NFL commissioner Roger Godell wasted little time handing out penalties after head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots were caught with the poorly hidden camera. Besides the monentary fines, he docked the Pats their first round pick.
For a lot of fans, media types, and even players, that penalty wasn't enough. They wanted a penalty that disabled New England from being able to compete. Some said they should be ineligible for the playoffs, suspend the coach, take away first round draft picks for two years or both first round picks this year.
They don't fully know the value of draft picks. A first rounder is expected to become a starter almost immediately. That might not be the case for the Patriots, but he will be a starter down the road. And if history is any indication, he could be a very good one. Let's take a look back over the past 10 years of 31st picks overall, which would had been the Patriots selection:
2007: TE Greg Olsen, Chicago
He showed flashes or being a spectacular and productive player when a Bears quarterback can get him the ball
2006: CB Kelly Jennings, Seattle
He doesn't start for the Seahawks...yet. He eventually will line up opposite Marcus Trufant for a pair of shutodwn corners
2005: DT Mike Patterson, Philadelphia
Though undersized, he is starting for the Eagles and is an effective one-gap tackle for Philly
2004: WR Rashawn Woods, San Francisco
The 49ers were looking for a number one receiver but Woods was one of many busts drafted over the years
2003: CB Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland
He's considered one of the best corners in the league
2002: LB Robert Thomas, St. Louis
Injuries hindered his career, but he started 30 of 42 games with the Rams and 10 of 14 games with the Raiders
2001: WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
A two-time Pro Bowler whom nudged aside Marvin Harrison (heard of him?) as the Colts primary target of Peyton Manning
2000: LB Keith Bullock, Tennessee
He played on bad teams, but he quietly is a star defender with five 100+ tackle seasons and 16 career interceptions
1999: DE Patrick Kearney, Atlanta
Three double-digit sack seasons including 14.5 with Seattle last year, second most in the league
1998: RB John Avery, Miami
Briefly looked like an explosive addition as a third down back and returner but quickly burned out
So out of the last 10 31st overall picks, just two were complete busts. Who would be available at 31st overall? A short list off the top of my head would include LBs Quentin Groves, Jerod Mayo, and Curtis Lofton; WRs DeSean Jackson, Mario Manningham, Andre Caldwell, and Early Doucet; CBs Brandon Flowers, Reggie Smith and Antoine Cason; S DaJuan Morgan. Any of these players would become a starter for the Pats with just one year of situational play.
History says the 31st pick will become a very good to great player. Unfortunately we will never know if he would become that for the Pats.
A player the Patriots likely won't draft is RB Darren McFadden, though I do have my thoughts about him.
Keywords: Andre Caldwell, Antoine Cason, Atlanta Falcons, Bill Belichick, Brandon Flowers, Chicago Bears, Curtis Lofton, DaJuan Morgan, DeSean Jackson, Early Doucet, Greg Olsen, Indianapolis Colts, Jerod Mayo, John Avery, Keith Bullock, Kelly Jennings, Mario Manningham, Miami Dolphins, Mike Patterson, New Engalnd Patriots, Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders, Patrick Kearney, Philadelphia Eagles, Quentin Groves, Rashawn Woods, Reggie Smith, Reggie Wayne, Robert Thomas, Roger Godell, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans
