Overall Draft Grade
The Patriots’ hit some major home runs in 2021 by Jones and Christian Barmore in the first two rounds. The picture is nowhere near as clear this year, as none of their first three picks will likely be guaranteed starter roles. So much of this draft is going to depend on how Strange performs.
While he is an FCS player, you don’t draft someone who will be 24 in his rookie season with the expectation that he’s going to sit on the bench for very long. Going from Austin Peay and East Tennessee State to the Chiefs and Bills will be a major system shock. He’s an amazing athlete, but is that enough?
The New England Patriots had an uneven draft.
Strange is going to determine so much about New England’s plan, but New England did draft two quality athletes in Thornton and Jones. If they end up with a WR3 for Jones and a new nickel back/return ace, that’s not a terrible haul for the second and third rounds.
The Bills are picking up some great pieces despite a lack of capital, the Dolphins landed Tyreek Hill, and the Jets have been recognized as having dominated on the first two days of the draft, Time will tell if Belichick can turn these selections into winners over the next few years.
Grade: C+
3 first-round picks Patriots bafflingly passed on to select Cole Strange
Why did the New England Patriots trade back and select Cole Strange instead of Jermaine Johnson or Devin Lloyd? What exactly happened?