The Patriots weren't known for being incredible drafters throughout the two decades of the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era. It became a smudge on Belichick's resume, a fault that followed him until his final season in New England, regardless of how many successful rosters he built over the years.
Because of the incredible success they saw during the Dynasty years, their positioning early in the draft wasn't always the most desirable. They almost always picked late in the first round, and from there on it is considered a crap-shoot for any team.
Although Belichick didn't consistently hit it out of the park with his selections, he did get lucky with players who were considered draft steals and became integral parts of the team's legendary run.
Ten players stand out the most when reflecting on the best steals during the Belichick era, one of which was selected just last year in what would be the coach's final draft with New England.
10 of the Patriots' best draft steals during the Bill Belichick era
Christian Gonzalez - Round 1, pick 17 in 2023)
During the months leading up to the 2023 Draft and the hundreds of mock drafts published by analysts and fans to project who the Patriots would select, there seemed to be one factor that remained throughout; they wanted to see a cornerback or offensive tackle taken.
The Patriots held the 14th overall pick, putting them in an excellent spot to get a solid player at either position. For the most part, the top two cornerbacks became the most desirable, Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon looked like the one who would fall to them on draft night, with Gonzalez going off the board in the top 5 in most predictions.
That's not what happened, though, as the Seahawks took the University Of Illinois alum with the 5th overall pick. He was the first cornerback off the board, making it seem extremely doubtful that Gonzalez would somehow fall to New England nine picks later.
Somehow, he did but Belichick decided to trade back with the Steelers, swapping the 14th pick for the No. 17. And miraculously, Gonzalez was still available when they were on the clock, a shocking turn of events that even the most seasoned draft expert didn't anticipate.
He was immediately labeled an absolute steal for the Patriots and went on to prove exactly why every team that picked before them should regret passing on him at the start of his rookie season. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in Week 4, but he impressed in every game beforehand and is expected to pick up where he left off at the start of the 2024 season later this year.
10 of the Patriots' best draft steals during the Bill Belichick era
Mike Onwenu - (Round 6, pick 182 in 2020)
Like many of the remaining picks on this list, Belichick tended to really strike gold with players beyond round four, a testament to his eye for talent and unique understanding of all that a player could be based on their tape, no matter how good or bad it might be.
To say they got a steal when drafting Mike Onwenu in 2020 would be an understatement, to say the least, as he has since become the most prominent piece of the Patriots offensive line in the years since.
He earned a new contract this offseason to remain as the team's starting right tackle and was expected to be the most pursued tackle in free agency had he tested the market. But because he's continued to be the most consistent lineman on the team, Jerod Mayo made sure to keep him around longer.
Through four seasons, he's allowed just nine sacks and nine hits on the quarterback, which has seen a lot of turnover in the four year's he's been in Foxboro.
But what is more impressive is his versatility. He plays nearly every position on the offensive line, including left and right guard and right tackle, becoming even more important to the Patriots' offensive roster.
How he fell to the sixth round with this much talent is beyond comprehension, but at least the Patriots were the team lucky enough to get him.
Joe Thuney - (Round 3, pick 78 in 2016)
Coming off the 2015 season, the Patriots were in desperate need of help on their offensive line. The unit had one of the worst years during the Belichick/Brady era mainly due to injuries. But the coaching didn't help the situation, which prompted Belichick to bring back legendary o-line coach Dante Scarnecchia.
The return of Scar was an immediate improvement already, putting Joe Thuney in great hands when New England selected him in the third round of the 2016 Draft.
Although they needed linemen and hoped the North Carolina State alum would be the guy for the job, they didn't anticipate he would be as good as he became.
Thuney immediately became the team's starting left guard his rookie season, playing 100% of the offensive snaps and allowing just four sacks on Tom Brady. He remained as the starter over the next four seasons, becoming a significant part of the offense's success in their two Super Bowl wins.
After a season played under the franchise tag, Thuney ran to the bank and signed with the Chiefs to become a mainstay on Patrick Mahomes' offensive line, helping to win two more Championships.
10 of the Patriots' best draft steals during the Bill Belichick era
James White - (Round 4, pick 130 in 2014)
Running backs are not the most respected position in the NFL, nor are they typically taken very high in any draft. In the 2014 Draft, the first running back didn't get selected until late in the second round, and twelve more were picked before the Patriots truly lucked out with taking James White.
It's almost hard to put into words just how important White became to the offense during his eight year career, ultimately earning the title of the best third down back during the Belichick era. He accomplished so much throughout his career, trailing only Kevin Faulk in most catches and receiving yards by a running back in team history.
White quickly earned Tom Brady's trust in and out of the backfield, resulting in him becoming one of the heroes of Super Bowl LI where he recorded 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. On top of that, he added six carries for 29 yards and two scores, one of which was the game-winner in overtime.
Because of all that he became and what he contributed to the second half of the Patriots Dynasty, he is easily one of the biggest draft steals of the last 20 years.
