Who makes the exclusive cut for our All-Decade Team of the 2010s for the New England Patriots? We’ve got the answers below…
Through consistency, being active in the trade and free agency markets, and steady drafting, the New England Patriots have put together some great teams over the last 10 years.
Who makes the 2010s All-Decade Team for the New England Patriots, though?
Let’s start with offense. If I were to assemble a legitimate offense of the past decade, I’d go with the now more traditional three wide receiver set, five linemen with one tight end, and a running back to accompany Tom Brady.
For the defense, I’d run a 4-3-4. Mainly that’s because it was challenging to come up with an All-Decade defensive team for the New England Patriots during the 2010s. But I also wanted to keep it realistic as if this team could play a season.
This was a difficult list to make, as the players of the 2010s decade brought a lot of success to the New England Patriots. Let us know in the comments section at the end of the article what you think – whether you agreed with my selections or not!
Quarterback – Tom Brady
There’s obviously no debate when it comes to the quarterback for the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady.
Tom Brady was drafted in 2001 and has led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl victories over his impressive 20-year career with the franchise. Brady is also on the verge of throwing for the most touchdowns in NFL history (541).
During his time in the NFL, Brady has risen to the heights of being named the greatest quarterback of all time… and potentially the greatest football player of all time as well, regardless of position.
Running Back – James White
The New England Patriots have only drafted five running backs throughout the last decade: Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, James White, Sony Michel, and Damien Harris.
James White was drafted in 2014 and has been one of the most productive players on the roster. Until the very end of the 2019 regular season during a series of crazy laterals in the loss to Miami, White had never fumbled the ball on a possession during his NFL career.
He is a major threat in the passing game. White’s 24 receiving touchdown’s lead the league for running backs since 2014.
White has also quietly emerged as a team leader, and was named a captain in 2018. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion and easily could have been named MVP for his efforts in Super Bowl LI.
White was by far the most productive running back for the New England Patriots throughout his six seasons in the decade.
Rob Gronkowski
There will probably never be another tight end who will be able to replicate what Rob Gronkowski was able to do on the field.
Drafted by the Patriots in 2010, Gronkowski altered the position and changed the game for tight ends. To go along with Gronk’s 7,861 career receiving yards, his 79 career receiving touchdowns is the most by any player in Patriots franchise history.
Gronk helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls and is a member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team. Gronk is by far one of the most dominant players in NFL history, and arguably the greatest tight end to ever play the game as well.
Wide Receiver – Julian Edelman
The New England Patriots have largely been unsuccessful when it comes to drafting wide receivers. But one player they didn’t miss out on was Julian Edelman.
Edelman was drafted by the Pats in 2009 and literally carved a role out for himself in a Bill Belichick-led dynasty. From being a specialist to a fill-in role player (including on defense), Edelman has become one of the greatest Patriots ever.
Over the course of his career, Jules has also been a beast in the playoffs. Becoming Brady’s best target in the playoffs, Edelman has risen to second all-time in career playoff yards (1,412), only behind Jerry Rice (2,245) on the hallowed list.
Edelman is now a three-time Super Bowl champion as well as a Super Bowl MVP. Jules will undoubtedly go down as one of the best players in the history of the New England Patriots.
Wide Receiver – Wes Welker
It seems like it’s been a century since we’ve seen or heard from him, but Wes Welker needs to make this All-Decade team. Unfortunately he never earned a ring, but Welker was one of the most productive players in the entire NFL when he was with New England.
He was only on the team for three seasons, but he racked up over 1,000 yards twice and made the Pro Bowl in all three seasons. In 2010 Welker had 88 receptions, he had 122 receptions in 2011, and he had 118 receptions in 2012.
During his three seasons with the Pats, Welker would total 7,459 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns. Welker helped evolved the ‘slot’ wide receiver position in the NFL.
Wide Receiver – Danny Amendola
It’s hard not to mention Danny Amendola with the Patriots in the last decade. Amendola came to New England in the first place as a replacement for Wes Welker.
During the playoffs in 2014, Amendola had 11 catches, 137 yards, and three touchdowns (including one in the Super Bowl). In the 2016 Super Bowl, Amendola had eight catches, 78 yards, one touchdown, and a two-point conversion. In the 2017 playoffs, Amendola caught 26 passes, 348 yards, and two touchdowns.
During his time in New England, Amendola proved to be not only reliable, but a clutch player in critical times. Brady would often look his way, especially in the red zone. “The Dola” would go on to finish the decade playing five seasons with the Pats and accumulating a total of 2,383 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with two Super Bowl championships.
