New England Patriots: Revisiting and Grading the Draft: 2008
By Hal Bent
2nd Round #62: Terrence Wheatley, Defensive Back
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
To say Wheatley was a bust who did not meet high expectations is fairly accurate. Wheatley never came close to being the cornerback many fans envisioned when he was drafted. His career over two years was eleven games played, one start, and two passes defended before bouncing out of the league with stops in Jacksonville and Tennessee.
SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED:
One pick after Wheatley, the Giants picked cornerback Terrell Thomas. Although not a star and having suffered through injury issues–he missed two season with ACL injuries–Thomas bounced back with another strong year in 2013. Third round pick (#70 overall) running back Jamaal Charles was probably the best pick in that area. Again, New England likely avoided the position after drafting Laurence Maroney in 2007.
Of course by the end of the second round many teams are not finding a “sure thing”. Defensive back Patrick Lee went to Green Bay a few picks earlier at #60 overall and Chevis Jackson went at #68 overall to Atlanta and neither of them were any better than Wheatley. There are no sure things in the NFL Draft, even in the first round.
GRADE: C-