Leon Gray was a Third Round Pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1973, but Gray did not make the team, and he was waived. Miami might have been loaded at the Offensive Line, but the New England Patriots were not, and they claimed the former Jackson State star. It was a win-win for both parties.
When you play for a two-time National Champion in college like Don’t’a Hightower did at Alabama, how sweet is it to get drafted to another power like the New England Patriots?
It took until the 19thRound in 1965 before the Boston Patriots before Jim Nance was drafted, and the former two-sport star at Syracuse had to have a chip on his shoulder considering his collegiate accomplishments.
How do you replace a legend like Adam Vinatieri?
There are many who only think of Tom Brady when they think about New England Quarterbacks, but for fans of the team in the 70s and 80s, Steve Grogan is one of the names that come up.
After the Chicago Bears drafted Jim Lee Hunt in the 16thRound, he elected to sign instead with the Boston Patriots for the inaugural season of the American Football League. As it would turn out, Hunt would become one of a handful of players to play in all ten years of the league’s existence, all of which were with the Patriots.
Wes Welker was an All-Rookie Returner as an undrafted player with Miami in 2004. Welker would begin to see more time at Wide Receiver, but the Patriots saw something more special in him, and they traded for him in 2007.
One of the most debated careers in recent memory is Julian Edelman. Edelman was never been a Pro Bowl Selection but has had multiple articles praising him as a potential Hall of Famer.
Willie McGinest was the Fourth Overall Pick in 1994, and when you are drafted that high, the pro club certainly hopes that you will have a long and fruitful career. It is safe to say that the New England Patriots got that in McGinest.
Before the Patriots had Tom Brady, there was Drew Bledsoe, who New England took with the First Overall Pick in 1993.
After two seasons with the Washington Redskins, Bob Dee left the NFL to join the Boston Patriots for the inaugural season of the American Football League.
One of the most popular players in the history of the New England Patriots is Tedy Bruschi, and when you look at his career, how could he not be?
Dan Koppen didn't have to move too far when he was drafted from Boston College in 2003 to the New England Patriots, and it didn't take him long to be a fixture in the Pats lineup.
Steve Nelson was one of the players that came from North Dakota State, where the Linebacker played his entire pro career with the Patriots (1974-87).
One of the few players who played more than 200 Games for the New England Patriots, Bruce Armstrong would play all of his 212 Games in the National Football League with the Pats.
Raymond Clayborn was drafted to be a star Cornerback, which he became, but not before he had a stellar rookie season as a Kick Returner, where he had three Return Touchdowns.
Undrafted from South Dakota State, Adam Vinatieri latched on with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League before joining the New England Patriots in 1996.
We don’t think that we are incorrect in stating that the most versatile player in Patriots history has to be Gino Cappelletti.
Vince Wilfork was a champion at the University of Miami in 2001, and it would not be long before he achieved that on the professional level.
The New England Patriots got the defensive stud they wanted in the 2001 Draft when they took their First Round (Sixth Overall) Pick in the versatile Richard Seymour.