If you know the pattern here, the Patriots draft players who they anticipate can plug future roster holes. Some of those holes also coincide with today’s roster holes, but that’s not their intent here. Bill Belichick is very reluctant to rely on rookies until after they prove it on the field in training camp, practice, and during games. The Patriots addressed their two biggest weaknesses with their top two picks in the draft: getting a guy who can make contested grabs in tight coverage, and a physical cover player for larger receivers and tight ends that have killed the Patriots the past 3-4 seasons.
Linking the Patriots’ top draft picks to impending free agents or potential cuts
