New England Patriots: Revisiting and Grading the Draft: 2010

Oct 13, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Brandon Deaderick (92) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

7th Round  #208 overall: tackle Thomas Welch

7th Round  #247 overall: defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick

7th Round  #248 overall: defensive tackle Kade Weston

7th Round  #250 overall: quarterback Zac Robinson

Bill Belichick went into the seventh round with two picks (#229 and #231 overall) but he traded those to Washington for the first pick of the last round. He used that pick on tackle Thomas Welch. New England also had three compensatory picks at the end of the draft. Belichick was basically taking the undrafted free agents they wanted before anyone else could scoop them up.

Welch was waived by the Patriots and declined a practice squad spot to sign onto Minnesota’s practice squad. He was cut the next year and landed on the New England practice squad this time. Welch got on the field for two games in 2011 and started in week four at right tackle/blocking tight end against Oakland and played the next week as well. He was released later and landed in St. Louis via Buffalo’s practice squad. After being claimed off waivers by Philadelphia he landed in Buffalo for two seasons. He was signed by New Orleans before training camp but was not active in 2014.

Sep 15, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tackle Thomas Welch (66) during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

New England went one for three with their final three picks. Deaderick was a serviceable player for a few seasons before being released after the 2012 season. New England got 14 starts, 32 tackles and 5 sacks out of Deaderick in his three seasons. Weston and Robinson never played in New England though Robinson hung around in Cincinnati as a third-stringer for a few years.

SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED:

The top undrafted free agent of 2010 was someone New England should have had their eyes on as he starred in state: wide receiver Victor Cruz. The thought of having Cruz and Welker or Cruz and Edelman both lining up in the slot would have been a sight to behold. There was also running back LeGarrette Blount. New England could have simply drafted him in the seventh round with one of their four picks instead of trading for him, letting him go, and then signing him again.

GRADE: B

Any seventh round pick that contributes to a playoff team is a good pick. Welch was a serviceable back-up and Deaderick was big body who filled in at times. Overall, it was a successful seventh round for New England.

Next: Overall