2005 Record: 10-6
Points For: 379
Points Against: 338
Rushing Yards PG: 94.5
Rushing Yards Allowed PG: 98.8
Passing Yards PG: 257.5
Passing Yards Allowed PG: 231.4
Drafted:
1.21 (21) - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota  
2.4 (36) - Chad Jackson, WR, Florida (from Green Bay) 
3.22 (86) - David Thomas, TE, Texas  
4.9 (106) - Garrett Mills, TE, Tulsa (from Detroit) 
4.21 (118) - Stephen Gostkowski, K, Memphis  
5.3 (136) - Ryan O’Callaghan, OG, California (from Oakland) 
6.22 (191) - Jeremy Mincey, DE, Florida  
6.36 (205) - Dan Stevenson, OT, Notre Dame (Compensatory Selection) 
6.37 (206) - Le Kevin Smith, DT, Nebraska (Compensatory Selection) 
7.21 (229) - Willie Andrews, S, Baylor
Comments:
Getting Maroney, who will eventually take over for Corey Dillon was a great pick.  And, considering Dillon’s health issues, Maroney could get a chance to shine this season.  Maroney was rated as the second-best RB after the New Orleans Saints’ Reggie Bush on most draft boards and should flourish in the Patriots offense when he steps on the field.

I particularly like the Jackson pick because he has first-round talent, but fell into the second round because his game speed was questionable.  Umm, 120 receptions and 16 scores… that doesn’t say enough about his gameday RESULTS?  Hey, the Patriots lucked out and Jackson will be another weapon for Tom Brady to utilize.

I question drafting tight ends in back-to-back rounds, but we’re talking about the Pats here, so they probably know what they’re doing.  The first TE they took, Thomas, has great hands and an even greater work ethic.  The second TE, Mills, is a converted fullback that caught a ton of passes at Tulsa.  Not really sure how he’ll be used, especially considering how deep the position is for the Pats now with Daniel Graham and Ben Watson. 

The Pats probably could have gone defense to find eventual replacements for their “old” group of defenders, especially their LB corp.  The draft was definitely deep in that position, but again, these are the Pats and it’s hard to question them. 

Gostkowski is a very good kicker with the ability to hit from beyond 50 yards when the opportunity comes up.  O’Callaghan could be a very good bargain pick at five.  Mincey is a good DE that could switch to LB in the 3-4 due to his speed.  Stevenson came on as a senior at Notre Dame under former Patriots offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis.  Smith is a compact player that excels in a compact space.  Andrews could catch on with the Pats, but won’t get any consistent time on the field.
ENDSCORE GRADE: B