The Patriots select their left tackle of the future and address their three biggest needs in this seven-round mock draft. 44 John Stephens Power back was never the same after his vicious collision with Jeff Fuller at Stanford in 1989. Mike Gesicki switched to 88 in 2019 after wearing 86 as a rookie and has become a top-end NFL tight end the past three seasons. There are some tough choices on here, but we're here to make them -- the 99 greatest Patriots players to wear their respective jersey number. 18 Randy Vataha Very productive receiver in the Plunkett days gets the nod over special teams captain Matthew Slater. 2 receiver for Bledsoe. Safety Devin McCourty details the state of the New England Patriots and why quarterback Mac Jones is still considered "The Guy". The three-time Pro Bowlerled the NFL in passing yards in 1964 with 3,465. 16 Jim Plunkett Another old quarterback is the only choice unless we're looking for some fun and Scott Zolak is involved. His career was cut short due to concussion issues. Today, well continue the series with tight end Martellus Bennett. Note: Colbert signed with the Patriots last week. 88, 83; Born: July 23, 1974 Columbus, Ohio: Died: November 20, 2017 (aged 43) Irving, Texas: Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) . 97 -- Jarvis Green, DE, 2002-09:An effective role player on the defensive line, Green spent his entire career with the Patriots, finishing with 28 sacks. 57 -- Steve Nelson, LB, 1974-87:Nelson spent all 14 of his NFL seasons with the Patriots, starting 171 games and making untold amounts of tackles (the NFL didn't track them at that point). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 3 leading receiver and all-time leader in receiving touchdowns. Heled the NFL in special teams tackles in 2016. Tim Goad, Mel Lunsford and Larry Eisenhower are some of the notable players to wear #72 in the past. 6 Ryan Allen He would be the choice for his performance in Super Bowl LIII alone but his solid work from 2013-18 is more than deserving anyway. Patent trader. 71 -- Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton, DL, 1973-81:Hamilton made 117 starts with the Patriots, but is often remember for the infamous phantom roughing the passer call against the Raiders in the 1976 playoffs. Kansas City Chiefs tight end wearing No. 1 overall pick trying to make his way with some rough Patriots teams. Its older brother, No. His boat is now called 7 rings. 40 Mike Haynes, CB, 1976-82: Played seven years in New England. 10 -- Jabar Gaffney, WR, 2006-08:Gaffney was an underrated receiver for three seasons in New England. Antwine is now a member of the All-AFL team and the Patriots Hall of Fame. 78 Bruce Armstrong Perennial Pro Bowler was an easy choice. 14 -- Steve Grogan, QB, 1975-90: One of the toughest guys to everplay quarterback, Grogan played 16 seasons with the Patriots. j 1945 says: Never played for another NFL team. Compare that to 2003, when a combined seven 80s and 81s topped their teams stats page. 64 Richard Bishop, DL 1976-81: Made 50 starts at defensive end and defensive tackle. Teams are around for a long time. 81 Randy Moss I was tempted to go Russ Francis here but Moss' 2007 masterpiece was too much to ignore. 75 Vince Wilfork, DT, 2004-14: Still going strong in Houston. WR Kenny Britt: #88.May 9, 2018. 12? August 12, 2021 at 1:23 pm 51 -- Jerod Mayo, LB, 2008-15:Mayo emerged as a leader in New England early in his career and looked like he was shaping up to be one of the Patriots' all-time great defenders. 68 Max Lane, OL, 1994-2000: Played in 100 career games and was a starter for four seasons. Edges out Rosevelt Colvin for this spot. 17 Mike Taliaferro This has been a bit of a cursed number for receivers in recent years so we'll go with the former QB over Aaron Dobson. 77 Tom Neville, OL, 1965-77: Longevity gives Neville the nod over other tackles like Nate Solder. 88 Terry Glenn Injuries and attitude prevented him from being an all-time great. 