Saints Select Martez Wilson & Johnny Patrick On Day Two Of NFL Draft

With their two picks in the third round of the NFL Draft, on Friday night, the New Orleans Saints selected Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson, and Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick. See the story, below.

Martez Wilson #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks on the field during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium November 10, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.  Illinois defeated Ohio State 28-21.

The New Orleans Saints went for help on the defensive side of the football in day two of the NFL Draft, on Friday, selecting Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson, and Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick.

Both players were selected in the third round.

New Orleans gave up their second round pick in a trade, 0n Thursday, with the New England Patriots, when the Saints traded up to the first round to select Alabama running back Mark Ingram. The Saints did have an extra third round selection, which they acquired from the Washington Redskins, in a trade last year for offensive tackle Jamal Brown.

With the eighth pick in the third-round, and the 72nd selection overall, the Saints took Wilson, a 6:4, 250 pound linebacker, who spent most of his collegiate career playing inside linebacker, but did spend some time rushing the passer on the edge.

Wilson was in on 112 tackles for the Fighting Illini in 2010, including 47 solo stops. He also had four sacks, and one interception, and was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection.

Wilson was a fourth-year junior in 2011. He was granted a medical hardship in 2009, after suffering a herniated disk in the season-opener that year.

Later in the third-round, with the 24th pick of the round, and the 88th overall, the Saints took Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick.

Patrick, 5:11, 190, was a senior for the Cardinals in 2010, and a three-year starter during his collegiate career. He was in on 49 tackles, and had five interceptions.