Grading the New England Patriots’ overall 2022 NFL Draft haul
The Patriots’ failure to select any linebackers in 2022 NFL Draft will be costly
Another major issue was the Patriots’ failure to draft any linebackers whatsoever. The team’s linebacking crew in 2021 was slow, vulnerable, and underperforming, with the exception of Kyle Van Noy. Van Noy had a solid, if unspectacular season, and yet was inexplicably released in another head-scratching personnel move.
The Patriots have had chances to draft every one of this year's top linebacker prospects. They've taken none.
— NESN (@NESN) April 30, 2022
Why? Because they're "really excited" about their current group, including one particular 2021 draftee. https://t.co/BqkI1Gwy2N
Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh thinks the linebacking crew is just fine as it is. It’s not. They whiffed completely in not adding any of the top-quality linebackers who were available to them in the draft on a couple of occasions. They went elsewhere and failed to address that need at all.
That was a strategic error, and they will pay the price in the 2022 season because of it.
Others have covered different aspects of the draft in detail in fine fettle. This highlighted just a few overarching issues that derailed the Patriots’ draft in a situation where they had a real opportunity to improve the team. They may have improved somewhat, but not enough to close the chasm that exists between them and the Division-winning and high-flying Buffalo Bills.