Now that it's been four years since the 2012 NFL Draft, enough time has passed to objectively grade how the Patriots draft class from that year worked out. The Patriots drafted DE Chandler Jones from Syracuse, LB Dont'a Hightower from Alabama, DB Tavon Wilson from Illinois, DE Jake Bequette from Arkansas, ST Nate Ebner from Ohio State, CB Alfonzo Dennard from Nebraska, and WR Jeremy Ebert from Northwestern.
1st (21): Chandler Jones, ED, Syracuse: A-
The Patriots had the Saints first round draft pick from a draft day trade from the previous season. The Patriots were initially expecting Jones to go to the New York Jets 16th overall, but the Jets wound up taking Quinton Coples instead.