Despite the more recent narrative that Bill Belichick wasn't a great decider of talent in the draft, he had a knack for finding some under-the-radar great players who would become integral parts of the Patriots ' twenty-year dynasty.
His uncommon way of going about that draft made other teams around the league re-evaluate their plans, and the legendary head coach was often credited for setting new trends in how others would put together their classes. More often than not, Belichick's style worked in his favor, which allowed the team to sustain long-term success.
But there were also a handful of duds in the mix that, in some ways, the Patriots are still dealing with the repercussions of years later.
Unfortunately, the latter half of his tenure seemed to fit that category more and more, especially when it comes to who he chose to draft in the first round. Over the last ten years, in particular, there have been more strikeouts than home runs, yet at the same time, many are significant reasons for deep playoff runs or even championship wins.
Let's look back on the last ten first-round selections by the Patriots, ranking them from worst to best.
Ranking Patriots' last 10 first-round draft picks
#10. WR N'Keal Harry (32nd overall in 2019)
The most obvious choice of the worst pick of the last ten has to be the biggest bust during the Belichick era, wide receiver N'Keal Harry.
Even after five years, the confusion over Belichick's decision to draft N'Keal Harry remains. This, coupled with the disappointment of Harry's short-lived career in New England, makes the situation even more frustrating. What's worse is that far superior talents were available when Belichick chose to reach for the former ASU standout.
Imagine the impact A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, or Deebo Samuel could have had on the Patriots' offense. These game-changing receivers, all of whom were available when the Patriots selected Harry, could have even extended Tom Brady's tenure in New England.
All three players remain at the top of their game, continuing to be some of the best receivers year after year. The Patriots traded Harry in 2022 after three uneventful years in Foxboro. They are still looking for the clear WR1 the offense needs, but had they chosen one of these guys, they wouldn't be in that predicament five years later.
#9. DT Dominique Easley (29th overall in 2014)
As the Patriots planned to continue their second stint of winning Super Bowls, Dominique Easley's selection made a lot of sense. The defense was thriving but needed some help on the defensive line, immediately creating a big opportunity for the rookie.
Easley proved to be a solid addition to the rotation in his first season, only to build upon that the following year. In 2015, he recorded two sacks, 15 combined tackles, and ten quarterback hits, nothing too flashy, but he was still a contributor on the field.
But the crack in his tenure had already begun to show.
Through his first two years in Foxboro, Easley missed ten regular season games due to injuries and what was later reported as "off-the-field issues." Rumors swirled regarding his locker room reputation, with teammates anonymously sharing that he was considered a "cancer" behind closed doors.
He is alleged to have butted heads with the coaching staff over how to proceed with his rehab, which became a big part of why Bill Belichick ultimately decided to take on the cap hit and release him before completing his second season.
It's a case of what could have been and what feels even more like a wasted first-round pick even ten years later.
#8. OT Isaiah Wynn (23rd overall in 2018)
The decision to pass on Lamar Jackson in the 2018 draft, not once but twice, for other players, including offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, was a missed opportunity that could have significantly altered the Patriots' future.
It's not necessarily a wrong move to add depth to your offensive line, as they arguably play the most important part of the team outside of quarterback. However, Belichick was already showing that he was interested in moving on from Tom Brady, yet no one was waiting in the wings to be the next guy up if he had been allowed to do so.
While the Patriots' interest in Jackson was apparent, the Ravens seized the opportunity and traded up to secure their next franchise quarterback. This decision has since proven to be a game-changer for Baltimore, with Jackson becoming a 2-time league MVP and setting multiple records over the last six years.
The Patriots, on the other hand, got four years out of Wynn, who became more of a liability on the field than a help to their offense. He dealt with several injuries during his tenure, racked up countless penalties that negatively impacted the offense more than most care to remember, and never lived up to the first-round draft pick label.
By the end of his time in New England, it was clear he was ready to move on. Even though the Patriots needed help on the offensive line, there was no reason to keep Wynn any longer.
