Considering all the grousing, complaining and blowback about the New England Patriots 2022 NFL Draft it’s worth highlighting every positive thing said on the local or national level, no natter how significant.
According to ESPN, the Patriots had the best in-draft trade of 2022 when they traded back from 21 to 29 with the Kansas City Chiefs, acquiring picks 29, 94 and 121 for pick 21 in the drat. The Patriots famously/infamously (jury is out on that part still) selected guard Cole Strange out of Tennessee Chattanooga with the pick.
Using the Pro-Football-Reference approximate value chart ESPN said the trade was “a strong return” for the Pats, but that they might very well have squandered the value acquired by selecting Strange, who their draft day predictor said was very likely to have been able in the 2nd Round. So who knows if they did well with the move in the end. The Strange pick will be scrutinized as heavily as any recent draft pick in the area for seasons to come.
Ultimately this is a salute to the Patriots getting good value and capital with the maneuver, something HC/GM Bill Belichick obsesses over. So if anything it was an on-brand move that the charts and computers liked. Take every little positive and plus you can, right?
And for the draft detractors, it’s also worth noting Patriots cornerback/returner Marcus Jones, taken in the third round out of the University of Houston, had Pro Football Focus’ highest grade for a corner in single coverage since 2020. Maybe the “Pats had a bad draft” crowd will be eating humble pie come this fall and beyond? Can’t wait to find out.