FOXBOROUGH – In the spring of 2024, the Patriots’ draft class gathered in a team auditorium-style meeting room, where new decals on the wall were a reminder of a fresh start for the franchise.
At the beginning of May, before rookie minicamp, the team’s 2024 draft class came up with a big goal.
“It was one of our earlier rookie meetings where it was just us,” offensive lineman Caedan Wallace told MassLive last September. “It was something we decided that we wanted to do as a class – in the history books, be one of the best ones that ever came through here.”
After declaring they wanted to be one of the best draft classes in franchise history, it took one year for that goal to become unrealistic.
Those new decals that were on the wall are now gone – as are most of the team’s 2024 rookies. As the Patriots open up their regular season this week, Wallace and quarterback Drake Maye are all that remain of last year’s draft class.
Second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk, fourth-round pick Layden Robinson, and sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial suffered season-ending injuries this offseason. Fourth-round pick Javon Baker signed with the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad after being cut by the Patriots 24 hours after making the 53-man roster. Sixth-round pick Joe Milton was traded to Dallas. Seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell was cut.
The disappointing results of last year’s draft serve as a stark reminder. The Patriots most likely won’t be able to get this franchise back to glory until they fix their issues with the draft.
On Tuesday, Mike Vrabel told WEEI’s ‘The Greg Hill Show’ that depth (or lack thereof) was one reason the team didn’t pursue pass rusher Micah Parsons, who was traded to Green Bay.
“We have to build some depth there to this roster, and you do that from the draft. And just it hasn’t been - we’ll call what it is, it hasn’t been real great. The depth of the roster has not been through our draft the last handful of years. And that has to change. We all know that, so we’ll focus on that when we get there in April.”
That’s why there’s pressure on this year’s class. The Patriots enter their regular-season home opener projected to lean heavily on at least four rookies. Left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Jared Wilson, and safety Craig Woodson are projected to start. Running back TreVeyon Henderson looks like an explosive offensive weapon.
The ghosts of past Patriots drafts have left this roster void of depth at most positions.
In the previous three drafts, the team selected six interior offensive linemen, but none are on the active roster:
Cole Strange (2022, first round), Chasen Hines (2022, sixth round), Jake Andrews (2023, fourth round), Sidy Sow (2023, fourth round), Atonio Mafi (2023, fifth round), and Layden Robinson (2024, fourth round).
In the post-Tom Brady years, one of Bill Belichick’s downfalls was his draft classes. The Patriots received few contributions from the 2019 class. When Brady left, Belichick drafted 40 players from 2020 to 2023.
Out of those classes, 11 players remain:
Kyle Dugger (2020), Anfernee Jennings (2020), Michael Onwenu (2020), Christian Barmore (2021), Rhamondre Stevenson (2021), Marcus Jones (2022), Christian Gonzalez (2023), Keion White (2023), DeMario Douglas (2023), Kayshon Boutte (2023), and Marte Mapu (2023).
It was a stark contrast to how Belichick built the Patriots dynasty, drafting players such as Brady, Richard Seymour, Matt Light, Deion Branch, Ty Warren, Asante Samuel, and Vince Wilfork in his first five seasons in New England.
Then, from 2009 to 2012, Belichick drafted Julian Edelman, Sebastian Vollber, Patrick Chung, Rob Gronkowski, Devin McCourty, Nate Solder, Chandler Jones, and Dont’a Hightower to help kickstart the second half of the dynasty.
Belichick drafted players such as Julian Edelman (2009), Sebastian Vollmer (2009), Patrick Chung (2009), Rob Gronkowski (2010), Devin McCourty (2010), Nate Solder (2011), Chandler Jones (2012), and Dont’a Hightower (2012) to help kickstart the second half of the dynasty.
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, a team source told MassLive he thought the Patriots would need to average four to five starters in each draft class for three years to get the roster to where it needs to be.
When Belichick departed, the hope was that through collaboration, the Patriots’ drafting would get better. However, outside of Maye, no one selected in the 2024 draft projects to have a big role on the roster.
Although Eliot Wolf deserves credit for not trading out of the No. 3 spot and drafting the quarterback, he knows his drafts have to be better. In training camp, Wolf was asked about why this year’s class already looks better than 2024.
“I think maybe just the vision for what we wanted as players,” Wolf said.
That’s one difference from having Vrabel in the fold as opposed to Jerod Mayo.
According to multiple sources, Vrabel spelled out exactly what he wanted from players at each position before the NFL Combine. The meeting was described as nerve-wracking for some as Vrabel allowed scouts to make their pitch for their preferred prospects. Others walked away from that day feeling that Vrabel was the “real deal.”
That led into an offseason where the Patriots targeted players to fit the new system in free agency and then the draft.
Now, the Patriots begin a new chapter with Vrabel at the helm. The roster looks improved from a year ago, but as seen in the past, free agency will only help so much.
In order to get this franchise back to contending status, the Patriots need to be better in the draft.
Only time will tell if the 2025 class will have a greater impact. That journey starts Sunday.
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