It’s time for the latest Mazz’s Tiers! With this week coinciding with the NFL Draft, Mazz ranked the best Patriots draft classes from the last 40 years!
But before the tiers, here’s a look at some of the players on Mazz’s list…
Devin McCourty was a safety for the New England Patriots from 2010 when he was drafted until he retired from the sport in 2023. McCourty was a three-time Super Bowl Champion in, along with being a two time pro bowler. During his career McCourty accounted for 35 interceptions, and even racked up 7 as a rookie in 2010. The dynamic safety was also responsible for forcing 11 fumbles and recovered 7 during the tenure of his career.
Drew Bledsoe was a quarterback for the Patriots from 1993 to 2001. Bledsoe was the highest player ever drafted in Patriots history after being drafted first overall in 1993 and was the face of the franchise throughout his tenure with the team. In his 9 years of being the Patriots quarterback, Bledose accumulated a record of 63-60, and guided the franchise to a Super Bowl appearance in 1996. Bledsoe was a pro bowler three times as a member of the Patriots in 1994,1996, and 1997.
Julian Edelman was a wide receiver for the franchise from 2009-2020 and went on to win three Super Bowl during his time as a Patriot. The former receiver was drafted in the seventh round out of Kent State. While at Kent State, Edelman was the quarterback for the team, but transitioned to wide receiver in the build up to the 2009 draft. Edelman only accumulated more then 1,000 receiving yards three times in his 11 year career, but he was as clutch as it comes as the player ranks third all time in both playoff receptions, and receiving yards in NFL History. Although the receiver was never named to the pro bowl or an all-pro team, Edelman was named Super Bowl MVP in 2018 after his 10 receptions for 141 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53.
Tier 1
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass against Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton (58) in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
1995 – Ty Law, Ted Johnson, Curtis Martin, Jimmy Hitchcock, and Dave Wohlabaugh
1976 – Mike Haynes, Pete Brock, and Tim Fox
2010 – Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Spikes, and Aaron Hernandez
Tier 2
23 Sep 2001: Drew Bledsoe #11 of the New England Patriots signals to his team against the New York Jets during the game at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Jets won 10-3. Credit: Ezra Shaw/ALLSPORT
1996 – Terry Glenn, Lawyer Milloy, and Tedy Bruschi
1977 – Raymond Clayborn, Stanley Morgan, Horace Ivory, and Don Hasselbeck
1993 – Drew Bledsoe, Chris Slade, Todd Rucci, Vincent Brisby, and Troy Brown
2001 – Richard Seymour and Matt Light
2003 – Ty Warren, Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel, and Dan Koppen
Tier 3
1975 – Russ Francis and Steve Grogan
1981 – Brian Holloway, Tony Collins, and Don Blackmon
1982 – Kenneth Sims, Andre Tippett, Robert Weathers, Cedric Jones, Fred Marion
1983 – Tony Eason, Johnny Rembert, Craig James, and Ronnie Lippett
2000 – Tom Brady
2009 – Patrick Chung, Sebastian Vollmer, and Julian Edelman
2011 – Nate Solder, Shane Vereen, and Marcus Cannon
2012 – Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower
2013 – Jamie Collins, Logan Ryan, and Duron Harmon
