Draft Memories

The NFL draft is tonight. I have many memorable draft moments during the course of my time as a fan. It's hard to select my favorites, but I have several drafts that I would like to mention.

1971

QB Jim Plunkett (1st) DT Julius Adams (2nd)

Plunkett brought credibility to the team after the AFL/NFL merger. The 1970 Heisman Trophy winner played with the Pats from 1971-1975. He ranks 6th on the all-time Pats list with 9,932 passing yards.

Adams is 2nd in team history with 15 seasons played from 1971-987 and 2nd with 207 games.

1973

G John Hannah, RB Sam Cunningham and WR Daryl Stingley were all drafted in the first round. Hannah became a Hall of Famer. Cunningham is the Pats all-time leader rusher with 5,453 yards on 1,385 carries. Stingley was on his way to a brilliant career before being paralyzed in a game against the Oakland Raiders.

1975

TE Russ Francis (1st) and QB Steve Grogan (5th). Francis was anointed the "All-World" TE by Howard Cossell. Perennial All -Pro with his blocking and pass catching. Grogan ranks 3rd in passing yards with 26,866 and completed 1,879 passes. He is the 15th leading rusher with 2,176 yards on 443 carries. His 35 rushing TD's rank 4th on the team.

1976

CB Mike Haynes, S Tim Foxx and C Pete Brock were all drafted in the first round. Haynes became a Hall of Famer. Fox and Brock had long careers at their positions.

1993

QB Drew Bledsoe was the number 1 overall pick and became the face of the franchise under the Kraft family through the 2001 season.

WR Troy Brown was drafted in the 8th round and became the team's all-time leading receiver with 557 receptions for 6,366 yards. Tied for 2nd with 15 seasons played and 4th with 192 games.

1996

WR Terry Glenn (1st), S Lawyer Milloy (2nd), LB Tedy Bruschi (3rd)

Glenn was the gifted, but flawed receiver. Played 6 seasons and ranks 6th with 329 receptions for 4,669 yards. Milloy played through the 2002 season before being released before the 2003 season. Bruschi became the heart and soul of the defense through 2008. He is tied for 4th with 13 seasons played and 6th with 189 games.

2000

QB Tom Brady (6th) Everyone wondered why they drafted a quarter back when they already had Drew Bledsoe, John Frieze and Michael Bishop. The rest is history.

So we never know how this draft will play out over the next few days. What will we think of it five years from now? Only time will tell.