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New England Patriots: Top 10 Non-First Round Picks

By Jamie Gallagher

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (right) with owner Robert Kraft before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (right) with owner Robert Kraft before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 7: Deion Branch

2002 NFL Draft, Round 2 Pick 65

How could we not put a former Super Bowl MVP on this list?

Deion’s regular season numbers as a member of the Patriots don’t exactly jump off the page. But it’s what he’s been able to do in big games – Super Bowls in particular – that has him deserving a spot on this list.

The Patriots drafted pass catchers with their first two picks in the 2002 NFL Draft. They selected Tight End Daniel Graham out of Colorado in the first round, and followed up by drafting Wide Receiver Deion Branch out of Louisville in the second.

Deion spent a total of 7 seasons with the Patriots. 4 seasons to start his career, 3 seasons to end it, and a 5 year stint in Seattle right in between.

As I mentioned before, Branch was never a receiver who put up big numbers in the regular season. His best regular season as a pro came in 2005 when he caught 78 passes for 998 yards and 5 touchdowns. Despite his ability to put up big numbers during the season, Branch became a different receiver whenever the postseason rolled around.

I’m not sure if Deion just kicked it into an extra gear come playoff time, or if he and Tom Brady just had some sort of agreement heading into playoff games and Super Bowls that if Deion caught everything that was thrown his way Tom would buy him a yacht or something. I don’t know, but regardless Deion caught everything that was thrown his way in big games.

In Super Bowl 38 against the Carolina Panthers, Branch caught 10 passes for 143 yards a touchdown. Including a huge 52 yard reception from Tom Brady with just around 30 seconds left in the first half that set the Patriots up for a TD and put them up by 7 heading into halftime.

The following postseason included much of the same for Deion Branch. He notched 116 yards and a touchdown in an AFC Championship victory over the Steelers and then followed up that performance by catching 11 passes for 133 yards in Super 39 against the Philadelphia Eagles, in which Branch was selected as Super Bowl MVP.

Without Branch in 2003 and 2004 the Patriots may not have had the success that they did in the postseason. He was a big reason why the Patriots were able become the dynasty that they were, winning 3 Super Bowls in 4 seasons.

Next: 2006, Rd. 4 Pick 118

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