Well the 2022 NFL Draft has been and gone, let’s take a look at every pick made by the Patriots!
Round 1 – Pick 29 – C/G Cole Strange (Chattanooga)
Many were surprised (me included) that the Patriots went with Strange, not so much the guard position itself, I just didn’t think the team would go with him in the first round. I think a defensive player such as Trent McDuffie, who was available before the Patriots traded down from 21, would have been a better pick in terms of value.
But, the pick was made and Strange will head into Training Camp with the expectation of being a day 1 starter for the franchise at the guard position.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 2 – Pick 50 – WR Tyquan Thornton (Baylor)
A speedy WR for the Patriots? YUP! The Pats traded up four spots to land the fastest wideout in the entire draft, taking Tyquan Thornton out of Baylor. I’m intrigued by this pick, Thornton has elite speed but comes with some questions about his catch/route run ability.
With good production last year, Thornton could become the go-to deep threat option, especially with Nelson Agholor’s contract up at the end of the 2022 season.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 3 – Pick 85 – CB Marcus Jones (Houston)
I would have preferred a top-tier Cornerback in the first round, but the Pats go first of their double-dip at the position with Marcus Jones. A team captain at Houston who is a very versatile player. He’s a little on the small side, but a clear fit with his Special Teams experience.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 4 – Pick 121 – CB Jack Jones (Arizona State)
Jones may have fallen a little due to some off-field issues during his collegiate career, but the Patriots clearly liked him as he met with them on a number of occasions prior to the Draft. Like J.C. Jackson, if he can keep out of trouble and show some sparks in Training Camp, he could be a welcome addition to the Cornerback room.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 4 – Pick 127 – RB Pierre Strong (South Dakota State)
Another speedy pick with Strong, tipped as one of the most all-around athletic players in the draft, I can see him being James White’s replacement for the future.
A former captain who ran for 4,527 (40 TDs) yards in college. He also caught 62 passes.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 4 – Pick 137 – QB Bailey Zappe (Western Kentucky)
Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to the Patriots draft, they take Bailey Zappe who put on some ridiculous numbers last year. There’s a reason he was taken at pick 137, not predicted to ever be a starter, but will likely replace Jarrett Stidham as the team’s number three QB who they can develop as a backup.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 6 – Pick 183 – RB Kevin Harris (South Carolina)
Another running back was taken in the sixth round, and really, this late in the draft it’s a wild shoot on players, but I would have liked to see a different position taken. Harris comes joins out of South Carolina with some ok production on the ground and has also shown an ability to pass-catch. He’ll be fighting for a roster spot given the current numbers in the RB room.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 6 – Pick 200 – DT Sam Roberts (Northwest Missouri State)
A Division II addition here as the Pats add Sam Roberts, winner of the 2021 Cliff Harris Award for the best small-college defensive player in the nation, the same award Kyle Dugger won a few years ago.
My expectation right now is for him to challenge for a roster sport later this summer.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 6 – Pick 210 – C/G Chasen Hines (LSU)
Another interior offensive lineman picked up in the sixth, which I don’t mind. The depth at the guard position isn’t the best, so will be interesting to see if Hines can earn a roster spot through Training Camp, has missed time due to injury which is something to note.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Round 7 – Pick 245 – G/T Andrew Stueber (Michigan)
A big boy addition here in Stuebar who could potentially earn a spot at the tackle position (immediate thoughts go to a potential long-term replacement for Trent Brown if he can play at the NFL level). Makes it three total offensive line picks for the Draft, showing that the team has certainly addressed this position as a priority.
Mike Reiss’ Bio:
Keep a lookout on the blog as we’ll be updating the UDFA additions over the coming days.
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