New England Patriots: Top 10 Non-First Round Picks
Number 4: Julian Edelman
2009 NFL Draft, Round 7 Pick 232
The Patriots drafted a 3 year starting Quarterback from Kent St. with the 232nd overall pick in the 2009 draft, and turned him into one of the most valuable receivers in the league and Tom Brady’s most trusted target.
Julian Edelman waited in the shadows of Wes Welker for his first few seasons in New England before bursting onto the scene with a huge season in 2013.
That year Edelman caught 105 passes for 1056 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Since then, Minitron has become Tom Brady’s go to man. He has sure hands, he’s elusive, and he is one tough S-O-B. Edelman takes hits that have Patriots fans covering their eyes and cringing, but he gets up with a big smile on his face talks some trash to the opponent and fires up the rest of the offense. He is a spark plug, and there aren’t many players in the league that possess the abilities that Edelman does.
On top of being a leading receiver, Edelman has also returned 4 punts for touchdowns over the course of his career and is recognized as one of the most feared return-men in the league. He has the ability to break one off at any time and his shiftiness and quickness makes him nearly impossible to bring down in the open field.
Patriots fans were pretty upset when the team let Wes Welker walk and join the rival Broncos, but Julian has proved that the team made the right decision. After his first season in Denver, Welker became merely a 3rd option for Peyton Manning. His production declined severely and his health became a major factor, having suffered several concussions over a short time.
Edelman however, has prospered over that time period and at only 29 years old seemingly has a lot of life left in him.
It became apparent just how important Julian Edelman is to this Patriots offense when he missed the final 7 games of the season in 2015 and the offense struggled mightily without him. Julian was on pace for a record year this past season, through the first 9 games he caught 61 passes for almost 700 yards and 7 touchdowns. Had Edelman remained healthy he may have surpassed 110 receptions, 1300 yards, and double digit touchdowns. Marks that would have established Edelman as an All Pro receiver.
Funny how one of the most valuable players on one of the most dominant teams in all of sports was a 7th round pick who played a different position in college. Bill “The Mastermind” Belichick strikes again.
Next: 2002, Rd. 2 Pick 48