The Patriots haven’t really drafted well since 2014, and they certainly would be in a different position if they could re-do these picks.
Since 2014, the New England Patriots have largely struck out with their early draft picks. Bill Belichick is very good at finding productive NFL players in the mid-to-late rounds, but the same cannot be said for the first 64 selections.
Why? Well, the Patriots are typically making selections in the 28-32 and the 60-64 range, so it’s not like they have their pick of the litter. Then again, they’ve done almost as bad of a job as you could possibly imagine in selecting talent late in the first and second rounds, and now we’re seeing it come back to bite them in 2020.
Yes, the Pats had eight players opt out due to the pandemic and have had injury troubles on top of that. Nobody asking for the third-stringers to seamlessly transition and start making an impact. However, the issue has been with these higher picks coupled with the lack of longevity from others because they weren’t able to last in New England.
If Bill Belichick could do these three draft picks over, this would be a completely different (and even more dominant) Patriots team.
3. 2019 NFL Draft – WR N’Keal Harry (No. 32 overall)
N’Keal Harry has had injury troubles and has been downright bad for the Patriots.
We hate being Captain Hindsight, but it’s not like the N’Keal Harry selection in 2019 was met with rave reviews. There were constant questions surrounding the pick, especially since Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf were still available. Some might argue it was “too early” to take those guys, but how was it not too early to take Harry?
And sure, we could argue Harry hasn’t exactly gotten a fair shake in New England. He played in only seven games his rookie season due to injuries and never got on the same page with Tom Brady. In his sophomore season, he was already given a new quarterback in Cam Newton, and aside from one good game against the Seahawks, Harry’s shown Patriots fans nothing … and he missed Sunday’s game with another injury.
In 13 career games, the former Arizona State star has 31 receptions for 277 yards and three touchdowns. We’re pretty sure DK Metcalf exceeded those totals this past Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Other wideouts who went after Harry? Mecole Hardman, Diontae Johnson, Terry McLaurin, Darius Slayton, Travis Fulgham … OK we’ll stop now.
2. 2015 NFL Draft – DT Malcom Brown (No. 32 overall)
Malcom Brown didn’t exactly pan out with the Patriots.
Another last-pick-of-the-first-round-selection, defensive tackle Malcom Brown spent four years with the Patriots and recorded 186 tackles (14 for loss), 16 QB hits and 8.5 sacks in 60 games. Then New England declined his fifth-year option and he signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, with whom he’s currently playing.
Whenever you decline a fifth-year option on a first-round pick, you’re pretty much waving the white flag and admitting it’s not a fit. And that’s a shame here because if the Patriots needed a defensive lineman, there were plenty that went after Brown who have had much better careers.
Preston Smith went to the Washington Football Team six picks later. Eddie Goldman went to the Chicago Bears seven picks later. Frank Clark went No. 63 overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Danielle Hunter went No. 88 to the Minnesota Vikings. The Patriots did cash in on Trey Flowers with the second pick of the fourth round, but they let him go in free agency, so does it even matter? We guess, it got them two Super Bowls.
But a wasted first-round pick is especially bad because you lose an extra year of control on that player with the fifth-year option.
This was by no means a sexy draft, but to make matters even worse, the Patriots drafted Brown knowing he had played only 13 career college games (with ONE sack!) across three seasons. Why was this the pick?
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.
One minor deadline day trade with Dolphins proves Patriots have no plan
The NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and the New England Patriots made ONE minor deal with the Miami Dolphins. It makes no senese.