New England Patriots top two draft picks in 2022 under scrutiny

The New England Patriots made several controversial picks in their 2022 draft one of which was literally laughable for one NFL team. That was the Super Bowl Champion LA Rams who were televised laughing at the Patriots first-round pick.

The Patriots went off-the-grid, meaning reaching for players generally considered to be at a certain round level, and drafting them significantly higher than most predicted.

This is not an unusual occurrence for the Patriots with their, “we know better than anyone else” attitude in personnel matters but it bears a look, especially at their top two picks and how they have performed to date.

They would be first-round guard Cole Strange and second-round wide receiver, Tyquan Thornton. Both were considered significant reaches (taken higher than projected) by the NFL and draft cognoscente. At the midpoint of the season, how have these top two guys performed?

New England Patriots top two picks have been nothing special

Contrary to some opinions elsewhere, this space feels that a team’s top two picks should be solid performers in year one. In the Patriots case, this was especially true since they are not a rebuilding team, having made the playoffs in 2021.

Interestingly, one fourth-round pick has far exceeded expectations. That would be cornerback Jack Jones, one of the team’s three fourth-round picks though slight in build and stature has proven to be a nice pick in the fourth. He was also considered a reach of sorts not necessarily for on-field performance but for off.

Bailey Zappe also proved to be well worth his selection in the fourth round, doing a nice job spelling staring quarterback Mac Jones while he was injured.