Left Tackle – Matt Light
When I think of the offensive tackle position as a whole for the New England Patriots, the first name to come to mind is Matt Light.
At 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Light was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 Draft and spent his entire 11-year career with New England.
From 2002-2011, Light started every game at the position and protected Tom Brady’s blindside for his entire career. He set the bar for the future linemen of the offense.
Light was an important part of three Super Bowl teams and was named to three Pro Bowls along the way.
Right Tackle – Sebastian Vollmer
The New England Patriots drafted a 6-foot-8, 320 pound right tackle in the second round of the 2009 Draft, the German-American offensive tackle out of Houston, Sebastian Vollmer.
I remember when Vollmer first came into the league, we were all amazed at how big he was on the offensive line. He would control the tackle position for the better part of eight seasons. Vollmer was a monster on the O-line and was a big part of protecting Brady during the Super Bowl in 2014.
Vollmer would become a second-team All Pro and a two-time Super Bowl champion. Vollmer is much deserving of this list.
Left Guard – Joe Thuney
The New England Patriots selected Joe Thuney in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He won the starting job as a rookie and has started every game since 2016.
Per Pro Football Focus, Joe Thuney has been a top-10 left guard in the NFL for the last three seasons, and has been a top-5 player in his position for the last two seasons. He brings a high level of grit and toughness to the offense the same way guys like Matt Light, Dan Koppen, and Logan Mankins once did.
Now a two-time Super Bowl champion, Thuney is set to become a free agent in 2020 and should be in for a big payday.
Right Guard – Shaq Mason
At 6-foot-1 and 300 pounds, Shaq Mason has been a solid/reliable starter and protector for Tom Brady and his offense. Until Mason was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots didn’t have any consistency at the position.
In five seasons with the Pats, Mason has only committed nine penalties throughout his career. Shaq has become a landmark on the Patriots offensive line and is deserving of being on this list.
He was an All-Pro in 2018 and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Center – David Andrews
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I’m going with David Andrews.
The New England Patriots picked up Andrews as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015. He has 57 starts in his 60 career games in the NFL. Andrews has only seen success in his career, as he’s helped lead the Patriots to the postseason in each of his four seasons.
He is now a two-time Super Bowl champion. David has solidified himself as the best center in the last decade for the New England Patriots.
Unfortunately, Andrews found blood clots in one of his lungs this offseason, and his future is now uncertain.
Defensive Tackle – Vince Wilfork
With their first round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots would select a 6-foot-2, 325-pound defensive tackle who would later become a staple of the franchise: Vince Wilfork.
Wilfork was like a fine wine throughout his career; meaning he only got better with age. It would often require two offensive linemen to contain Wilfork, and sometimes even that wasn’t enough to slow the big man down.
Wilfork was a team favorite and he always led by example. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2012, second-team All-Pro on three occasions (2007, 2010, 2011), and he made five Pro Bowl teams. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and is one of the all-time great Patriots.
Defensive Tackle – Lawrence Guy
Lawrence Guy has only been with the Patriots for the better part of three years, but he needs to be on this list. After being with three different teams before landing in New England, Guy has proved all of his doubters wrong.
Being a Patriot is all about consistency. Since he’s been with the Patriots, Guy has started in 46 of 48 games and has accumulated 178 tackles. He has one Super Bowl ring with the Pats (LIII).
Guy is versatile, gets the job done, and is the perfect prototypical Patriot. Guy is a monster on the D-line and makes his presence known with authority every time he laces up his cleats.
Defensive End – Trey Flowers
Trey Flowers was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round in 2015 and quickly worked his way into a starting role. Flowers logged in 37 starts in 46 games on a defensive front that dealt with a lot of moving pieces. He would rack up 164 tackles (25 for a loss) and 21 sacks during his time with the Pats.
Flowers became one of the most dependable players on the defense during his time in New England and was able to set the edge and do his job well. Flowers is a two-time Super Bowl champion and PFF named him a second-team All-Pro in 2018.
Flowers would sign a contract with the Detroit Lions in 2019 to play for his former coordinator Matt Patricia.
Defensive End – Rob Ninkovich
Surprisingly, Rob Ninkovich bounced around throughout his career before landing a spot on New England’s roster in 2009.
Ninkovich was a true menace rushing off the edge and causing havoc to opposing offenses. He impressively started every game for the Patriots during his final six seasons with the team.