40-yard dash time didn't affect Peyton and Eli Manning's careers. Go behind the scenes with the Patriots coaching staff when they coached the East West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas earlier this month. A calendar of important upcoming dates for the NFL and the New England Patriots in 2023. 19, with the Jets then receiving permission from the league for him to continue wearing it. 74 -- Shelby Jordan, OT, 1975-82:Jordan had a solid right at right tackle for the Patriots, starting 87 games during his seven seasons. By Bernd Buchmasser @BerndBuchmasser Aug 7,. 81 -- Randy Moss, WR, 2007-10:A Hall of Famer and the main target on one of the best offenses of all time, Moss was unlike any other receiver in the NFL at the height of his powers. 48 Tim Fox, FS, 1976-81: A Pro Bowler in 1980, Fox made 91 starts with the Pats. Law isn't in Canton yet, but he's knocking on the door. Too bad we never got to see more of Malcolm Mitchell. Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. 69, enabling me to put them both on this list. 80 in Houston had worn No. 69, but only at the start of his career. Some numbers in sports need no context for their significance to be understood: No. Top prospects and storylines to watch from a Patriots perspective at the NFL Combine. 1 draft pick, Caserio looking to build new foundation with Ryans, Carroll: Smith's self-belief was key to success, Patriots officially re-issue Rob Gronkowskis number, Aaron Rodgers has concluded his darkness retreat, Lamar Jacksons camp leaks some information to Stephen A. Smith, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, Darkness retreat over, decision time arrives for Aaron Rodgers, Michael Irvins lawyer is mad as hell that Marriott refuses to produce surveillance video, Former Chiefs teammates rip LeSean McCoy, defend Eric Bieniemy, Tua Tagovailoa turns to Judo to avoid head injuries when falling, XFL 3.0 debuts to significantly lower ratings than XFL 2.0. 8.). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 84 in San Francisco. 6 -- Ryan Allen, P, 2013-present: Allen's 45.3 yards per punt would be the best in Patriots history if not for a random 57-yard punt by Matt Cassel in 2008. 66 Paul Fairchild, G, 1984-90: Started 38 career games in New England. 94 -- Ty Warren, DL, 2003-10: Often overshadowed because of his role in the 3-4 defense, Warren was a powerful defensive end who still managed to post 7.5 sacks in 2006. Gostkowski was drafted to replace a legend in Adam Vinatieri. Belichick keeps changing his own number. its a testimony to belichicks greatness that the pats cant retire numbers like 31 lesser franchises. 82 -- Vincent Brisby, WR, 1993-99:Brisby had a great to start to his career, following up a solid rookie season with back-to-back 900-yard seasons. 54 Tedy Bruschi, LB, 1996-2008: A three-time Super Bowl champ, Bruschi is the no-brainer selection here. He made four Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team in the Patriots' early days. Fortunately, Adams briefly wore No. Sure, it would be great to retire numbers for more players, but then you need triple digit numbers available. Note: Hoyer used to wear No. 2 before Hoyer re-signed with the Pats. Receiver Devin Ross wore it during mandatory minicamp, when he participated on a tryout basis. Patriots free agency profile: Is Damien Harris worth an investment? 64 -- Richard Bishop, DL 1976-81: Bishop played before sacks and tackles were tracked by the NFL, but did make 50 starts over six seasons. James O'Shaughnessy, #88: Martellus Bennett rocked #88 for the Patriots in 2016. 74 Shelby Jordan, OT, 1975-82: Made 87 starts at right tackle. Rob Gronkowski once had 17. Some are attached to them and are convinced they won't play as well wearing different digits. 70 Logan Mankins It takes quite a performance to beat out a franchise legend like Leon Gray, but that's how good Mankins was for the Patriots. 35 Jim Nance Another top-flight performer from the 1960s, Nance remains one of the best running backs in team history. 11. 