FOXBORO — With the departure of All-Pro defensive back Asante Samuel, as well as talented cornerbacks Eugene Wilson and Randall Gay, the Patriots went into yesterday’s NFL Draft in need of help in the secondary.

They got it in the form of Terrence Wheatley with their second pick (62nd overall).

The University of Colorado standout made pro scouts take notice as a shut-down corner while playing for the Buffaloes. Wheatley finished his career ranked third in Colorado history with 14 interceptions and tied for seventh in pass deflections (29).

“My style of play I guess is very consistent,” Wheatley said. “I don’t give up a lot of big plays and I try to make as many big plays as possible. I really don’t pattern my game off of anybody, but I do try to learn from pretty much every corner in the league. All of the corners in the league are obviously there for a reason so I definitely try to learn from everybody, so my style of play is kind of a little bit of everything — physical, speed, and smarts.”

Wheatley also excelled on special teams, finishing his career ranked second in kickoff return yards in school history (1,350) and kickoff returns (56). He set single-season records in 2007 for the most kick returns (37) and yards (919).

Wheatley said his versatility was probably a big reason why the Patriots selected him.

Wheatley was one of the fastest players in college football last season, and he had a spectacular showing at the NFL Combine which peaked interest from the Patriots’ scouts.

He finished in the top 10 among cornerbacks in the 40-yard dash (4.37, tied for fifth), vertical jump (36.5 inches, 5th), broad jump (10-feet-8, tied for 4th), 3-cone drill (6.74 seconds, tied for 1st), and 60-yard shuttle (11.58 seconds, 5th).

“Speed kills, especially at this position,” Wheatley said. “It’s very difficult to make plays if you don’t have speed. If you take a false step or anything, your speed has to be able to catch you up and take care of that mistake.”

Wheatley started the first 10 games of the regular season for Colorado at left cornerback until being sidelined for the last two with a hairline fracture in his foot. He returned to start in the Independence Bowl.

Wheatley earned third-team All-America honors from Rivals.com, and was tabbed as a first-team All-Big 12 performer by the Associated Press and the league coaches last season (the coaches selected him as an honorable mention pick at kick returner).

Wheatley was on the official watch list for both the Bronko Nagurski Award — college football’s most coveted defensive player of the year award — and the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the top defensive back in college football each year.

Wheatley finished his college career with 156 tackles, 1½ sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 14 interceptions.

roblee@projo.com