Ninko would finish his Patriots career with 469 tackles (55 for a loss), 46 sacks, and five interceptions. Oftentimes Bill Belichick has referred to him as both a smart and a great football player. Before retiring in 2016, Ninkovich earned two Super Bowl rings.
Linebacker – Jerod Mayo
Jerod Mayo was selected 10th overall in 2008 and played five seasons in the decade. Mayo lived up to the heights of being a first-round draft pick immediately by becoming the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008.
He was a first-team All-Pro in 2010, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2012. Mayo ranks sixth all time for the most solo tackles in franchise history with 536 (802 tackles total). He would also tally 10.5 sacks from 2010-2015.
Mayo unfortunately wasn’t able to get all the rings he deserved, but he did win one. Mayo retired early and is now the inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots.
Linebacker – Dont’a Hightower
Dont’a Hightower has been a staple in the organization since being drafted in the first round in 2012. After playing for a longtime friend of Bill Belichick in Nick Saban at Alabama, Hightower has been a perfect fit for the New England Patriots and Belichick’s defensive system.
Since 2014, Hightower has started every game he’s been available for the Pats, and he wears that No. 54 jersey with great pride (just like Teddy Bruschi did before him). From just about the beginning of his career, Hightower has been the leader of the defense, and he ensures everyone is doing their job.
The Patriots have designed their defense to be built around the dynamic linebacker. Hightower is a three-time Super Bowl champion. He ranks 17th all time in franchise history with 317 solo tackles (505 total).
Linebacker – Jamie Collins
The Patriots got a steal in the draft in 2013 when they selected Jamie Collins in the second round, as he is easily a first-round caliber linebacker.
Very early on we saw how versatile and athletic Collins is. He could cover tight ends and stay with receivers step for step going down the field. The Patriots have always valued the services of Collins even if the paycheck shows otherwise, and that’s why the team brought him back this season via free agency.
Collins has spent five seasons total with the Pats and has made 533 tackles, eight interceptions, and 17.5 sacks in his Patriots career.
Collins is also a two-time Super Bowl champion and was a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl linebacker in 2018. Although he left the team due to financial differences, Jamie Collins needs to be on this list.
Safety – Devin McCourty
The defense is not successful over the last 10 years without Devin McCourty. McCourty was drafted as a cornerback in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Rutgers.
Devin was an All-Pro at corner and it wasn’t until about 2013 that he was moved to free safety. The football IQ of DMC is extremely high, and he would later become a Pro Bowl player at two different positions (cornerback and safety).
He’s been voted a team captain almost every year since his second season in the league. To talk about his reliability to the team, DMC has impressively started every game since his rookie season and has near 800 career tackles and 26 interceptions. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest to wear a Patriots uniform.
Safety – Patrick Chung
This may come across as surprising, but Patrick Chung has spent 10 years in total with the New England Patriots. The Pats drafted him in the second round back in 2009.
After a brief stint in Philadelphia, he rejoined the team in 2014 and has owned the safety position next to McCourty ever since. Chung has always been both reliable and durable throughout his career, and since 2014, Chung has impressively racked up close to 500 tackles.
Chung is a great football player who can do it all. We’ve seen him play both defensive back positions, linebacker, special teams, and return punts. Chung is a specialist and that is Bill Belichick’s favorite type of football player. There is no question of putting him on this list.
Cornerback – Malcolm Butler
This All-Decade team wouldn’t be complete without including Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler.
Butler was picked up by the Pats in 2014 as an undrafted rookie free agent. He would go on to make the play of the century by way of a game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks, which handed the New England Patriots their first Lombardi Trophy in a decade.
All of New England is forever grateful for Malcolm Butler. In four short seasons with the team, Butler would tally 205 tackles and 47 pass deflections en route to becoming a two-time Super Bowl champ and a Pro Bowl player.
Cornerback – Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore arrived in New England via free agency during 2017 with a hefty five-year, $65 million contract.
In his short three seasons with the Patriots, Gilmore has become arguably the best cornerback in the NFL and has made a great case for himself to win Defensive Player of the Year for the 2019 season.
Throughout the entire season, Gilmore has impacted every game by shutting down the opposing team’s best wide receiver. Gilmore has helped lead the 2019 defense to be considered one of the best in NFL history.
Gilmore’s three seasons with the Pats consist of 148 tackles, 10 interceptions, 49 pass break-ups, and a Super Bowl ring.