New England Patriots: Re-grading every draft pick of the last 5 years

Grading Patriots 2022 first-round pick: G Cole Strange – B-

It’s still very early, but the Patriots strange (pun intended) pick is hard to decipher at this point. The Patriots took Cole Strange way early in 2022, but he has the size to be a good offensive lineman. Strange could become something really good, but he had incredible growing pains last season. Most expected that, so it shouldn’t be surprising. Strange has a chance to show his growth in 2022.

Grading Patriots 2022 second-round pick: WR Tyquan Thornton – C+

Tyquan Thornton is a speedster whose size is his biggest hurdle to making a huge impact. He was a player who was on the field often, and he made a couple of plays. We really won’t know what he is until next season. The logjam at receiver impacted his ability to get targets. He still got 45 targets and caught about half of them. Let’s see if that turns into something bigger next season.

Grading Patriots 2022 third-round pick: CB Marcus Jones – A

Keeping up with the Jones was a famous saying for Patriots fans this season because of how well the two rookie cornerbacks were playing. We’ll start with Marcus Jones, who is already one of the most dynamic players on the team. He was named to the All-Pro team as a rookie for his punt return skills. He was also a solid cornerback. Huge get for the Patriots.

Grading Patriots 2022 fourth-round pick: CB Jack Jones – A

Jack Jones is a more traditional player. Jones took a starting cornerback role. He did finish the season on the injured list, but not before recording six deflected passes, two interceptions, and a touchdown. Jones looks like he could turn into a ballhawk. The Patriots constantly find great cornerbacks in the draft (although some not so great). Putting the two Joneses together will give the Patriots a jolt in the secondary.

Grading Patriots 2022 fourth-round pick: RB Pierre Strong – C

Pierre Strong only had 10 carries in his rookie season, with Stevenson and Harris still getting the yeoman’s level of carries. He could get carries in the future, as the Patriots tend to replace others at the running back position. This deserves a wait-and-see approach.

Grading Patriots 2022 fourth-round pick: QB Bailey Zappe – B

We’ll all remember that one game where Bailey Zappe just destroyed the Cleveland Browns. He threw for over 300 yards and had two touchdowns against no interceptions. The Patriots then split the snaps in the next game when Jones was ready to come back. Jones eventually took the starting role, but many Patriots fans still want to see what Zappe is capable of.

Grading Patriots 2022 sixth-round pick: RB Kevin Harris – C

Kevin Harris was also impacted by the multiple running backs already in the room. He showed up in a few games, and he got 18 carries by the end of the year. We expect the Patriots to pit Strong and Harris against each other in the offseason and training camp. May the best man win.

Grading Patriots 2022 sixth-round pick: DE Sam Roberts – C-

Sam Roberts only had two tackles this season. However, these defensive linemen taken late in drafts need time to develop. Roberts seems like he’s missing something, but maybe he can find it in the offseason.

Grading Patriots 2022 sixth-round pick: G Chasen Hines – C-

Chasen Hines was considered “invisible” by some Patriots fans in 2022. He’s a sixth-round guard who didn’t see the field. The former LSU guard was placed on IR at the end of October and was out for the rest of the season. He is probably on cut watch this year.

Grading Patriots 2022 seventh-round pick: OL Andrew Stueber – C-

Same church different pew, as they say. Andrew Stueber didn’t make an impact this season. We’ll see if he can show something in the offseason and make the team out of training camp. It’s hard to tell what the Patriots are looking for here.