The 2019 postseason hopes of the New England Patriots were slashed by the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago in a disappointing AFC Wild Card loss. On Wednesday, the team received another round of unsatisfying news out of the Volunteer State.
According to NewsChannel5 in Nashville, Patriots rookie cornerback Joejuan Williams was reportedly arrested in Cumberland County on Friday, January 17 around 9:30pm EST. Authorities originally stopped the 22-year-old rookie for speeding, however, Williams was later arrested on a variety of charges, including drug possession.
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According to WTVF television in Tennessee, the 22-year-old Williams was stopped Jan. 17 on Interstate 40 in Cumberland County (Tenn.) for speeding, and troopers found an unnamed controlled substance, prescription drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
Patriots spokesperson says the team is aware of Joejuan Williams’ reported arrest but is not commenting on the situation right now.
Williams played his college football at Vanderbilt before entering the 2019 NFL Draft. New England drafted the 6’3,” 212-pound corner in the second round (No. 45 overall). He saw action in nine games this season, recording four total tackles and earning additional playing time on special teams. The Patriots acquired the second-round pick used to select Williams in a trade-up with the Los Angeles Rams. New England sent the 56th and 101st overall picks to L.A. in exchange for the 45th pick.
Gilmore Makes Super Bowl LIV Prediction
Although he’d rather be playing in Super Bowl LIV in the coming weeks, another Patriots cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, has picked New England’s AFC counterpart to win the big game.
“I think Kansas City wins,” Gilmore told ESPN.com. “I just feel like they have a lot of weapons. Mahomes is the — he’s tough to go against. I played against him a lot of times, and he’s the toughest guy I’ve played against since I’ve been playing — besides Tom, but he’s great.”
The eight-year veteran put together his most impressive season in 2019, including an NFL-leading six interceptions and 20 pass breakups, as well as a pair of touchdowns while starting all 16 games. Gilmore was named to his third career Pro Bowl this year and is now drawing Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
Since signing a five-year, $65 million free agent contract with New England prior to the 2017 season, Gilmore and the Patriots have played the Kansas City Chiefs at least one time each season. The Chiefs took the first matchup 42-27 in Week 1 of 2017. In 2018, the Patriots came out ahead in two high-scoring matchups, including an overtime AFC Championship win to advance to Super Bowl 53. A 23-16 loss to Kansas City in Week 14 was one of three defeats New England suffered in their final five games this season, inevitably knocking themselves out of a first-round playoff bye week.
While the former first-round pick never picked off Mahomes in any of the final three matchups they faced off in, he recorded eight total tackles while deflecting a pair of passes. Gilmore’s high praise of Mahomes was also warranted as the MVP signal-caller has posted 930 yards, eight touchdowns, and only three interceptions in three games against Bill Belichick’s defense.
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Patriots’ Second-Round Pick Arrested in Tennessee on Drug Charges: Report