Rob Gronkowski - (Round 2, pick 42 in 2010)
Perhaps a player being taken early in the second round doesn't qualify as a draft steal, per se. However, because Rob Gronkowski went on to be the greatest tight end to ever play in the NFL, it seems to warrant his placement on this list.
As soon as he stepped on the field, Gronk was an immediate force within the Patriots offense. He quickly rose in the ranks of Brady's favorite targets, recording 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns through 115 regular season games.
As dominant as he was as a receiver, he was almost more unstoppable as a blocker. This aspect is far too often overlooked when evaluating tight ends, but Gronkowski set the standard for what it meant to be a well-rounded, true-to-the-position tight end and exemplified that in every game.
He was as consistent as they come and was the biggest factor in why the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl against the Rams in 2019, making impressive catches at the right time and really putting his body on the line to get the job done.
If only he had been able to avoid some of the injuries he suffered, he could have even more easily put the GOAT tight end argument to rest.
10 of the Patriots' best draft steals during the Bill Belichick era
Julian Edelman - (Round 7, pick 232 in 2009)
When the Patriots selected quarterback Julian Edelman from Kent State in the 7th round of the 2009 Draft, not a single soul could have imagined how integral he would go on to be for the team's dynastic run of the 2010s.
A seventh-rounder isn't expected to be much of anything in the NFL, so he predominately spent the first few years of his career as a special teamer. But when Belichick decided to switch Edelman to wide receiver and truly integrate him into the game plan a few years into his career, he became one half of one of the best quarterback/receiver duos of the modern era.
Although he was never the flashiest player or atop the league in stats, he did record three 1,000-yard seasons, the last coming at age 33.
He was easily Tom Brady's favorite target, which inevitably helped him catch the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX, dive for one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history against the Falcons in 2017, and earn the MVP Award in Super Bowl LIII.
Edelman's postseason career is what really defines his legacy in New England. It's almost as if he played better when the game was on the line, all of which proved why he was a great draft steal even more.
Matthew Slater - (Round 5, pick 153 in 2008)
Much like the expectations for Julian Edelman a year later, Matthew Slater wasn't anticipated to become one of, if not the best, special teamer in Patriots history, especially one that would spend 16 years with the team.
Throughout his career, Slater was the most consistent players to suit up in a Patriots uniform and helped lead their special teams to being atop the league from their performance. He was the main reason for their success during their second Championship run in the 2010s, and his value to the team went beyond what he gave on the field.
Slater's natural ability to lead eventually made him the voice of the locker room, leading the team's celebrations after big wins. He brought positivity and mentorship that can't be overstated, and he made teams across the league care more about improving their special teams because of just how good he was.
The 2024 season will be the first time in 16 years that Slater won't be on the field, but fortunately, he is reportedly taking an advisor role with the team to help put the next generation of special teamers on the right track.
Asante Samuel - (Round 4, pick 120 in 2003)
It's not often that a team is able to find a shutdown cornerback in the fourth round of the draft, but that's what the Patriots got when they traded up to select Asante Samuel in 2003.
He set the league on fire as a rookie that year, hauling in two interceptions returned for 55 yards and a touchdown. And the best part about it was he only got better as the years went on.
Samuel earned and maintained his rightful spot atop the depth chart throughout his time in Foxboro, with his most impressive season coming in 2006. It's the year he blew away the competition by hauling in ten interceptions (a league high) returned for 120 yards and recording 24 passes defended, which was also the most in the league that year.
The 2007 season was certainly one for the books as well, besides the missed interception that most Patriots fans would rather forget. Samuel's time with the Patriots didn't end so amicably, a grudge the former cornerback still holds to this day. But his legendary performance through five years will forever be noteworthy, especially as a fourth-round draft pick.
WR David Givens (Round 7, Pick 253 in 2002)
Almost earning the title of Mr. Irrelevant in 2002, David Givens would become an under-respected member of the Patriots' offense at the start of their dynastic run.
He was drafted to the team the year after they won their first Super Bowl, joining a roster full of future Hall of Famers, but he was able to set himself apart fairly quickly. His rookie season was a forgettable one, and the following year proved just how valuable he would become once Tom Brady utilized him, making him one of his favorite targets in 2004 and 2005.
Givens' 2004 season was the most impressive, recording 56 receptions for 874 yards and three touchdowns. He was a reliable guy when the lights shined brightest, too, playing in eight post season games and scoring in seven of them, two of which were in back-to-back Super Bowls.
He only spent his rookie contract in New England, but he certainly made the most of it and was another player in the Belichick era who outperformed the expectations placed on them based on when they were drafted.
10 of the Patriots' best draft steals during the Bill Belichick era
Tom Brady (Round 6, Pick 199 in 2000)
Is there really any reason to even explain this one?
The biggest draft steal in not just the Belichick era or Patriots history, Tom Brady is the best draft steal in the entire existence of the NFL. Who could have known that the greatest quarterback of all time would start as a sixth round draft pick that everyone overlooked?
Fortunately, Belichick and Co. knew and made the right decision in the 2000 Draft.