team will see his impact almost immediately.

A third-round pick with first round size (6-foot-2, 259 pounds) and talent, Jennings will be the latest player to make the jump from Nick Saban’s Alabama program to Bill Belichick and the Patriots.

That experience alone will help Jennings make a successful transition from college to the pros, but he will also have the benefit of playing behind and learning from a fellow Alabama alum Dont’a Hightower.

With a nice combination of strength and versatility, Anfernee Jennings is actually much like Hightower in that he is an overpowering force who does like quickness.  But that ability to set the edge along with his competitive nature will make him an instant fan favorite once his snaps increases.

Also, as a player who has seen his production in college limited due to injury, his best days are ahead of him and he is a player who will flourish under Bill Belichick much like a Trey Flowers.

In all, Anfernee Jennings is one of those Day 2 picks that we will all look back on and say Belichick and the New England Patriots hit the jackpot.  How quickly in the season that he makes an impact will depend of course on how quickly he picks up the defense.