Although Bill Belichick has been gone from the Patriots for a year and a half now, his problematic drafting continues to plague the team as they hope to turn things around as soon as the 2025 season.
That has become even more apparent with roster cuts looming, and the most obvious players to be let go are recent draft picks that probably shouldn't have been on the roster in the first place. And unfortunately, adding to that was Jerod Mayo's regime during the 2024 offseason, one that Eliot Wolf has already taken blame for and rightfully so.
The GM emphasized their draft strategy changed this year, as they planned to go after the best player available rather than solely for need, which is what they are said to have done last year. The hope is that it will turn out for the better, which it appears to have already done.
But it's hard to let go of the failures of the 2024 draft class outside of Drake Maye, especially when reminded about the trade that landed them receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, and who the Chargers received from those picks.
The Patriots draft woes continue to be a problem for their roster outlook
With the news of Polk landing on season-ending injured reserve last week, Patriots fans took to social media to dwell on the trade that landed the team two receivers who have yet to make a positive impact on the offense.
It's another painful reminder of what could have been, especially since one of the players the Chargers were able to draft, WR Ladd McConkey, had long been lauded as the perfect future Patriot, and he demonstrated that with a masterful performance against New England last year.
This trade looks worse and worse every day https://t.co/7QCZCKJHZK pic.twitter.com/PcqSxr17TE
— Drake Maye Lover (@drakemayeloverr) August 21, 2025
For the season, McConkey recorded 82 receptions for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns. To make matters worse, the other player the Chargers received from the trade, CB Tarheeb Still, also impressed as a rookie by recording 62 combined tackles, one for a loss, 0.5 sacks, four interceptions returned for 85 yards and a touchdown, and ten passes defended.
Although cornerback might not have been a significant need, the Patriots were unlikely to be looking at Still. However, this highlights the massive difference in production that they receive from their picks compared to the Chargers.
It will be the worst possible scenario if Baker and Polk never play another snap for New England, too, which is looking more and more likely with final roster cuts nearing. The hope, of course, is that it won't be the case with the 2025 class, but there's not much optimism that it won't be their inevitable fate.