#7. G Cole Strange (29th overall in 2022)
Most Patriots fans will remember where they were when they heard the decision that the team was drafting a left guard in the first round after trading nearly out of it altogether. There continues to be a debate about whether it was worth it, mainly due to how Cole Strange's first two seasons have progressed. And who was still on the board to choose from.
It wasn't just the fans who were taken aback by Belichick's decision. The ripple effect of the draft choice was felt far and wide, with a video of Rams head coach Sean McVay laughing at Strange's high selection considering his position and the projections from analysts quickly going viral after the first round concluded.
Strange's arrival was a much-needed boost for the offensive line, which had been a weak point of the team's offense. He was thrown into the starting lineup from day one of the following season, which began quite rocky and further questioned his selection. However, he showed promise in a series of games before regressing to his early rookie form.
In the two years since he's been an okay part of the line despite ending the 2023 season on injured reserve. He will likely miss time at the start of this upcoming year, which creates even more needs for the offense. This isn't exactly helpful for a player heading into just his third season.
#6. DT Malcom Brown (32nd overall in 2015)
Because Dominique Easley's time in New England had already become bumpy, maybe that's partly why Belichick decided to select another defensive tackle in the first round of the 2015 Draft.
That's when Malcom Brown became a Patriot and was quickly thrust into a starting role on the defensive line as soon as the 2015 season began. He became one of the team's most reliable defenders, missing just four games during his four seasons in New England. He was also a part of two Super Bowl-winning rosters during that time.
His stats don't necessarily jump off the page: He recorded 186 combined tackles, 8.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries through 60 regular-season games. However, the value of reliability and consistency cannot be overstated, especially for a team that is in the midst of a second dominating Super Bowl run.
After completing his rookie contract with the Patriots, Brown signed with the Saints in 2019 in hopes of continuing the solid track he was on in the early stages of his NFL career.
Although his time in New England wasn't incredibly long, he was a vital part of a strong defense and exceeded in the role he was given from the start.
#5. QB Mac Jones (15th overall in 2021)
You're likely questioning why a quarterback bust could possibly be ranked as high as Mac Jones on this list, which is fair considering how crucial a good quarterback is to an NFL team's success.
But because he was chosen when the Patriots needed positive production from a signal-caller just two years removed from the Tom Brady era, Jones's importance went beyond how his tenure would eventually transpire.
The quarterback had a standout rookie season against the odds stacked against him, mainly that of an underwhelming supporting cast and the harsh media reaction to the next quarterback attempting to stand in the shoes once held by the greatest quarterback of all time.
He seemed to settle most of the doubts cast upon him by bringing the Patriots to the playoffs after the team missed them the year before and earning Pro Bowl honors to end his first season. It looked like they found the right guy at the right time, and he looked every bit the part of becoming the next franchise quarterback. However, he dramatically fell from grace over the next two seasons.
Jones' struggles continued into his second season, primarily due to the lackluster offense he inherited as a rookie. The situation worsened because of the constant changes in the coaching staff, with two recently fired head coaches taking on positions in which they had no prior experience. The insertion of Matt Patricia as the new offensive coordinator further derailed any offensive success, leading to Belichick bringing in a third offensive coordinator in three years in 2023.
Despite the arrival of Bill O'Brien, any hope of Jones thriving in New England was long gone. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns in 2023, was benched four times before remaining there for the final four games, and was eventually traded to the Jaguars for next to nothing.
With Jones now gone, the Patriots find themselves in a familiar yet precarious position once again as they search for a new quarterback. They have an entirely new staff that needs to make a successful pick or risk the team's future falling into obscurity for years to come.
#4. RB Sony Michel (31st overall in 2018)
Despite being part of the questionable 2018 draft class along with Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel's time in New England is not remembered as harshly, mainly because of his significant importance to the Patriots' final Championship run.
He impressed his rookie season, as he joined forces with James White in the backfield, who had already earned his Super Bowl hero title. Michel went on to record 209 carries for 931 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season and continued that work throughout the postseason.
