A very classic Belichick-Patriots draft. Traded out of the first round with the Chargers and selected a no-name defensive back in the second round, but for the first time it actually worked out. Kyle Dugger out of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne shined at the combine and Senior Bowl, and when he was selected, every Patriots fan had PTSD from the failed second-round selections of Ras-I Dowling, Tavon Wilson, Jordan Richards, Cyrus Jones, Duke Dawson, and Joejuan Williams over the previous 10 seasons. But Dugger has been a stud all four seasons with 52 career starts playing all over the field as a hard-hitting safety with nine career picks and three total defensive touchdowns in 2022.
Josh Uche is a player that has flashed a bunch throughout his career, but wasn’t used a the amount that he deserved. He broke out with 11.5 sacks in 2022 while only playing 38% of snaps, but you would think a guy as talented as him would be used more. If he goes to a him that will play him, he will be a consistent double-digit sack guy.
Anfernee Jennings had a slow start to his career, playing sparingly as a rookie then missing his second season, then stayed as more of a backup the following year. 2023 was the true breakout year for the third-rounder, starting 14 games with 66 tackles.
In an attempt to have production at tight end, two were selected in the third round, and both have had zero careers. Devin Asiasi had two catches with the team and only lasted two seasons before getting cut and has spent time with the Bengals and Browns. Dalton Keene had three catches as a rookie then missed his second season with injury before getting released, then spent time with the Eagles, Broncos, and Texans.
Following the release of longtime kicker Stephen Gostkowski after 14 years, the Patriots selected the first kicker of the draft in Justin Rohrwasser in the fifth round, and was immediately met with controversy. It was revealed he had a tattoo of a far-right paramilitary group, but claimed he thought it supported military and got it removed later that year. On the football side, he lost the job in camp to Nick Folk and spent the year on the practice squad, but was released in March 2021 and had been out of football since.
The true gem of this draft class is versatile offensive lineman Michael Onwenu in the sixth round. Throughout his four years he’s started at both guard spots and right tackle on a line that has had little to no continuity, but he was up to the task and finished top 10 in PFF grades his first three seasons. He started all 16 games as a rookie, playing both guard spots, a sixth OL/jumbo tight end, but mostly at right tackle with 10 starts. Year two he started four at left guard, then three at right tackle before a benching. Year three he started every game at right guard, then in 2023 he started four at right guard before settling in at right tackle for 11 starts. This type of elite play all over the line will get Onwenu paid as a top OL.
The final three players in this class aren’t in the league for a reason. Justin Herron actually started 10 games as a fill-in his first two seasons before getting traded to the Raiders. Cassh Maluia spent his rookie year on the practice squad and didn’t get a second season in the league. Dustin Woodard actually retired during training camp as a rookie and was released the following year.
This wouldn’t be a Patriots draft class without an undrafted cornerback making the roster. Myles Bryant actually didn’t make the final roster right away, but was promoted from the practice squad in the middle of his rookie season. Similarly the following year he started out on the p-squad, then got promoted and played 12 games while starting two. He earned a spot the next two seasons and developed into a solid slot corner. He didn’t quite turn into Malcolm Butler or J.C. Jackson, but Bryant is a good player with plenty of starting experience.
Football Nerds 