Beginning Of A Dynasty: A Brief History Of The New England Patriots Draft Success

The 2008 draft is just about a month away and one team who will be looking to fill some holes are the New England Patriots. Lets take a look at the soft positions and a bit of their recent success in the draft department.

The draft prospects of the past 14 years, ranging from 1993 to 2007, have laid the foundation for the lone dynasty of the second millenium. Some have been outstanding steals. Others have been high picks which any team would have coveted.

The "Big Tuna Era": Head Coach Bill Parcells 93-96

1993 draft:

1. 1st overall pick in the draft quarterback Drew Bledsoe ( later signed with the Bills in '02 and the Cowboys in '05 )   
2. 8th round 198th pick wide receiver Troy Brown

1994 draft:

1. 1st round 4th pick linebacker Willie McGinest ( later signed with the Browns in 06 )

1995 draft:

1. 1st round 23rd pick cornerback Ty Law ( later signed with the Jets in 05 and the Chiefs in 06 )
2. 3rd round 74th pick runningback Curtis Martin ( later signed with Jets in 97 ) compensational picks from the Jets 1st and 3rd round 

1996 draft:                                                                       

1. 1st round 7th pick wide receiver Terry Glenn ( traded to the Packers currently with the Cowboys )
2. 2nd round 36th pick saftey Lawyer Milloy ( signed with the Bills in 03, Falcons in 06 )
3. 3rd round 86th pick linebacker Tedy Bruschi

The "Belichick Era": Head Coach Bill Belichick, '96-Present

1999 draft:

1. 2nd round 46th pick running back Kevin Faulk

2000 draft:

1. 6th round 199th pick Quarterback Tom Brady (three-time superbowl winner two-time superbowl MVP, current touchdown pass record holder (50) )
2. 7th round 239th pick fullback Patrick Pass

2001 draft:

1. 1 round 6th pick defensive linemen Richard Seymour
2. 2 round 48th pick tackle Matt Light

2002 draft:

1. 1 round 21st pick tight end Daniel Graham ( signed with the Broncos in 07 )
2. 2 round 65th pick wide receiver Deion Branch ( Superbowl MVP traded to the Seahawks in 06 )
3. 7 round 253rd pick wide receiver David Givens

2003 draft:

1. 1 round 13th pick defensive lineman Ty Warren
2. 2 round 36th pick defensive back Eugene Wilson ( signed with the Buccanneers in 08 )
3. 2 round 45th pick wide receiver Bethal Johnson
4. 4 round 117th pick defensive lineman Dan Klecko
5. 4 round 120th pick cornerback Asante Samuel ( signed with the Eagles in 08 ) 
6. 5 round 164th pick center Dan Koppen

2004 draft:

1. 1 round 21st pick defensive lineman Vince Wilfork
2. 1 round 32nd pick tight end Ben Watson

2005 draft:

1. 1 round 32nd pick guard Logan Mankins
2. 3 round 84th pick cornerback Ellis Hobbs
3. 3 round 100th pick tackle Nick Kaczur
4. 7 round 230th pick quarterback Matt Cassel

2006 draft:

1. 1 round 21st pick running back Laurence Maroney
2. 4 round 118th pick Kicker Stephen Gostkowski

2007 draft:

1. 1 round 24th pick safety Brandon Meriwheather

So as you can see highly efficient drafting and trades over the past 14 years have resulted in three superbowl rings. Also noted is the Pats uncanny ability to be dead on with first round picks, the exception being the 2000 draft which saw maybe one of the best highest -round gems ever picked in quarterback Tom Brady.

I'm sure Belichick and company have something special in mind for their seventh pick in round one—whether that will be a cornerback, safety, tight end, or linebacker. I think they might take a look at defensive end Vernon Gholston but most likely cornerback Leodis McKelvin.

Either way it should be a pick for the secondary. GO PATS GO!!!!