In adding Devin McCourty, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham and the immortal Zoltan Mesko in 2010, did Bill Belichick haul in the best draft package in his tenure with the Patriots?
The fact that such a question can even be considered is a good sign that it was indeed his best, but let's take a look through history. Here are the memorable players from each of Belichick's draft classes in New England:
2000
Tom Brady
J.R. Redmond
Antwan Harris
Patrick Pass
Adrian Klemm
2001
Richard Seymour
Matt Light
2002
Deion Branch
Jarvis Green
Daniel Graham
David Givens
2003
Dan Koppen
Ty Warren
Asante Samuel
Eugene Wilson
Tully Banta-Cain
2004
Vince Wilfork
Ben Watson
2005
Logan Mankins
Matt Cassel
Nick Kaczur
James Sanders
Ellis Hobbs
2006
Stephen Gostkowski
Laurence Maroney
2007
Brandon Meriweather
2008
Jerod Mayo
Shawn Crable
2009
Patrick Chung
Sebastian Vollmer
Julian Edelman
Brandon Tate
Myron Pryor
Certainly, one could make the argument that with one singular pick in 2000, Belichick accomplished his greatest draft day heist. That would, of course, be fifth-rounder Dave Stachelski. Or was it fifth-rounder Jeff Marriott?
Oh no, wait, it was Tom Brady at No. 199. That draft class also included some Super Bowl contributors like J.R. Redmond (picking up 24 yards on three straight catches on that final drive in Super Bowl XXXVI was kind of important) and Patrick Pass as well.
The haul of Pro Bowlers Matt Light and Richard Seymour was rather impressive, as was '03's drafting of Koppen-Warren-Samuel.
The quality takes an obvious dip in 2006, but the past two years have been solid rebound years for Belichick.
It's too early to tell how the careers of 2010's rookies will pan out, but do you think what the coach did in April was Belichick's finest work?
Share your thoughts below.
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