43 Vagas Ferguson Another little-used number but the running back gets the nod largely because he spoke at my Pop Warner banquet in 1980. The Patriots have a major need at offensive tackle with several players set to hit free agency at the position. Williams gets the nod because he started 12 more games with the Pats. 78 -- Bruce Armstrong, OT, 1987-2000: Armstrongwas a marvel of longevity in the NFL. The runner-up here is probably Joe Cardona. The 2004 season was the first in which the league opened up Nos. WR Kenny Britt: #88 After being worn by four tight ends in a row - Martellus Bennett, Scott Chandler, Matthew Mulligan, Jake Ballard -, 88 returns to a wide receiver in the form of Kenny Britt.. 73 -- John Hannah, G, 1973-85: Easy pick. Therefore, while his role will likely not be as prominent as it was with the Bears, when he was quarterback Jay Cutlers security blanket, Bennett will be an important cog in New Englands offensive machine. 29 -- LeGarrette Blount, RB, 2013, 2014-2016: Outside a brief stint with the Steelers in the middle, Blount was an exciting mix of battering ram and breakaway runner who really shined in 2016, when he led the NFL with 18 touchdowns. 27 Ellis Hobbs Not a lot of strong candidates here but Hobbs win the cornerback battle over Ron Bolton, who was a starter in the early-to-mid-1970s. We tried to come up with the best player to wear each number, and while most were pretty cut and dried, some (like No. 27 Ron Bolton, CB, 1972-75: Intercepted 18 passes in 45 career starts. 66 -- Paul Fairchild, G, 1984-90: Lonie Paxton came close to being the second long snapper on this list. He finally got league-wide praise in 2017, when he earned his first Pro Bowl nod. 22 -- Asante Samuel, CB, 2003-07:Became a ball hawk at the end of his five-year run, an All-Pro selection in 2007. 85 in all other seasons, as did linebacker Nick Buoniconti, a four-time first-team All-Pro. It keeps the ex player in the minds of the fans instead of not ever seeing it again. So if the Patriots reissued 20, wed all still be talking about Gino Cappaletti? Made 44 career starts. There's a reason Tippett made it Canton. Only one No. And, as time goes on, theyre shying away from the 80s altogether. As the kids would say, No. The Patriots finally have revealed the numbers for the teams incoming class of rookies. 94 Ty Warren, DL, 2003-10: A two-time Super Bowl champ and an All-Pro selection in 2007. Latest Cheerleader News . Report: Patriots to work out free agent wide receiver Slade Bolden. 4 Adam Vinatieri Maybe someday Jarrett Stidham will make this a debate. 85. Tue Feb 28 - 02:00 PM | Thu Mar 02 - 11:55 AM. Could the Alabama band be getting back together in New England? src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Tight Ends Dwayne Allen, #83: Wes Welker wore #83 during his six-year career in New England. 77 every year hes played in the NFL. Its essentially the same with 81. 12 -- Tom Brady, QB, 2000-present:Brady has averaged 34 yards a punt on two attempts over 18 seasons. 15 -- Babe Parilli, QB, 1961-67: Sorry, Chris Hogan, Parilli was one of the great players from the early days of the Patriots franchise. 11 Drew Bledsoe, QB, 1993-2001: Julian Edelman might be the best player not on this list. 92). 49 Joe Cardona Long snappers aren't noticed until something goes wrong, which is why Cardona flies under the radar. His number 88 is recognized in the Pride of the Lions ring of honor on permanent display at Ford Field. The Patriot most closely associated with it, however, played another position: New England starting center Pete Brock wore the 58 jersey for 162 games over the 12 seasons from 1976 to 1987. 52 Ted Johnson Some interesting choices here but we'll go with Johnson over Johnny Rembert, who was a versatile piece to some solid Patriots teams in the mid-1980s. 51 Jerod Mayo, LB, 2008-15: Bill Belichick hit big on both of his top 10 picks with the Patriots (Richard Seymour was the other). 21 in his 10 years with the Cardinals, he will wear No. Intercepted 16 passes. He was an insane talent. 