Looking back, two picks wash away all the NFL Draft hurt for Bill Belichick, Patriots fans

With ample ammunition, people attacked Bill Belichick’s drafting for the New England Patriots over his last 10 years. The list of nondescript high-round, zero-impact picks is as depressing as it gets from 2014-2023. In the grand scheme of things, all the first-round whiffs – Cole Strange (2022), ...

by Hector Longo

Jul 14, 2026

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks with Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw after winning Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome.

USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

With ample ammunition, people attacked Bill Belichick’s drafting for the New England Patriots over his last 10 years.

The list of nondescript high-round, zero-impact picks is as depressing as it gets from 2014-2023.

All the blunders

In the grand scheme of things, all the first-round whiffs – Cole Strange (2022), Mac Jones (2021), N’Keal Harry (2019), Sony Michel (2018), Isaiah Wynn (2018), Malcom Brown (2015) and Dominique Easley (2014) – basically get wiped away in two swipes.

Two Belichick picks dominate Sports Illustrated draft analyst Justin Melo’s recent list of the “25 Best NFL Draft Steals of the Last 25 Years” like no other.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates by spiking the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 30, 2016.

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

In selecting Tom Brady (2000) and Rob Gronkowski (2010), Belichick drafted arguably the best to ever play their respective positions in NFL history.

Best draft value ever

And he did it by expending a sixth-round pick (199 overall) and a second-rounder (42 overall). That is serious bang for the Patriots buck.

Melo called Brady “the easiest selection of all … The seven-time Super Bowl winner and 15-time Pro Bowler will forever be the poster child for NFL Draft steals.”

Depth in 2010 unmatched

Gronkowski was the top choice in a draft laden with hidden gems -- Antonio Brown (Round 6, Pittsburgh), Kam Chancellor (Round 5, Seattle), Jimmy Graham (Round 3, New Orleans), Geno Atkins (Round 4, Cincinnati), and NaVorro Bowman (Round 3, San Francisco).

While some of the “steals” were and are amazing players, for sure – Hall of Famers up and down Melo’s list – only a handful can challenge for the “best of all-time” moniker.

Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed made the list, and you could make a case that he’s the best to every play the position. A first-rounder in 2002, Reed was taken 24th overall by Baltimore.

Kansas City Chiefs fans could point to Travis Kelce, a tight end who was taken in Round 3 back in 2013. Most would concur that Kelce is a top-five guy, maybe even top three. He’s not Gronkowski.