The New England Patriots own the greatest draft selection of all time in sixth-round quarterback Tom Brady, but their history of first-round NFL Draft picks also played a hand in establishing their dynasty of the 2000s. Here’s a look at how the Patriots have fared in Round 1 since entering the league in 1961.
New England Patriots First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
The Patriots have sent four first-round picks to the Hall of Fame — two in the 1970s and two in the dynastic era of the 2000s. While that number is somewhat small, Bill Belichick also graced the team with numerous Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-rounders at his dynasty’s peak, among them Vince Wilfork, Logan Mankins, Brandon Merriweather, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, Chandler Jones, and Dont’a Hightower. Of the group, Mankins, Wilfork, and Jones could eventually field Hall of Fame consideration.
2024
- Drake Maye | Pick 3
QB, North Carolina
2023
- Christian Gonzalez | Pick 17
CB, Oregon
2022
- Cole Strange | Pick 29
OL, Chattanooga
2021
- Mac Jones | Pick 15
QB, Alabama
2020
The Patriots traded their 23rd pick to the Los Angeles Chargers.
2019
- N’Keal Harry | Pick 32
WR, Arizona State
2018
- Isaiah Wynn | Pick 23
OT, Georgia - Sony Michel | Pick 31
RB, Georgia
2017
The Patriots traded their 32nd pick to the New Orleans Saints.
2016
The Patriots lost this pick following the Deflategate investigation.
2015
- Malcom Brown | Pick 32
DT, Texas
2014
- Dominique Easley | Pick 29
DT, Florida
2013
The Patriots traded their 29th pick to the Minnesota Vikings.
2012
- Chandler Jones | Pick 21
DE, Syracuse - Dont’a Hightower | Pick 25
LB, Alabama
2011
- Nate Solder | Pick 17
OT, Colorado
2010
- Devin McCourty | Pick 27
DB, Rutgers
2009
The Patriots traded their 23rd pick to the Baltimore Ravens.
2008
- Jerod Mayo | Pick 10
LB, Tennessee
2007
- Brandon Meriweather | Pick 24
DB, Miami (FL)
2006
- Laurence Maroney | Pick 21
RB, Minnesota
2005
- Logan Mankins | Pick 32
G, Fresno State
2004
- Vince Wilfork | Pick 21
NT, Miami (FL) - Ben Watson | Pick 32
TE, Georgia
2003
- Ty Warren | Pick 13
DE, Texas A&M
2002
- Daniel Graham | Pick 21
TE, Colorado
2001
- Richard Seymour* | Pick 6
DE, Georgia
2000
The Patriots forfeited the 16th pick as compensation for hiring Bill Belichick.
1999
- Damien Woody | Pick 17
C, Boston College - Andy Katzenmoyer | Pick 28
LB, Ohio State
1998
- Robert Edwards | Pick 18
RB, Georgia - Tebucky Jones | Pick 22
DB, Syracuse
1997
- Chris Canty | Pick 29
DB, Kansas State
1996
- Terry Glenn | Pick 7
WR, Ohio State
1995
- Ty Law* | Pick 23
DB, Michigan
1994
- Willie McGinest | Pick 4
DE, USC
1993
- Drew Bledsoe | Pick 1
QB, Washington State
1992
- Eugene Chung | Pick 13
G, Virginia Tech
1991
- Pat Harlow | Pick 11
OT, USC - Leonard Russell | Pick 14
RB, Arizona State
1990
- Chris Singleton | Pick 8
LB, Arizona - Ray Agnew | Pick 10
DT, North Carolina State
1989
- Hart Lee Dykes | Pick 16
WR, Oklahoma State
1988
- John Stephens | Pick 17
RB, Northwestern St. (LA)
1987
- Bruce Armstrong | Pick 23
OT, Louisville
1986
- Reggie Dupard | Pick 26
RB, SMU
1985
- Trevor Matich | Pick 28
C, BYU
1984
- Irving Fryar | Pick 1
WR, Nebraska
1983
- Tony Eason | Pick 15
QB, Illinois
1982
- Kenneth Sims | Pick 1
DE, Texas - Lester Williams | Pick 27
NT, Miami (FL)
1981
- Brian Holloway | Pick 19
OT, Stanford
1980
- Roland James | Pick 14
DB, Tennessee - Vagas Ferguson | Pick 25
RB, Notre Dame
1979
- Rick Sanford | Pick 25
DB, South Carolina
1978
- Bob Cryder | Pick 18
OT, Alabama
1977
- Raymond Clayborn | Pick 16
DB, Texas - Stanley Morgan | Pick 25
WR, Tennessee
1976
- Mike Haynes* | Pick 5
DB, Arizona State - Pete Brock | Pick 12
C, Colorado - Tim Fox | Pick 21
DB, Ohio State
1975
- Russ Francis | Pick 16
TE, Oregon
1974
The Patriots traded their ninth pick to the San Francisco 49ers.
1973
- John Hannah* | Pick 4
G, Alabama - Sam Cunningham | Pick 11
RB, USC - Darryl Stingley | Pick 19
WR, Purdue
1972
The Patriots traded their 17th pick to the Los Angeles Rams.
1971
- Jim Plunkett | Pick 1
QB, Stanford
1970
- Phil Olsen | Pick 4
DT, Utah State
1969
- Ron Sellers | Pick 6
WR, Florida State
1968
- Dennis Byrd | Pick 6
DE, North Carolina State
1967
- John Charles | Pick 21
DB, Purdue
1966
- Karl Singer | Pick 3
OT, Purdue
1965
- Jerry Rush | Pick 7
DT, Michigan State
1964
- Jack Concannon | Pick 1
QB, Boston College
1963
- Art Graham | Pick 7
WR, Boston College
1962
- Gary Collins | Pick 6
WR, Maryland
1961
- Tommy Mason | Pick 3
RB, Tulane
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
