New England Patriots select Marcellas Dial in sixth round of 2024 NFL Draft

South Carolina cornerback Marcellas Dial has been selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, taken with the No. 180 overall pick.

The three-year starter for the Gamecocks emerged as a talented option in the secondary after arriving from Georgia Military College prior to the 2021 campaign.

In three years, Dial recorded 114 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss, a sack, three interceptions and 31 passes defended. He picked off three passes during the 2022 campaign, his most productive year getting the ball off the offense.

Dial started in 29 games while at South Carolina.

Prior to enrolling at Georgia Military College, Marcellas Dial was a three-star recruit and the No. 39 recruit in the nation out of the prep school ranks.

He also checked in as the No. 5 cornerback in the class and the No. 2 overall player from the state of Georgia, hailing from Woodruff (SC) Woodruff.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Marcellas Dial

Dial has all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL, checking in at 6 foot, 190 pounds with pretty good reach.

The real question is going to be whether he can polish various aspects of his game enough to prevent them from becoming a liability against much more talented players in the NFL.

Here’s what NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein had to say in evaluating Marcellas Dial as a prospect:

“Man-cover cornerback with adequate size and toughness and above-average speed. Dial has the physical attributes for consideration as a pro, but he needs to improve his technique and pad level to prevent so many pitch and catch throws on the pro level.

“He’s tenacious when the route travels vertically but he’s an inconsistent ball-tracker and relies on face guarding on most throws. Dial’s pre-snap recognition and instincts fall below the mark and his run support is below average. He could be a late-round pick but might struggle to make a team.”