2022 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams: Who won the NFL Draft?
New England Patriots 2022 NFL Draft grade: C-
29. Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga
50. Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
85. Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
121. Jack Jones, CB, Arizona State
127. Pierre Strong Jr., RB, South Dakota State
137. Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky
183. Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina
200. Sam Roberts, DE, Northwest Missouri State
210. Chasen Hines, OL, LSU
245. Andrew Stueber, OL, Michigan
Bill Belichick doesn’t care about draft grades. He doesn’t care about perceived value.
He cares only about getting guys he wants in the building, no matter what it looks like to everyone else.
Cole Strange at pick 29 overall is a prime example of that. Nobody expected Strange to go before the third round, but the Patriots prioritized him in the late first round.
After taking Strange, the Patriots then got another receiver in Tyquan Thornton who ran a sub-4.3 in the 40-yard dash but who was also expected to go potentially on Day 3. Although Thornton is a speed threat at receiver, he has tiny 8 1/4-inch hands and that raises at least some level of concern.
I do love the Marcus Jones pick in round three and the Patriots not only got a playmaker in the secondary there but also the best return specialist in the Draft.
Jack Jones was a five-star prospect once upon a time who played at USC, was dismissed from the team due to academics, and resurfaced at Arizona State where he rehabbed his stock.
My favorite Day 3 pick for the Patriots was undoubtedly Pierre Strong out of South Dakota State. It just feels like the Patriots have way too many running backs, but again, they don’t care about the perception.
Bailey Zappe is a fascinating pick to come in and be the backup to young Mac Jones as well.