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The New England Patriots history isn’t exactly littered with success pre-2001, but they’ve had their share of great draft picks over the years.
With the NFL Draft just five days away, why not look back at five of the best selections in Pats history?
Here’s a list of some of the best players New England acquired via the draft (with a slight lean towards guys who spent the majority of their career in Foxborough).
5. Troy Brown – No. 198 overall, 1993 NFL Draft
Brown may not have as decorated a career as others on this list but he’s no less deserving of a placement. As an eighth-round pick out of Marshall, Brown epitomized the “Patriot Way” with his selflessness and team-first approach over the course of his 15-year tenure with the Pats.
Whether they needed him to be a 1,000-yard receiver or step in and play DB in the Super Bowl (something Brown won three of) — he got it done. And for that he is fondly remembered by fans who were there for the first leg of the Patriots dynasty.
4. Bruce Armstrong – No. 23 overall, 1987 NFL Draft
Selected 23rd overall back in 1987, New England selected Bruce Armstrong out of Louisville and never looked back. He held down the blindside for Patriots quarterbacks for nearly all of his 14 NFL seasons (he played RT in the others) and was selected to six Pro Bowls and a pair of All-Pro teams.
Unfortunately he missed the Patriots’ first championship by one year when he retired in 2000, but there’s a reason his No. 78 is retired at Gillette Stadium.
3. Andre Tippett – No. 41 overall, 1982 NFL Draft
An incredible second-round find in the ’82 Draft, Andre Tippett was the driving force of the Patriots defense throughout the decade and one of the most intimidating linebackers in the NFL.
Injuries took a toll on him in the second half of his career but at his best he was a terror off the edge. It didn’t stop him from being enshrined in Canton though and he’ll always be regarded as one of best players from the franchise’s early years.
2. John Hannah – No. 4 overall, 1973 NFL Draft
Before Tom Brady, John Hannah was the symbol of greatness in a Patriots uniform. Regarded as one of the best interior offensive lineman of all-time, Hannah was a nine-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-time All-Pro, and made the all-decade team for the both the 70s and the 80s.
Hannah was a part of some lean years in New England but it doesn’t get much greater at the guard spot.
1. Tom Brady – No. 199 overall, 2000 NFL Draft
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Does it even need to be explained? From sixth-round pick to the GOAT and he may not even be done just yet…