2015 NFL Draft: Evaluating Roster Chances of Every New England Patriots’ Pick
In the immediate aftermath of the draft, it’s easy to get carried away about a player’s potential impact. However, the harsh reality of the NFL is that a chunk of every team’s draft class won’t make it through training camp.
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Let’s use the Patriots’ 2014 draft class as an example.
Out of the nine players drafted by the Patriots last May, six made the roster. Guard Jon Halapio (Florida), defensive back Jemea Thomas (Georgia Tech), and wide receiver Jeremy Gallon (Michigan) got the chop.
After his summer in New England, Halapio spent most of the 2014 regular season on the couch before signing to the Denver Broncos’ practice squad in mid-December.
Thomas is now with the Titans, his fourth team since the Patriots drafted him in the sixth round last spring. The Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams have also given Thomas a shot.
Drafted in the seventh round with little to no expectations to make the roster, Gallon spent most of training camp on the physically unable to perform list before getting cut in late August. He played with the Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental Football League before signing a future contract with the Oakland Raiders on the eve of the New Year.
As you can see, just because a player is drafted by the Pats doesn’t mean he will stay in New England for long. Anything can happen in the NFL.
Let’s evaluate the roster chances of the 11 prospects the Patriots procured from the 2015 NFL Draft.
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