Breaking Down The Patriots Post-Brady Drafts
One of the oldest talk show radio tropes going in New England is the notion that “Bill Belichick can’t draft”. Like most takes spewed by the media, it is unequivocally false, but that hasn’t slowed it down. I have written multiple articles poking holes in this argument, but that’s neither here nor there. But that criticism got ramped up to levels unheard of when Tom Brady jumped ship and left Belichick holding his headset in his Championship ring studded hands. The “Patriots/Belichick are bad with their drafts since Brady left” is a puzzling notion.
“Looks like we’re finally going to see Billy B get exposed without his security blanket to work with. Belichick can’t draft! He’s overrated! Brady made him!” I could go on and on, but you’ve heard the comments.
We are now two years A.B. (after Brady) and I think it’s as good a time as any to check in on that old curmudgeon and see how he’s drafted without the “safety net” of Tommy. I put safety net in quotes because that’s THEIR verbiage, not mine. Bill Belichick drafted like he had the GOAT on his team (which he did) and he somehow gets criticized for that. I’ll never understand it. But anyway, let’s break down the two draft the Patriots have had post Tom Brady.
2020: 10 picks
| Rnd | Player | Pick | Pos | College/Univ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Kyle Dugger | 37 | S | Lenoir-Rhyne |
| 2 | Josh Uche | 60 | LB | Michigan |
| 3 | Anfernee Jennings | 87 | LB | Alabama |
| 3 | Devin Asiasi | 91 | TE | UCLA |
| 3 | Dalton Keene | 101 | TE | Virginia Tech |
| 5 | Justin Rohrwasser | 159 | K | Marshall |
| 6 | Michael Onwenu | 182 | G | Michigan |
| 6 | Justin Herron | 195 | T | Wake Forest |
| 6 | Cassh Maluia | 204 | LB | Wyoming |
| 7 | Dustin Woodard | 230 | C | Memphis |
The Real Bad Ones:
Okay, let’s get this little tid bit right out of the way: Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene were horrible picks. The decision itself to take two promising tight ends in the 3rd round wasn’t horrible, but the players themselves? Whether it be the weird COVID year, injuries or just an inability to work out in the Patriots system, they did not pan out whatsoever. And since we’re talking about bad picks, let’s add Justin Rohrwasser to that list. Taking a kicker in the 5th round isn’t an egregious choice, but if you do, you better make sure it hits. Spoiler alert: it didn’t hit.
The Real Good Ones:
But let’s get to the positive, huh? First of all, Bill Belichick making the ultimate Bill Belichick move and trading out of the first round with his FIRST draft pick since Brady left is amazing. And it paid off too. He used the pick he got from the chargers to take Kyle Dugger, confusing almost everyone in doing so. Dugger was a safety coming out of Lenoir-Rhyne and if you haven’t heard of Lenoir-Rhyne, that’s okay, neither has anyone else (with all due respect). Taking an unknown player from a Division II school is a bananaland move. But Belichick proved again that he knows more about football than many of us do and has made it work. In fact, Dugger is looking to be the safety of the future here in New England.
Another player that looks like he’s here to stay is Josh Uche. This pick didn’t surprise experts though, as many had Uche highly graded coming out of Michigan. But that doesn’t take away from the greatness of this pick. Uche started off slow due to injury in 2020, but he’s turned it on this season and is proving to be a vital cog in this defensive front.
More Real Good Ones:
Anfernee Jennings on the other hand has started his career in the opposite way of Uche. Another football baby churned out from the Saban/Belichick relationship, Jennings came on pretty well last season. In fact, many hoped he’d continue that trend this year and solidify this linebacker group. But he landed on IR before the season started and won’t be seen again until 2022. But still, from what he has put on tape, he looks like he’ll be next to Uche as a mainstay in this front 7.
The first two 6th round picks here alone should destroy the “Belichick can’t draft narrative” but we both know that’ll never stop. Michael Onwenu has turned into a top offensive lineman in the league and is only getting better. Justin Herron has filled in admirably when needed and would likely be a starter on any other team. Two great picks back to back. That streak was broken by Cassh Maluia though. Maluia was waived by the team August 24th and was passed back and forth between the practice squad and active roster more times than plays he actually made on the field. But missing on your third 6th round pick isn’t horrible.
And that rounds out the 2020 Dra…oh wait, I almost, probably like most of you, forgot about Dustin Woodard. The center retired, then unretired, then got waived by the team all in less than a year. He’s currently a free agent.
