Now that the 2022 NFL Draft is in the books, it is time to evaluate how the New England Patriots feared. First, you have to throw conventional wisdom out the window. The draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr. were not impressed. He gave them the worst grade in the draft. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Patriots had a plan, and they executed it. As fans, we can only trust the chef and judge him by results, even if we do not like how he shops for groceries.
New England Patriots 2022 NFL Draft Review
Cole Strange, Guard, Chattanooga
Size: 6’4, 307 lbs.
Round: 1, 29th Overall
Draft Profile: Strange is a versatile lineman that moves well laterally. He is an aggressive run-blocker and can seal off defenders. His tremendous upper-body strength and big hands make him a solid pass protector.
Analysis: Most fans were hoping for a more impactful position to be drafted first, but the Patriots did fill their most glaring need with a player who can start immediately. They also gained badly needed third, and fourth-round picks by trading back to number 29.
It is not a question of ability, only availability in the next round. Most teams and analysts projected Strange going in the third or later, but Bill Belichick believes several teams would have taken him before the Patriots got to pick in the second round. The next question is, would it have mattered? There were highly ranked players at more impactful positions of need on the board like Trent Mcduffie, Kaiir Elam, Quay Walker, Devin Lloyd, and Jermaine Johnson, and they chose to trade back. The Patriots may look back and wish they had taken one of these potentially elite players.
Tyquan Thornton, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Size: 6’2″, 181 lbs.
Round: 2, 50th Overall
Draft Profile: Thorton had the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine, 4.28 seconds. He has the speed to beat a defense over the top and a burst that makes him explosive after the catch. His ability to track the deep ball well and adjust to it makes him dangerous.
Analysis: Thornton was another surprise pick that analysts projected in the middle rounds. However, the Patriots believed in their evaluation, and they traded their second-rounder (54) and a fifth-rounder (158) to move up four spots to get him. They recognized the need to get faster and went after a blazer that is also a candidate to return kicks.
There were several higher-rated receivers available at the time, like Alec Pierce, George Pickens, and Skyy Moore, but the Patriots did not see it that way. Those receivers were all drafted within the next four picks. However, if Thornton lives up to his lofty potential, nobody will question the move, and fans will be thrilled.
Marcus Jones, Cornerback, Houston
Size: 5’8″, 174 lbs.
Round: 3, 85th Overall
Draft Profile: A nickel corner with fast feet and fluid hips. Jones is a ball-hawk with good hands; he picked off five passes last season. He is also the most dangerous return man in the draft; he brought back three punts and six kicks for touchdowns in college.
Analysis: Jones should make an immediate impact as a returner; he is electric. He has the speed to be the new starting slot corner, but we should at least see him in sub-packages for now. Former Patriots scout Jim Nagy compared Jones to a defensive version of (Patriots Hall of Famer) Troy Brown. Nagy knew he was a good fit for the Patriots; he added that “he’s just a baller, you can stick him anywhere.” So, it appears Jones was an excellent pick.
Jack Jones, Cornerback, Arizona State
Size: 5’11”, 171 lbs.
Round: 4, 121st Overall
Draft Profile: Jones is quick with fluid hips but has average top speed. He does make plays and wins some fights for the ball but is ultimately a smaller corner with short arms. He is an inconsistent tackler but is tough and competes against the run.
Analysis: Kyper Jr. believes Jones went about 70 picks too high. However, the Patriots may be looking to return Jones to the days when he was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in 2016. Belichick must also love the fact that he played for Herm Edwards
Pierre Strong Jr., Running Back, South Dakota State
Size: 5’11”, 207 lbs.
Round: 4, 127th Overall
Draft Profile: A smooth runner with patience and a good burst through holes. His top-end speed is exceptional (4.37 40-yard dash), and he can break away if he gets a seam. He can throw passes, too; he tallied 208 passing yards and six touchdowns in his college career. He needs to improve in pass-catching and pass protection, though.
Analysis: Strong is more evidence the team is focusing on getting faster. Since the running back stable is stacked this season, this pick may be a depth piece with the future in mind. He projects to be a Damien Harris replacement since Harris is a free agent in 2023 and could be too expensive.
Bailey Zappe, Quarterback, Western Kentucky
Size: 6’1″, 215 lbs.
Round: 4, 137th Overall
Draft Profile: Zappe set FBS single-season records with 62 passing touchdowns and 5,967 passing yards in 2021. He has a quick release and is accurate on short and intermediate throws. He moves well in the pocket but is not a threat to run in the NFL. His arm strength is also a concern.
Analysis: A surprising pick considering the Patriots have three quarterbacks, and there were players available who could have made an immediate impact. Jarrett Stidham is in the last year of his contract, and now he is likely the odd man out.
Kevin Harris, Running Back, South Carolina
Size: 5’10”, 221 lbs.
Round: 6, 183rd Overall
Draft Profile: An instinctive inside runner with a good burst for his size.
Analysis: Harris could be competing for a roster spot with J.J. Taylor and Devine Ozigbo. Since running back was not a priority, it looks like the Patriots took the best player available.
Sam Roberts, Defensive Tackle, Northwest Missouri State
Size: 6’5″, 292 lbs.
Round: 6, 200th Overall
Draft Profile: A disruptive run defender and pass rusher with quick hands and feet. He had 18 tackles for losses last year.
Analysis: Roberts is not a lock to make the roster, but he has good pass-rushing and run-stuffing skills, and they may be able to develop him.
Chasen Hines, Guard, LSU
Size: 6’3″, 327 lbs.
Round: 6, 210 Overall
Draft Profile: His size and strength make him a good run-blocker, but his footwork gets him in trouble sometimes in pass protection.
Analysis: Hines has good physical traits, and the Patriots are likely hoping to develop his footwork. He should at least make the practice squad for now.
Andrew Stueber, Offensive Line, Michigan
Size: 6’7″, 325 lbs.
Round 7, 245th Overall
Draft Profile: A fundamentally sound run-blocker with long arms and massive size. He played at tackle but has some experience at guard, where he projects to play in the NFL.
Analysis: A massive and versatile offensive lineman is another excellent pick at this point in the draft. The Patriots should be able to develop Stueber into a serviceable player.
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