Since Eliot Wolf became the unofficial general manager for the Patriots, there has been a lot to say about his decisions in the NFL Draft. As we know, besides Drake Maye, the 2024 draft class was an absolute disaster. Just two years later, the quarterback is the only player remaining on the team.
But in the two years since, the players selected have been far better, maybe due to Mike Vrabel's influence, and we're seeing the fruits of that labor on a weekly basis this year.
From Will Campbell and Craig Woodson to Gabe Jacas and Eli Raridon, it's clear that Foxboro's scouting department and ultimate decision-makers made the right picks, and their roster will thrive moving forward.
At the same time, some of the players they chose who appear to be struggling, most notably and most recently TreVeyon Henderson, have many looking back at those they passed on at running back, one of whom was on full display in their Week 7 game against the Bears last Thursday.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III had a career night against a depleted Patriots defense, catching 4 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 32.5 yards per catch, dominated New England's weakened secondary, and exploited their season-high missed-tackle rate, proving that passing on him last year might have been a mistake.
On top of that, they're without two receivers for a few more games, so having Burden in the lineup would've been significant.
Luther Burden put on a show for the Patriots in Week 7 that they couldn't ignore
Given how needy the offense has been for years, the Vrabel era began by improving the roster around Maye, starting with the first four 2025 picks going to offensive players. They followed that up with 5 of their 9 picks last year on offense, too, but didn't select a wide receiver this time.
They brought in Kyle Williams a year ago, and while he was noted for his speed, the Patriots haven't fully integrated him into their game plan so far, making Burden's rise even more frustrating to watch.
On top of that, Henderson's weaknesses are becoming increasingly apparent week by week, with many analysts now wondering whether he was the right pick and whether it's time to move on from him after just two years.
Those struggles were on full display against the Bears last Thursday, with the running back getting a season-low snap count and recording just 3 carries for 9 yards. His vision and inability to break through tackles were major problems, and now his future is in question, especially as Rhamondre Stevenson gets older.
That makes Burden's breakout this season even more frustrating for Patriots fans to watch, as he's on pace to blow his rookie season production out of the water. He totaled just 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns last year, and at his current pace this year, he's projected to surpass 1,000 receiving yards and has already matched last year's touchdown total.
With Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins on the shelf, A.J. Brown missing four games and taking a bit longer to get back into the swing of things, and the rest of the receiving corps having inconsistent breakout moments, the Patriots could use a performer like Burden as a reliable option for Maye.
Not to mention, watching Stefon Diggs thrive with the Commanders and Kayshon Boutte almost get pushed off the Texans' depth chart after being traded there makes the situation even worse, because they could have used those efforts to build a more effective offense.
At least, if they had Burden, who might have been overlooked going into the 2025 Draft, they could be reaping the rewards of his development and superstar rise this season. He was on the board when they selected Henderson, but now they have to watch him succeed with the Bears instead.
Normally, the Patriots wouldn't think much about it, since they have some talented players in their receiver room. But if Henderson struggles and they don't keep him for his full rookie contract, passing on Burden will look even worse.
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