It's no secret how the Patriots have fallen to the bottom of the NFL barrel over the last few years, and it's not just because of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick departing the team. It's certainly a number of factors, but the biggest impact has been the lack of successful drafting, which has resulted in more busts than lifelong players to help the team improve every year.
Belichick's approach to the draft, especially later in his New England tenure, was clearly not working, yet he was too stubborn to change anything about it. It led to several classes that are either completely off the team already, or only a few remain from the last five years, putting the Patriots in the position that they're in for the 2025 season.
And unfortunately, they cannot escape the reminders of just how bad the drafting has been in recent years, one of which comes from their decision to trade 2024 second-round receiver Ja'Lynn Polk to the Saints on Saturday.
But the latest painful reminder surrounds a player they chose to pass on and could have had on the team instead of releasing the player they picked in his place.
The Patriots are reminded of another unfortunate Bill Belichick draft mistake with new extension
The Cowboys announced on Saturday that they had reached an agreement on an extension with guard Tyler Smith, signing him to a four-year, $96 million deal.
At first glance, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Patriots. But Smith was in the same class as Cole Strange, who the Patriots selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, passing on Smith, who has become one of the best left guards in the NFL.
People talk about the Patriots passing up Trent McDuffie, but they also passed over Tyler Smith before trading down and taking Cole Strange in 2022 https://t.co/tgtzM81ea5
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 13, 2025
Given his position, not many have discussed how big a mistake it was for Belichick to pass on Smith, as the conversation has long centered on the incomprehensible decision to select a fourth-round graded guard in the first round instead.
Since starting his career in Dallas three years ago, Smith has been a reliable blocker for both the pass and the run and has become a pillar of their offensive line, responsible for protecting quarterback Dak Prescott.
The same cannot be said about Strange, who had a very up-and-down production when he was with the Patriots. He missed most of the 2024 season due to a severe injury, so he had a lot of catching up to do this offseason to secure his starting role on the offensive line; however, he continued to struggle and lose opportunities to regain some ground.
Mike Vrabel and Co. tried to determine where he would be best within the group, even having him take reps at center. But once it was time to make roster cuts, Strange was left to look for a new team, and he is now with the Dolphins, hoping to revive his career.
Considering the amount of help the Patriots' offensive line still needs, seeing Smith become one of the highest paid at his position, while Strange was just cut after a rough three-year stretch in New England, is just painful.