A look at the New England Patriots second-round picks in the Bill Belichick era.
The departure of Tom Brady makes it even more essential that the New England Patriots 2020 draft deliver contributing players to the team.
The Patriots have a first round pick in this year’s draft but no second round pick. This pick was traded in-season in 2019 for Mohammed Sanu.
Sanu has been a productive player in the past, but a high ankle sprain, ultimately requiring post-season surgery, hampered his play for much of the season.
So the Patriots have no second round pick in 2020. While this may be considered regrettable by some New England Patriots fans, their mixed track record in this round should make these disconsolate fans feel better. Here’s a brief rundown of their second round picks under Bill Belichick.
Great New England Patriots’ second round pick since 2000
There is one pick since 2000 (and really since 1960) in the second round that supersedes all others. Maybe combined. It’s Rob Gronkowski selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Gronk is the greatest tight end ever in the NFL. He was a great pass catcher, almost un-coverable. He was too big for defensive backs and too fast for linebackers. A veritable unstoppable machine and a major component in the New England Patriots second round of three Super Bowl-winning seasons. Simply the Best to Ever Play the Game.
A great pick in 2010.
The good New England Patriots second round picks since 2000
Several good players emerged from second round picks as noted by Pro Football Reference selected by New England over the past 20 years. They are:
Jimmy Garoppolo 2014: 2 1/2 years in New England before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a second round pick. Super Bowl Quarterback for San Francisco in 2020. Presumptive heir to Tom Brady. Didn’t happen.
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Jamie Collins 2013: A two-time Patriot with good production with 4 1/2 of his 7 years in the league with New England. He has now left the Patriots for the second time, this time for Detroit.
Shane Vereen 2011: A solid receiving back for new England for 3 years.
Patrick Chung 2009: 10 of his 11 years in the league with New England. Still under contract and after returning from Philadelphia, a solid contributor when healthy.
Sebastian Vollmer 2009: A serviceable offensive tackle for New England for 6 years.
Deion Branch 2002: Excellent receiver. Another who left and returned to the team. A Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXXIX against Philadelphia for New England. The Best of the Good picks.
Matt Light 2001: a very solid offensive left tackle for for New England for 11 seasons.
The lost second round picks by the New England Patriots since 2000
Below is the lengthy grouping of New England Patriots second round picks under Bill Belichick since 2000 who have not made the grade (at least in the case of Joejuan Williams, yet).
Joejuan Williams 2019; Duke Dawson 2018; Cyrus Jones 2016; Jordan Richards 2015; Aaron Dobson 2013; Tavon Wilson 2012; Ras-I Dowling 2011; Jermaine Cunningham 2010; Brandon Spikes 2010; Ron Brace 2009; Darius Butler 2009; Terrence Wheatley 2008; Chad Jackson 2006; Marquise Hill 2004; Eugene Wilson 2003; Bethel Johnson 2003; Adrian Klemm 2001.
That’s 17 second round picks of New England who have fallen short of the value usually ascribed to picks at that high level.
Several have moved on to have some success elsewhere. Have these poor picks caused major harm to the Patriots during the years they had the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL? I’d say, YES indeed.
My view, poor personnel decisions have certainly impeded the Patriots during the Brady era from winning additional Super Bowls during his New England career. The draft is an inexact science – more of a crap-shoot really. All teams miss on draft picks. But the New England Patriots have missed on a bunch in the second round.
What do you think of the New England Patriots performance in this important round of the annual NFL player draft the last 20 years, the Tom Brady years?