Bill Belichick's 5 best draft picks ever
The NFL draft is tomorrow, and the buzz doesn't quite seem to be there as it has been in previous years. Maybe because of the lack of superstars, or maybe the fact the New England Patriots aren't in the mix for any high profile guys in round 1. However, there is reason to get excited. Because Bill Belichick is pretty good at drafting, despite many grumblings from Patriots fans.
Here's a look at just how good he is at drafting - a top 5 Bill Belichick Patriots picks. I haven't included any 2012 picks, it's a bit too early to tell.
1. Tom Brady 6th Round 2000
3. Vince Wilfork 1st Round 2004
Here's a look at just how good he is at drafting - a top 5 Bill Belichick Patriots picks. I haven't included any 2012 picks, it's a bit too early to tell.
1. Tom Brady 6th Round 2000
This doesn't need much explanation. Tom Brady is simply THE greatest draft steal ever. Brady at pick 199 has had the career people expected of the likes of Peyton Manning, who were always expected to be #1 picks and are expected to play in the NFL like #1 picks. Brady had that career, and then some. Even if he was a 3rd round pick, it would still go down as Belichick's best ever pick. So as a 6th, Belichick didn't do too bad.
2. Rob Gronkowski 2nd Round 2010
2. Rob Gronkowski 2nd Round 2010
To say Gronkowski is a great draft pick is an understatement. Sure, he's not had a full 20 game healthy season, but if anything, that's made his achievements even greater. In his second season, a fully fit regular season, he set records for yards and touchdowns for a TE, and he was en route for a similar season before a freak broken arm midway through the season. And if you think about Gronkowski's health as the difference between a Super Bowl win, and a Super Bowl appearance the next year, how can't he be considered a brilliant draft pick?
3. Vince Wilfork 1st Round 2004
Wilfork was a rookie when the Patriots last won the Super Bowl, and since he joined he's had a massive impact both on and off the field. He's become a leader in the locker room and in the community, he's also the driving force on the defensive line. He constantly breaks double teams and disrupts the backfield through the middle, allowing DE's 1-on-1's on the outside. Underrated by 31 other teams, but everyone in New England knows just how important Wilfork is to the Pats.
4. Matt Light 2nd Round 2001
Matt Light is another guy like Wilfork, who'll never go down as one of the games greatest in his position, but without him, Tom Brady isn't great for 11 years, and therefore the Patriots aren't either. We saw last season how uncomfortable Brady can be when he doesn't know where the pressure's coming from, so for him to have Light as his constant blind side blocker during his emergence as a starter, then as a star, can't be underrated. Light is a future Patriots Hall of Famer, who deserved one last ring.
5. Dan Koppen 5th Round 2003
There were a lot of names that could have gone here at 5, but the value we got for Koppen in the 5th is remarkable. He was a back up forced to start due to injury, and he never looked back, helping the Patriots in winning two Super Bowls in a row. Yet another player whose quality wasn't quite recognized, making only 1 Pro Bowl (in a season where he didn't allow a sack), and had he not fractured his ankle in Week 1 of 2011, he might still be on the team.
Honorable MentionsAsante Samuel 4th Round 2003 - Great value pick, if he'd been around for longer, he definitely would've cracked the top 5. He also would've made the top 5 if he hadn't dropped that interception...
Logan Mankins 1st Round 2005 - Another bedrock of a brilliant offensive line, but injuries and holdouts have restricted his involvement.
Aaron Hernandez 4th Round 2010 - Those who say Belichick can't draft Receivers, remember he also couldn't draft TE's, until he struck gold twice in a year. Hernandez hasn't quite had the same impact as Gronk, but he has the potential to be a massive steal in the 4th, if he can sort out injury issues.
Jerod Mayo 1st Round 2008 - Becoming a defensive leader.
4. Matt Light 2nd Round 2001
Matt Light is another guy like Wilfork, who'll never go down as one of the games greatest in his position, but without him, Tom Brady isn't great for 11 years, and therefore the Patriots aren't either. We saw last season how uncomfortable Brady can be when he doesn't know where the pressure's coming from, so for him to have Light as his constant blind side blocker during his emergence as a starter, then as a star, can't be underrated. Light is a future Patriots Hall of Famer, who deserved one last ring.
5. Dan Koppen 5th Round 2003
Honorable MentionsAsante Samuel 4th Round 2003 - Great value pick, if he'd been around for longer, he definitely would've cracked the top 5. He also would've made the top 5 if he hadn't dropped that interception...
Logan Mankins 1st Round 2005 - Another bedrock of a brilliant offensive line, but injuries and holdouts have restricted his involvement.
Aaron Hernandez 4th Round 2010 - Those who say Belichick can't draft Receivers, remember he also couldn't draft TE's, until he struck gold twice in a year. Hernandez hasn't quite had the same impact as Gronk, but he has the potential to be a massive steal in the 4th, if he can sort out injury issues.
Jerod Mayo 1st Round 2008 - Becoming a defensive leader.
Brandon Spikes 2nd Round 2010 - Him and Gronk make the 2nd round of 2010 look pretty special.
Stevan Ridley 3rd Round 2011 - Finding a potential Franchise RB in the 3rd is great. Needs to sort out fumbles.
Agree with my top 5? Have I missed anyone altogether? Let me know in the comments or @BrendanAnnely
#BostonStrong
Stevan Ridley 3rd Round 2011 - Finding a potential Franchise RB in the 3rd is great. Needs to sort out fumbles.
Agree with my top 5? Have I missed anyone altogether? Let me know in the comments or @BrendanAnnely
#BostonStrong
