FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been part of 30 NFL drafts. He has pinpointed the 31st as unprecedented for his franchise, calling it the "most anticipated NFL draft of our tenure."
Never in Kraft's reign have the Patriots had a pick as high as they do this year -- third overall, their highest since taking Patriots Hall of Fame defensive end/outside linebacker Willie McGinest with the No. 4 overall pick in 1994, months after Kraft purchased the franchise.
What they do at No. 3 will play a major role in defining the trajectory of a once-dynastic franchise.