New England Patriots: What is the team’s 2019 NFL Draft strategy?
By Hal Bent
What was the team’s draft strategy last year?
A look back at the 2018 NFL Draft shows how New England operates in relation to the rest of the NFL. Last year there were a number of quarterbacks (five) and offensive linemen (six) taken in the first round, and about half of them had questionable first-round grades. A stable of talented running backs available late in the draft also figured in as a part of the New England strategy.
They selected Isaiah Wynn first at No. 23 overall – who was in queue to start at left tackle before a ruptured Achilles ended his rookie year in the preseason. Wynn was undervalued due to teams being unsure if his position fit was being best suited for guard or tackle; luckily for him, Belichick and the Pats love a versatile player who can sub at multiple positions, so he fell into a perfect situation with New England.
Running back Sony Michel was a home-run pick late at No. 31 overall. Michel was a workhorse when healthy last year, and he carried the team in the playoffs, making a huge impact in all three postseason games. He graded out as the second-best running back in the draft (what were you doing drafting Rashaad Penny, Seattle?), and his draft day drop was probably a result of teams being unsure of his durability after he split time with Cleveland second-round draft pick Nick Chubb at Georgia
Neither position was an overwhelming need for the Patriots, as New England had already traded for a pair of young veterans in Trent Brown at tackle and Jeremy Hill at running back.
However, both college players were available due to outside factors affecting their draft spot, and the Patriots pounced accordingly. As a result, they now have long-term answers at two important positions on offense… provided Wynn makes a full and complete recovery from his Achilles injury, of course.