2021: 8 picks
| Rnd | Player | Pick | Pos | College/Univ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mac Jones | 15 | QB | Alabama |
| 2 | Christian Barmore | 38 | DL | Alabama |
| 3 | Ronnie Perkins | 96 | DE | Oklahoma |
| 4 | Rhamondre Stevenson | 120 | RB | Oklahoma |
| 5 | Cameron McGrone | 177 | LB | Michigan |
| 6 | Joshuah Bledsoe | 188 | S | Missouri |
| 6 | William Sherman | 197 | OL | Colorado |
| 7 | Tre Nixon | 242 | WR | Central Florida |
“Mac Jones can’t air it out” 🥴pic.twitter.com/mkF8DcwSve
— Boston 🦃 Mike (@boston_sp0rts20) November 1, 2021
My favorite Mac Jones throw from Sunday: This deep ball to Kendrick Bourne. 🔥🎯
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) October 25, 2021
If this throw doesn't convince Josh McDaniels to let Mac Jones throw into the end zone, nothing will. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/3j1iWeiRAd
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) October 10, 2021
Here’s my favorite Mac Jones throw from yesterday. What a beauty. 🔥🎯
pic.twitter.com/zUtMAap1wL— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) September 13, 2021
Probably the best downfield throw of the night for Mac Jones. Watch his eyes. Looking off/moving the zone coverage while side-stepping the rush. Knew he was coming back to Bourne on the deep the entire time. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/ILrVXB9uCg
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) October 4, 2021
The fact that Belichick put on a tour de force in being patient, trusting the board and knowing Mac was going to fall to him was amazing. No, I do not subscribe to the “if the really wanted him, he would’ve traded up to get him” nonsense. He DID really want him, and he got him.
If it weren’t for the Boy Wonder, this next pick would be the steal/selection of the entire 2021 Draft. Christian Barmore is a problem. Not a problem like a certain Boston media member said he was, but a problem on the field. This guy is a beast among monsters out there and he’s only getting better.
Christian Barmore has played more than any defensive lineman for the #Patriots in the last three weeks (120 snaps) for plays like this. Too quick, too powerful. True playmaker for the Patriots at just 22 years old. He’ll get DROY votes. pic.twitter.com/42cUMfsLjD
— Ryan Spagnoli (@Ryan_Spags) November 8, 2021
Christian Barmore rookie ranks (via @PFF):
• 1st in hurries (18)
• 1st in batted passes
• 3rd in pressures (23)
• 3rd in QB hits (4)
• 8th in run stops (13)
• 9th in sacks (2) pic.twitter.com/0wgP2ATUkW— Ryan Spagnoli (@Ryan_Spags) November 8, 2021
But Wait, There’s More!
After nailing it on the first two picks, the third pick did nothing to diminish that sentiment. Ronnie Perkins has big things expected out of him, but he hasn’t seen the field at all this year due to injury. But it’s expected that, when he comes back, he’ll be a very good player. And then of course you have Rhamondre Stevenson.
What a run after the catch by Rhamondre Stevenson 🔥
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) November 7, 2021
Rhamondre Stevenson would like @KyleBrandt and #AngryRuns to take notice. A story, in two tweets. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/69AZVilBPP
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 9, 2021
What a run by Rhamondre Stevenson! 91-yard touchdown.👀😳(Via @FTBVids_YT)
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) August 13, 2021
The Forgotten:
The next two picks, Cameron McGrone and Joshuah Bledsoe are both on the non-injury related injured reserve. The next two, William Sherman and Tre Nixon are currently on the teams practice squad. You may recognize Nixon’s name as he was the final pick by Patriots legend Ernie Adams before he retired. Who knows what will happen with the last 4 players picked in this draft, but the first four? Studs (with the exception of Perkins, but I’m going off what I’ve read about him). Even if you want to give Perkins an “incomplete”, this is still a good draft.
In Conclusion:
I say all that to say this, Belichick can draft. Regardless of what lies you’re told or what falsehoods are thrown your way. Bill Belichick can certainly draft and Tom Brady was in no way a crutch for him. All he did was look at his team and say “Hmm, offense is pretty set. Let’s load up on defense” with the occasional OL pick thrown in. There are a lot of things you can say about Bill Belichick, but “he can’t draft” is not one of them.
The reason I bring up the “post Brady” drafts is because of the insistence of saying Brady made Belichick. And when you try to bring up players Belichick has drafted, they all get pushed aside unless the Patriots haters can somehow say “Brady made him too.” There was also this strange, growing feeling that Belichick wouldn’t be able to build another team since he can’t draft. That is pure hogwash. The Patriots are in good hands and so are us as fans. Sit back and enjoy the show.
(Featured Photo Credit www.sportscasting.com)
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Mike Sullivan (@msully5433 on Twitter)