New England Patriots: Top 10 Non-First Round Picks
Number 6: Stephen Gostkowski
2006 NFL Draft, Round 4 Pick 118
There aren’t many Coaches/GM’s across the league who would use a 4th round pick on a Kicker, but that’s what makes Bill Belichick the genius that he is. And man did it pay off.
The lone bright spot from what turned out to be probably the worst draft in the last 16 years for the New England Patriots, was Stephen Gostkowski.
In the first round the Pats’ selected Running Back Laurence Maroney. That was a bust. They then decided to take Wide Receiver – and former Urban Meyer Florida Gator Chad Jackson – in the second round. That too was a bust. They spent a 3rd rounder on Tight End David Thomas (also a bust) before selecting Gostkowski in the 4th round.
Gostkowski had some big shoes to fill after the departure of Patriots legend Adam Vinatieri, but he has been able to fill the shoes and then some.
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He is now considered by many the best kicker in the NFL. He has led the league in scoring 5 times, he is a 4 time Pro Bowler and twice has been selected as a first team all-pro.
Gostkowski has missed one extra point in the regular season in his entire career and it came in his rookie season. Up until this postseason, that had been the only extra point he missed in general.
The 32 year old will now be heading into his 11th season with the Patriots. He may only be a kicker but there’s no question that Gostkowski is a leader on this team and a valued veteran in the locker-room.
Next: 2013, Rd. 2 Pick 52?