Patriots top 5 draft busts -- Where are they now?
By Jon Galvin
No. 4 -- Tie: Derek Rivers and Antonio Garcia
Facts: Draft Year: 2017
Round Selected: 3
Overall Pick: 83/85
Current Team: Rivers -- Houston Texans; Rivers was placed on injured reserve in August 2022, did not play during the season, and re-signed with the Texans in March 2023. Garcia -- Philadelphia Stars/USFL; Garcia was released by the Pats after one season on the non-football injury list and has never played a snap in the NFL. Garcia is now on the roster of the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL
2022 Production: None
Alternative Picks: Cooper Kupp/Alvin Kamara (at 64) or Trey Hendrickson/James Conner at 81/83.
Comment: Selecting alternative picks is more complicated here because the selection of Rivers and Garcia is tied to a horrible series of draft trades in which the Patriots gave up, successively, the 64th, then the 72nd pick in the draft (see my article on “Top three and bottom three draft deals in recent Patriots history” for more information). The Pats would have been better served by staying at 64, where several talented players were available.