Amukamara and Dennard formed one of the best cornerback combinations in college football in 2010. The Super Bowl champion Giants picked Amukamara in the first round last year.

Dennard had been projected as high as a second-round pick before getting arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in Lincoln four days before the start of last week's draft. Dennard faces a third-degree felony assault charge.

Amukamara said Dennard has a "hungry mentality" and will be out to prove doubters wrong when he hits the practice field for the Patriots.

Amukamara appeared Tuesday at Boys Town, the home for troubled youth near Omaha.