Ranking the Patriots Last 10 First-Round Picks, Worst to Best

7. Cole Strange

Any time another team is caught on video laughing at your draft choice, that might lead to some second-guessing. Cole Strange turned heads when he was drafted by New England with the 29th overall pick. The offensive guard played his collegiate ball at FCS Chattanooga and wasn't expected to go until the third round, as he was ranked as the 86th overall prospect by Pro Football Focus heading into the draft.

Strange started every game as a rookie in 2022, taking the field for 94% of the team's offensive snaps. In New England's disastrous 2023 season, the Patriots' much-maligned offensive line unit was right at the center of the offense's struggles. Strange missed seven games, including the last three games of the year after being carted off with a knee injury in Week 15 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

Strange's spot on this ranking isn't necessarily all his fault, it is just hard to feel like he wouldn't have been available later in the draft and that New England could have spent that pick on an offensive skill position, where the team has been so dry on talent. Similarly to some of the other more recent draft picks on this list, Strange also just hasn't been able to accumulate a substantial body of work yet. If he is able to solidify himself on the Patriots' offensive line unit for the foreseeable future and stay healthy, he will be looking at a spot higher on this list.