3 recent first-round draft picks Bill Belichick definitely wish he could do over
1. 2014 NFL Draft – DT Dominique Easley (29th overall)
Dominique Easley lasted two seasons with the Patriots.
The 2014 NFL Draft was hardly a deep one outside of the first round, but the Patriots really missed the mark here. Dominique Easley, who played his college ball in Florida, appeared in only three games his senior year, yet the Patriots still spent the No. 29 pick on him … before cutting ties after two seasons.
He played just 22 games for the Pats and recorded 25 tackles (six for loss), 13 QB hits and three sacks. Off-the-field issues ended up doing him in, and he’s been out of football since after the 2018 season.
To make matters worse, DeMarcus Lawrence was selected five picks later. Stephon Tuitt went 17 picks after. Hell, if Tom Brady needed offensive help, Davante Adams went No. 53 overall, Allen Robinson went No. 61 and Jarvis Landry went No. 63!
This was no doubt a difficult draft because scouts had to sift through the weeds and find the gems, but they were there! This was the same year the Pats took Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round, only to hold onto him for three years before trading him. Among the other picks? Bryan Stork, James White, Cam Fleming, Jon Halapio, Zach Moore, Jemea Thomas and Jeremy Gallon. Malcolm Butler went undrafted in this one, too.
But folks … that is not a good draft. Only White and Fleming brought any value, and though Stork was good, he retired after two seasons. If the Pats had traded up or down, they could have made a killing. But another bad first-round pick is a big reason why the Patriots are in this current position.
