Patriots draft rugby player in sixth round

The New England Patriots and New York Jets are always trying to one-up each other in the AFC East it seems.

Over the years, there have been many players who have switched from one side of the rivalry to the other, and plenty of gamesmanship on the field and with personnel moves.

Earlier this month, the Jets landed Australian rugby star Hayden Smith, who projects as a tight end prospect.

Now, during the draft, the Patriots have a player with a rugby background of their own, drafting Ohio State's Nate Ebner in the sixth round. Though not a professional rugby player like Smith, Ebner walked on to the Buckeyes football team and played all of three plays in high school and college at his listed position of safety.

But Ebner attracted the Patriots for his special teams work, according to the Providence Journal.

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com

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