The Team The New England Patriots Could Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

With the 13th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Ty Warren (DE). Warren has been a rock solid contributor to the Pats defense over the years. However, two bigger defensive forces that were still available were Troy Polamalu (S) and Nnamdi Asomugha (CB).

In round 2, the Patriots had two 2nd round draft picks. Eugene Wilson (CB) was taken first and was not an outstanding talent. Better players like Rashean Mathis (CB) or Ken Hamlin (S) should have been drafted. The Pats selected Bethel Johnson (WR) with their second 2nd round draft choice. Johnson was going to be the future franchise receiver, but he was a huge disappointment. A better pick here would have been Anquan Boldin (WR), Jason Witten (WR), Lance Briggs (LB), Terrence McGee (CB) or Osi Umenyiora (DE).

The New England Patriots had no 3rd round pick, but had two 4th round selections: Asante Samuel (CB) and Dan Klecko (LB). Samuel was a good pick (he became a Pro Bowl player), however, Klecko never became a star player. A better pick here would have been Robert Mathis (DE) or David Diehl (OT).

Dan Koppen (C) was drafted in round 5 and the Patriots hit a home run with this pick. Koppen is a dominate offensive lineman and a terrific draft choice. In the 6th round, the Pats selected Kliff Kingsbury (QB) and was hurt his rookie year, then waived the next year. A much better pick here would have been undrafted free agent Tony Romo (QB). Other free agent future NFL stars like Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE) were also ignored by the Patriots during the 2003 NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The New England Patriots Should Have Acquired In 2003

Troy Polamalu
Rashean Mathis
Anquan Boldin
Robert Mathis
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates

The Patriots had two picks in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Vince Wilfork (DT) was taken with 21st overall pick and was another winner for the team. With the 32nd overall selection, the Pats drafted Benjamin Watson (TE). Watson is average at best and surely should be more productive for being a first round pick. The Patriots should have drafted Bob Sanders (SS) or Chris Snee (OT).

The New England Patriots selected Marquise Hill (DE) in round 2. Hill didn't play in many games during his three years with the team before he drowned in May 2007. The Patriots could have drafted a more impactful player like Darnell Dockett (DT), Nick Hardwick (C), Matt Schaub (QB) or Chris Cooley (TE).

Round 3 brought Guss Scott (S) to the Patriots. Scott only started two games during his two-year tenure with the team. A better draft option here would have been Nathan Vasher (CB) or Jerricho Cotchery (WR).

The Patriots had two draft selections in the 4th round, which were used on Dexter Reid (FS) and Cedric Cobbs (RB). Reid only played one year for the Patriots and Cobbs played less than two seasons for New England. Better draft picks here would have been Jared Allen (DE) and Michael Turner (RB).


Summary Of Players The New England Patriots Should Have Acquired In 2004

Bob Sanders
Darnell Dockett
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Michael Turner

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Logan Mankins (OG) with the 32nd overall pick. Mankins has been one of the reasons Tom Brady has had so much success (pass protection). Mankins anchors a strong offensive line and was an excellent pickup for the Pats.

In round 2, the New England Patriots drafted Ellis Hobbs (CB). Hobbs is not known to be a play maker, but Marion Barber III (RB) is an offensive force and was still on the draft board. The Pats had a second pick in round 2, which was used on Nick Kaczur (OG). Kaczur has started most of the games he has played in, so this was a good selection for New England.

Round 4 brought James Sanders (S) to the team. Sanders is a solid player, but a better draft pick here would have been future Pro Bowler Trent Cole (DE). Ryan Claridge (LB) was taken in round 5 by the Patriots. He played in zero games for New England. The Patriots should have taken Atari Bigby (S) who was an undrafted free agent. The Pats could have also signed undrafted stars Ryan Grant (RB) and Josh Cribbs (KR). New England did sign free agent and future Pro Bowler Robbie Gould (PK), but was released during the preseason.


Summary Of Players The New England Patriots Should Have Acquired In 2005

Marion Barber III
Trent Cole
Atari Bigby
Ryan Grant
Josh Cribbs

1. Matt Cassel
2. Randy Moss
3. Wes Welker
4. Stephen Gostowki
5. Kevin Faulk

Laurence Maroney (RB) was taken with the 21st overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Initially, Maroney looked to be a good draft choice, however his career has been slowed by numerous injuries. The Maroney selection has been quite disappointing so far for the Patriots. A better pick here would have been Joseph Addai (RB), DeAngelo Williams (RB) or DeMeco Ryans (LB).

The Patriots drafted Chad Jackson (WR) in round 2 and was a horrible waste of draft pick. Jackson played in only 14 games with the Pats (152 receiving yards and 3 TDs). New England should taken Greg Jennings (WR), Devin Hester (KR) or Marcus McNeill (OT). Round 3 brought David Thomas (TE) to New England, but he should have stayed on the draft board, because he has not been much of a factor for the team. A better pick here would have been Owen Daniels (TE).

Garrett Mills (TE) was selected in the 4th round. The Patriots should have passed on Mills as well since he didn't play in any games for the Pats. New England should have drafted Brandon Marshall (WR). The Patriots also grabbed Stephen Gostkowski (PK) in round 4 and was a terrific pick since he has filled the shoes of Adam Vinateri quite nicely. Gostkowski is a really good kicker.

New England picked Ryan O'Callaghan (OT) in the 5th round of the draft, but hasn't started many games for the Pats. The team should have selected Omar Gaither (LB). Jeremy Mincey (DE) was picked in the 6th round and never played a game for the Patriots. The Pats could have picked Antoine Bethea (FS). With another 6th round selection, the Patriots drafted Dan Stevenson (OG) and also played zero games for the team. New England passed on another future NFL star. The Pats could have drafted Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The New England Patriots Should Have Acquired In 2006

DeAngelo Williams
Greg Jennings
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

The Patriots are one of the better drafting teams in the NFL. While every team will make some bad choices on certain players, a team can always build depth to ready themselves for injuries or under-performance by other players.

The New England Patriots "dream team" below is based on draft pick locations and franchise needs. The team looks like an All-Star franchise, right? This could have been the team the Patriots could have drafted.

Tony Romo (QB)

Marion Barber III (RB)
Michael Turner (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)

Anquan Boldin (WR)
Greg Jennings (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Logan Mankins (OG)
Nick Kaczur (OG)

Vince Wilfork (DT)
Darnell Dockett (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)

Nathan Vasher (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Rashean Mathis (CB)
Troy Polamalu (S)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)
Atari Bigby (S)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)
Stephen Gostkowski (PK)