From big and burly (Michigan OL Andrew Steuber, 6’ 7” 325 lbs.) to short and super-quick (HOU CB Marcus Jones, 5’ 8” 185 lbs.), the Patriots’ 2022 NFL Draft delivered a wide range of promising talent, if not a lot of easily recognizable names.
The New England Belichicks pride themselves on mining value from the entire draft and beyond, so our review starts at the “bottom…” with a Connecticut native.
7th Round: OL Andrew Stueber, Michigan, 6’ 7” 325 lbs.
They grow ‘em big in Darien, apparently. The massive run blocker held down the right tackle spot for a 12-2 Michigan team that powered its way to the national semifinals. RB Hassan Haskins ran for 1,327 yds. and 20 touchdowns as the Wolverines led the Big Ten with 214 rushing yards per game. Likely an oversized guard in the NFL.
6th Round: OL Chasen Hines, LSU, 6’ 3” 327 lbs.
Another wide-body guard who could replace mainstay Shaq Mason (traded to Tampa Bay) or shift to center. Missed the final five games of the 2021 season with an injury. Blocked for an epic running game by Tyrion Davis-Price vs. Florida: 287 yds. on 36 carries, including 3 touchdowns.
6th Round: DL Sam Roberts, NW Missouri St., 6’ 5” 292 lbs.
A destructive force in NCAA Div. II. The small college defensive player of the year (Cliff Harris Award).
6th Round: RB Kevin Harris, South Carolina, 5’ 10” 221 lbs.
A stout addition to the Patriots’ power running game. Played through a back injury in 2021. Rumbled for 182 yards on 31 carries in his final college game, against North Carolina. Not a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Groh: “You can never have enough guys to hand the ball off to. This guy’s a really strong runner.”
4th Round: QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky, 6’ 1” 215 lbs.
Spun ridiculous video game-type statistics in college: 62 touchdowns last season, with almost 6,000 yards passing (5,967 yards, an NCAA record), while attempting 49 passes per game. Transferred from NCAA I-AA (FCS) Houston Baptist.
“It’s hard not to like him,” says Patriots Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh. “It’s lot of completions, it’s a lot of touchdown passes and it’s a lot of wins.”
4th Round: RB Pierre Strong, Jr., South Dakota St., 5’ 11” 207 lbs.
Another power rusher, dominant at the I-AA (FCS) level. Rushed for at least 100 yards nine times in 2021, including once against I-A (FBS) Colorado State (13 carries-138 yds., 2 td). Had a 7-game scoring streak.
4th Round: CB Jack Jones, Arizona St., 5’ 11” 171 lbs.
A star as a freshman at USC, Jones found academic and legal trouble and spent a year in junior college. Became a key player again under Herman Edwards at Arizona State. 10 career interceptions (38 games), plus 3 forced fumbles in 2021.
3rd Round: CB Marcus Jones, Houston, 5’ 8” 185 lbs.
Superfast defender with elite return ability. Strong stats on defense, including 5 interceptions in 2021. On special teams last year, returned 2 punts and 2 kickoffs for touchdowns… 4 of his incredible 9 career return touchdowns in college.
2nd Round: WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor, 6’ 3” 182 lbs.
More speed. Ran a world-class 4.28 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine. At Baylor, he rolled up statistics indicative of that speed. In 2021, he averaged 15.3 yards per catch (62 receptions-948 yds.), racing for 10 touchdowns. Baylor went 12-2 and won the Sugar Bowl, during which Thornton was largely shut down but managed to score a 2 yard touchdown.
Groh: “There’s only so many ways to handle speed. These guys wake up every morning and they’re fast. It’s a great gift.”
1st Round: OL Cole Strange, Tenn.-Chattanooga, 6’ 6” 301 lbs.
Get ‘em all out of the system: Strange Days Indeed, When You’re Strange, Strange Choice, etc. There’s something about Strange that led Belichick to pounce in the first round, when various draft analysts suggest he would have been there much later. The Moccasins don’t produce a lot of pro football players, but scouts believe Strange will be one of them. Projects at guard or center.
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One UConn player was drafted: Defensive tackle Travis Jones (6’ 4”, 333 lbs.), in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl. Attended Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.