Michel became Tom Brady's primary backfield target, carrying the football 24 times in their first playoff game that season against the Chargers for 129 yards and three touchdowns. He followed that incredible performance with another against the Chiefs the following week, recording 29 carries for 113 yards and two scores.
He remained as valuable as ever in the Patriots' Super Bowl win over the Rams to end the 2018 season, and because of his integral role in their final championship run, Michel will always be remembered fondly in New England.
The 2019 season was similar in production for the running back, but after that, he began taking a backseat to the new players who were added to the backfield, resulting in him being traded to the Rams in 2021. Although his time as a Patriot was short-lived, his contributions to the team's sixth Lombardi make him one of the better draft picks of the last ten years.
#3. DE Chandler Jones (21st overall in 2012)
The first of two tremendous first-round picks by the Patriots in 2012, the selection of defensive end Chandler Jones helped instill a fearful defense in New England once again.
Jones was a force from the start, racking up six sacks his rookie season only to nearly double that just a year later. He helped lead the charge in what was well on its way to becoming one of the better defenses in the league, inevitably assisting the team in Super Bowl XLIX.
The 2015 season was a standout year for Jones, where he showcased his domination with a career-high 12.5 sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles, and 18 quarterback hits. His performance that year earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, leaving no doubt about his worth to the team as he approached the end of his rookie contract.
Unfortunately, he would do that with the Cardinals instead of the Patriots, as Belichick traded the defensive end after an incident while the team was in the midst of the playoffs.
He went on to have an incredible career in Arizona, earning three more Pro Bowl honors and leading the league in sacks with 17 in 2017, making it look like it was a significant mistake to move on from him when they did.
#2. CB Christian Gonzalez (17th overall in 2023)
Perhaps it's a bit early to put such a young player this high on the list, but what Christian Gonzalez showed through four games as a rookie and his potential as he returns to the field this upcoming season is beyond noteworthy.
When hypothesizing who the Patriots would take in the first round of the 2023 Draft, the assumption was Gonzalez would be well off the board by the time they made their selection with the 14th overall pick. Somehow, despite Bill Belichick trading back to 17, the cornerback was still available, making the decision much easier for the Patriots.
As one of the top-2 prospects of the class, Gonzalez ending up in New England seemed like a matter of fate. The team had put together an excellent secondary but needed a boost to put the unit over the top, which is where the rookie fit in immediately.
He impressed throughout training camp and preseason, continuing that into the first regular season game. And because of his impressive four-game start, he was the early frontrunner to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, only for his chances to be swept away due to injury.
Gonzalez is expected to be healthy to start offseason programs this year and is projected to build upon an outstanding beginning to his NFL career. Although he fell into their lap, his pick is one of Belichick's best in his tenure, and the team will reap the benefits of his addition for a long time.
#1. LB Dont'a Hightower (25th overall in 2012)
Considering he is the only future Patriots Hall of Famer on the list, it feels beyond fitting to have new linebackers coach Dont'a Hightower top this list.
Mr. February, as he so graciously earned, had a tremendous career as one of the leading defensive players during the second half of the Patriots dynasty. His dominant style of play made the defense an intimidating unit for years in the league, led partly by his leadership and tenacity to get the job done.
Who could forget his momentum-swinging strip-sack of Matt Ryan during Super Bowl LI? If it weren't for that moment, as New England was down 28-12 with just 8 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation, Tom Brady probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to lead the offense to tie the game and force overtime, ultimately resulting in the franchise winning their fifth Super Bowl title.
Hightower earned his first Pro Bowl honors and was named Second-Team All-Pro for the first time that season, further solidifying his legacy in New England.
He was a voice of the locker room and helped make the defense what it was for so long, particularly during the team's second Super Bowl run when they won three more titles, which could have actually been five.
Hightower was so instrumental for the team that he is now joining Jerod Mayo's staff. He will help develop the next group of linebackers for the Patriots, who will hopefully have even half of the grit he demonstrated throughout his career.