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Patriots’ draft failures have resulted in a roster thin on young talent

By Stephen Sheehan

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Derek Rivers has not been able to stay healthy in his young career.
Derek Rivers has not been able to stay healthy in his young career. /

Patriots’ 2017 NFL Draft class

Talk about a complete zero.

New England made just four selections in the 2017 NFL Draft, and they have gotten next to nothing out of all of them. Derek Rivers and Antonio Garcia went 83rd and 85th overall, but the two trench players never materialized.

Garcia looked like a promising left tackle prospect with all the physical tools to excel. Unfortunately, blood clots in his lungs left him sidelined for his entire rookie season, and he was released the following spring before ever playing a down.

It hasn’t been much better for Rivers, who seemed to fit the Patriots’ prototype for the EDGE position. The physically imposing small-school star has played just six games in three seasons due to multiple injuries, and he’s a long-shot to make the 2020 roster.

Deatrich Wise is the only contributor from this class, and even he has been on a disappointing career arc. After making an impact as a sub-package rusher as a rookie, Wise has watched his snaps decline over the past two seasons. In 2019, he committed a career-high seven penalties despite playing a career-low 229 defensive snaps.

Chalk this draft class up as an epic fail for Belichick and the personnel department.

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