The Patriots have taken their first step in upgrading its aging secondary, selecting cornerback Joejuan Williams in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night.

New England chose the former Vanderbilt standout with the No. 45 overall pick. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds he is a physical player that has also showed range in college. He had four interceptions and 14 pass breakups as a junior last season

The Patriots began the night holding two picks in the second round and three in the third. They traded their top pick of the second round (No. 56 overall) and the lowest of their three picks of the third round (101st overall) to the Rams to draft Williams.

He joins a stacked group at cornerback for the Patriots that alreadry includes Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jason McCourty and Keion Crossen.