The greatest player in Patriots history was a sixth-round draft pick. It turns out Tom Brady isn’t the only underappreciated college star to lead New England to Super Bowl LI.
Patriots built offensive empire with late-round picks and castoffs
New England’s status as a perennial contender is proof a dynasty can be built at the end of the draft.
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The Patriots’ roster is dotted with players taken on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, or ones not drafted at all. When New England took the field last Sunday in the AFC Championship, only three of the team’s offensive starters had been selected in the draft’s first three rounds. Four went undrafted altogether. Brady threw touchdown strikes to an All-ECAC lacrosse midfielder and a MAC quarterback to beat the Steelers. An undrafted free agent added to the team’s total with a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter.
Head coach Bill Belichick’s offense has long relied on overlooked talent to complement Brady, an all-time great who elevates the play of everyone on his roster. Conference rival castoffs and combine snubs from Antowain Smith to BenJarvus Green-Ellis have all made major impacts for championship teams in New England. The 2016 Patriots are another prime example of this.
A look at the team’s offensive starters shows the low-cost, high-reward philosophy that made New England the league’s No. 3 scoring offense this season. In fact, the Patriots haven’t placed lower than fourth when it comes to points per game since 2009.
Player | Position | Draft Position | Drafted by Pats? | If not, cost to acquire? |
|---|
Assuming a pick value of 300 for the undrafted free agents in the lineup, the average Patriots starter was picked with the 187th selection of the draft. That’s typically a mid-sixth rounder each May.
Compare that offense to Atlanta’s high-octane attack. All-Pros Matt Ryan and Julio Jones were both top-six picks, as was left tackle Jake Matthews. Center Alex Mack is another first-rounder. Mohamed Sanu, Austin Hooper, Andy Levitre, and Chris Chester were all second- or third-round selections, though all but Hooper were chosen by different teams before making their way to the Falcons.
Atlanta’s average starter draft position? The 77th pick — a relatively early third-round choice.
A look at the starting defense showcases the Patriots’ preference to spend high draft picks on defensive players and keep homegrown athletes in place. Nine starters were either drafted by New England or signed with the team as an undrafted free agents. Six of those were taken in the first three rounds.
Player | Position | Draft Position | Drafted by Pats? | If not, cost to acquire? |
|---|
The team’s ability to pull contributors from the lesser rounds of the draft and beyond has been an asset — and it has helped push through some dubious NFL penalties. New England bullied its way to Super Bowl LI despite losing its 2016 draft pick and four games of a peak Brady season to the DeflateGate scandal. Rookies Joe Thuney, Jacoby Brissett, and Malcolm Mitchell, all picked in the third round or later, stepped in to make starts and keep the Pats’ offensive empire running.
A look at the Patriots and Falcons’ offensive lineups prove there’s no one way to build a championship roster. Atlanta is led by a group of Pro Bowl players who were hot commodities coming out of college. New England has relied on unheralded prospects who blossomed into starring roles thanks to the all-world quarterback behind center.
No team gets more from its late-round picks than the Patriots. Next Sunday, a group of draft afterthoughts will have the opportunity to deliver Brady and Belichick their fifth Super Bowl title.
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