2011 NFL Draft: Bill Belichick's 10 Best Draft Picks in New England
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are known across the NFL as one of the premiere draft teams.
Each and every draft, it's almost like Belichick manipulates the draft with his strategy of trading picks. Belichick loves to trade higher round picks for later round picks while accumulating selections in the next year's draft.
Why is Belichick so good at the draft? He has the rare ability to determine the quality of players, and if he can get that same quality of a player a few picks later.
Ever since 2000, the year Belichick took complete control of New England's franchise, the Patriots have drafted some talented players. A lot of these players were steals, but many of them were just flat out genius moves by Belichick and company.
As we inch closer and closer to the 2011 draft, let's take a look at Belichick's draft history with the New England Patriots.
Who are Belichick's ten best draft picks with the New England Patriots?
NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
10. Deion Branch
1 of 10
Wide receiver Deion Branch will go down as one of New England's greatest players of all time.
Branch was the 33rd overall pick in the 2002 draft, and he's proven that he was certainly a steal.
In his first four seasons with the Patriots, Branch was a part of two Super Bowl champion teams and was named Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, Branch recorded 213 receptions with the Patriots and was quarterback Tom Brady's favorite target.
In 2010, Belichick reunited Brady and Branch, and their stellar chemistry picked back up again. Branch tallied up 48 receptions in just 11 games for New England and scored five touchdowns.
In the dynasty era for New England, Branch is arguably the team's best receiver.
9. Dan Koppen
2 of 10
Boston College product Dan Koppen has been New England's center-piece of their offensive line ever since 2003.
Koppen was a fifth round draft pick for New England, and has emerged as one of the league's top centers.
During his career as a Patriot, Koppen has started ever single game for New England since he was drafted— except in 2005 when he only played nine.
Over Koppen's eight-year career, he has only allowed 16.25 sacks—now that's amazing. Along with so few allowed sacks, Koppen has only been called for 22 penalties in his NFL career.
Koppen is only 31-years-old, and is one of New England's team leaders and will most definitely be a steal at the 164th overall pick.
8. Asante Samuel
3 of 10
The 2004 fourth round pick out of University of Central Florida has emerged as one of the NFL's elite cornerbacks.
Now playing for the Eagles, Asante Samuel has a very colorful career as a New England Patriot.
Samuel was known for his amazing ball-hawking abilities as he racked up 22 interceptions in just five seasons as a Patriot. In 2006, Samuel was in a league of his own as he picked off the opposing quarterback a remarkable 10 times.
During his time as a Patriot, Samuel enjoyed two Super Bowl titles and beating up on rival Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Jerod Mayo
4 of 10
Inside linebacker Jerod Mayo is one of the NFL's up-and-coming stars.
The 10th overall pick in 2008 led the league in tackles this season with an amazing total of 175—15 more than the closest player.
Mayo has become a cornerstone in New England's defense as he's growing into a leadership role that was previously held by former Patriot Tedy Bruschi.
Over Mayo's three seasons in the league, he's only missed three games and has accumulated 405 total tackles. Mayo is nothing but a tackling machine.
Expect Mayo to only get better as he's only 25-years-old and is entering the prime of his career.
6. Vince Wilfork
5 of 10
New England's enormous 325-pound defensive tackle out of Miami is definitely one of the NFL's most underrated players.
Vince Wilfork was drafted in the 2004 draft as the 21st overall pick and has certainly exceeded expectations.
Despite his size, Wilfork is very athletic for a defensive lineman and is one of the most versatile linemen in the NFL as he can play multiple positions on the line.
Wilfork has been named to three Pro Bowls and has enjoyed one Super Bowl victory.
5. Matt Cassel
6 of 10
How often does one NFL head coach draft two Pro Bowl quarterbacks in his career? Not too often, but Bill Belichick did.
Quarterback Matt Cassel was the 230th overall pick in the seventh round of 2005 and was only a starter in New England for one lone season.
For Belichick, 2008 was a rather interesting season as he saw his superstar quarterback Tom Brady go down for the season which meant the offense was in the hands of Cassel.
Prior to 2008, Cassel had not started a football game since high school—that's how inexperienced this guy was.
Cassel posted huge numbers for the Patriots as he led the team to an 11-5 record. He threw a total of 21 touchdowns and posted a passer rating of 89.4 while completing 63.4 percent of his passes.
As Brady regained health for the next season, Cassel was shipped to the Kansas City Chiefs and has become a Pro Bowler with the Chiefs.
4. Matt Light
7 of 10
The 11-year veteran out of Purdue was New England's 48th overall pick in 2001.
During his rookie season, Matt Light was thrown into action as the team's starting left tackle.
Light has had a tremendous career as a Patriot where he protects Tom Brady's blind-side. Over his career, he's allowed 66.75 sacks—this might seem high, but he did allow 10-plus sacks in his first two seasons in the league.
As a Patriot, Light was the starting left tackle in all three of their Super Bowl titles.
3. Richard Seymour
8 of 10
Defensive end Richard Seymour was the sixth overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft and was a key member of New England's dynasty.
Seymour was a team leader and did many of the "little things" that can't be found on a stat sheet. For an example, Seymour would take up multiple blocks which would allow linebackers to roam freely.
Prior to being traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2009, Seymour was named to five Pro Bowls as a Patriot and recorded 39 sacks as a Patriot in eight years.
2. Logan Mankins
9 of 10
Despite Logan Mankins' current contract issues with the Patriots, he has been the league's best offensive guard.
Mankins was the 32nd overall pick in 2005 and has developed into one tough, powerful, and gritty offensive guard.
During his time as a Patriot, Mankins has only allowed 15.5 sacks and has been called for only 25 penalties—pretty solid numbers.
Mankins has been named to three Pro Bowls as a Patriot and is still in the hunt for his first Super Bowl ring.
1. Tom Brady
10 of 10
What am I supposed to say about Tom Brady?
Brady is the NFL's greatest draft steal in NFL history as he was selected as the 33rd pick in the sixth round of the 2000 draft.
Six quarterbacks were selected before Brady, and none of them have won a Super Bowl.
Brady will go down as the league's most successful quarterback and greatest passer in NFL history.
Thanks to Brady's numerous clutch game-winning drives and performances in the playoffs, Brady was the most significant component in New England's dynasty.
Brady is a three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time NFL and Super Bowl MVP, and has been selected to six Pro Bowls. Not to mention, in a 2009 NFL.com ranking of the top 100 greatest NFL players, Brady was ranked 21st overall.
To go along with Brady's awards, he holds many NFL records—one being the most touchdown passes thrown in a season which came in 2007 when he threw an unbelievable 50 scores.
Brady is 34-years-old, and his days as a Patriot are ticking—but, I can promise you that Brady is not done yet, and he will continue to build his legacy as the NFL's greatest quarterback of all time.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
