The New England Patriots selected four prospects ahead of Stephen Gostkowski in the 2006 NFL draft.
Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney, Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson, Texas tight end David Thomas and Tulsa H-back Garrett Mills were cards filled out. Those cards combined to play in 163 career games during their stays in the league.
The kicker out of Memphis has played in 204 all his own, if excluding 28 playoff contests.
But Gostkowski’s run in New England ended Monday with his release. It’s a run that ends after 14 years and as not only the franchise’s longest-tenured player after quarterback Tom Brady became a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, but as the franchise’s all-time scoring leader.