Patriots’ 2022 draft slot official after end of Wild Card round

Author Alex Barth

January 17th, 2022 1:18 PM

As their season comes to a close, the Patriots’ draft slot is now set. Between the loss to the Buffalo Bills and other decisions from Wild Card Weekend, New England officially owns the 21st selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

If the Patriots keep the pick, it will be just the third time in the last nine years they make a selection in the top 25. That includes quarterback Mac Jones, who went 15th, as well as tackle Isaiah Wynn, the 23rd overall pick in 2018.

The Patriots have drafted 21st six times in franchise history, with mixed results. They originally owned the selected three times, and traded for it three times. Here’s a look at whom they’ve taken in that spot…

• 1967: DB John Charles, Purdue

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  The Patriots took Charles, the 1966 Rose Bowl MVP, 21st overall in the 1967 AFL/NFL Draft. It was the first common draft to include teams from both leagues, three years before the official merger. Charles played three seasons for the Patriots and tied for the team lead with four interceptions in 1969.

• 1976: FS Tim Fox, Ohio State

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  Fox (top-right) proved to be a strong selection right away, with three interceptions and four fumble recoveries as a rookie on a playoff-bound '76 team. He'd end up starting at safety for the Patriots for six years, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1981.

• 2002: TE Daniel Graham, Colorado

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  The Patriots acquired this pick after a series of trades, which can actually be traced back to the deal that got them Bill Belichick from the New York Jets. Graham was a contributor during two Super Bowl runs, and tied for the team lead in touchdowns in 2004 with seven.
• 2004: DL Vince Wilfork, Miami

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  Setting the standard on this list is Wilfork, who became a franchise cornerstone in 11 years in New England. Anchoring the Patriots' defensive line for more than a decade, he was named an All-Pro five times and won two Super Bowls. The Patriots originally acquired this pick the year before, in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.

• 2006: RB Laurence Maroney, Minnesota

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  Maroney's first two seasons in New England were actually somewhat successful. He had 939 yards from scrimmage with seven touchdowns in 14 games as a rookie, splitting time with Corey Dillon. He then had a 244-yard performance in the playoffs the next year. However, injuries prevented him from contributing much beyond that, and he was traded at the start of the 2010 season.

• 2012: DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse

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  The Patriots traded up to draft Jones, who became one of the best pass rushers of the Bill Belichick era. He posted seasons of 11.5 and 12.5 sacks - the latter still stands tied for the single-season record in New England under Belichick. After 36 sacks in four years, Jones was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on an expiring contract. He's since established himself as one of the premier defensive players in football.

While the Patriots have traded into the 21st spot three times (Graham, Wilfork, Jones), they’ve never traded out of it. The three times it’s been their original selection, they’ve made the pick. Of course, every year is a new year and there’s a first time for everything.

Who is projected to be on the board with the 21st pick? We’ll have plenty of draft coverage on 98.5 The Sports Hub and 985TheSportsHub.com in the coming months to really break down the options, but there are a few names to know to get started. According to NFLMockDraftDatabase.com, the current consensus 21st player on big boards is Georgia DL Jordan Davis, while the consensus 21st pick in mock drafts is Florida CB Kaiir Elam. Other players who have been commonly linked to the Patriots in that range are Ohio State receiver Chris Olave, and Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks.

The first round of the NFL Draft is set for April 28, with the ensuing rounds over the next two days. This year, the event is being held in Las Vegas.

MORE: A look at the Patriots’ pending free agents

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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