New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has praised the all-round qualities of the club's first-round Draft pick Dominique Easley.

The Patriots chose Easley 29th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft to bolster the options on their defensive line despite an injury-hit season with the Florida Gators.

Belichick told reporters: "He's a versatile guy who has played different positions along the defensive line. He's a very disruptive player and he showed up against good competition; a very explosive player.

"In college, I would say his stats might have been a little bit deceiving because a lot of times he was the disruptive person on the play, but he wasn't the guy who ended up making the tackle, or it wouldn't be on the stat sheet.

"I think he has a good knack for that. He's smart, very instinctive, and definitely into football; an 'all-in' guy. There's not much to not like about him."

Easley recorded 72 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his four years with the Gators.