75 with the Patriots from 2016-2019, but changes to 67, a number he wore last season in Miami. 84 -- Deion Branch, WR, 2002-05, 2011-12:Branch wore No. New England Patriots roster breakdown: #88 TE Martellus Bennett The offseason acquisition projects to be the Patriots' number two tight end. 18 Matthew Slater, ST/WR, 2008-present: Slater beats out wide receiver Randy Vataha, who had over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in six seasons with the Pats. He wins this one practically by default. Belichick has 8 super bowl rings,6 with Patriots and 2 with Giants. Martin had 3,799 yards and 32 touchdowns in three years with the Pats. Several others changed numbers from a year ago. New England is getting some help at the wideout spot. Other candidates for this spot include Tom Tupa. Odds & lines subject to change. 47 Robert Edwards Another promising running back career ended too soon. 82 Vincent Brisby, WR, 1993-99: Had 900+ yards in two of his first three seasons. 61 Sam Adams Adams' presence on the best OL in team history earns him the spot among this rock solid group of offensive linemen that includes Marcus Cannon, Steve Neal and Ron Wooten. 58 is predominately a linebacker number: Shea McClellin, Darius Fleming and Matt Chatham all wore it in the past. The number that has since been worn mostly by role players like Chris Jones, Shaun Ellis and most recently Ricky Jean Francois. Recorded two sacks in Super Bowl XX. He tragically lost his life in a car crash in 2017. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Last worn by backup tackle Cameron Fleming, 71 has a rich but not necessarily star-powered history with the Patriots: Offensive linemen Russ Hochstein and Todd Rucci wore it in the 2000s and 1990s, respectively, while defensive linemen Ray Hamilton and Don Oakes called it their own in the 1970s and 1960s. So take a look at our list and let us know where we went wrong. Now, Gronks 87 will be worn. Note: Mills signed with the Patriots this offseason. The Combine is set to take place in Indianapolis this week. 11. 28? Julius Adams (1971-1987) did wear No. 50 Mike Vrabel A few to pick from here with Rob Ninkovich, Sam Hunt and Lawrence McGrew, but Vrabel's versatility wins out. Jalen Mills, defensive back Number: 2 Note: Mills signed with the Patriots this offseason. Calvin Johnson, Jimmy Graham and Dez Bryant each had 16. Made the Pro Bowl in six of them. I wouldnt call him the best ever over Gonzalez because of durability but this guy was an elite blocker and mismatch when running routes. 43 Ernest Gibson, DB, 1984-88: Made only 14 starts in five years, but beats out Nate Ebner and James Ihedigbo, 44 John Stephens, RB, 1988-92: Topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his. Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2015) Rod Shoate. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. The Patriots Hall of Famer played at a high level for a long time. 31 -- Fred Marion, FS, 1982-91:Move aside Brandon Meriweather, Marion spent his whole 10-year career in New England. 8 Josh Miller One of many solid left-footed punters in the Belichick era, Miller did his job well in 42 games from 2004-06. Patriots Cheerleader speaks at UConn's Annual Black Women in STEM Brunch. 3 - Stephen Gostkowski - The guy who replaced legend Adam Vinatieri did so with consistency and class, leaving as the team's all-time leading scorer. If Joe Thuney sticks around, this spot could be his. He will be wearing the number for a special reason. Jones' old number, No. give the great ones their day, put them in the ring, but theres only 99 numbers. For the Patriots, three players took advantage of the new rule. Both insane and talented. He posted 6.0 sacks in 1984. 20 Gino Cappelletti, everything, 1960-70: Cappellettis No. 88 -- Terry Glenn, WR, 1996-2001:A marvelous talent who clashed with coaches as time went on, Glen posted 90 catches and 1,132 yards as a rookie. Jones by a hair. There is probably more to story. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. 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