"It's no secret how the Patriots have fallen to the bottom of the NFL barrel over the last few years, and it's not just because of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick departing the team. It's certainly a number of factors, but the biggest impact has been the lack of successful drafting, which has resulted in more busts than lifelong players to help the team improve every year."
"The Cowboys announced on Saturday that they had reached an agreement on an extension with guard Tyler Smith, signing him to a four-year, $96 million deal. At first glance, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Patriots. But Smith was in the same class as Cole Strange, who the Patriots selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, passing on Smith, who has become one of the best left guards in the NFL."
The Patriots have declined in recent years for multiple reasons, with failed drafting being a primary factor. Repeated draft busts produced fewer long-term contributors, leaving thin rosters from recent classes. Bill Belichick's late-tenure draft approach remained unchanged despite poor results, producing classes with few remaining players by 2025. Recent moves, such as trading 2024 second-round receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, highlight roster churn. The team passed on guard Tyler Smith in the 2022 class when selecting Cole Strange, and Smith has since earned a significant extension and become one of the league's top left guards.
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