Bill Belichick didn’t make a first-round pick prior to his first season as New England Patriots coach. In acquiring Belichick, team owner Robert Kraft traded the Patriots’ 2000 first-rounder to the rival New York Jets following contentious negotiations that required mediation by then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
In 2001, the Patriots picked sixth overall after a 5-11 season. They were toothless on offense, and despite Troy Brown and Terry Glenn on the roster, there was mass speculation that Michigan wideout David Terrell could be the pick at No. 6 overall.
Belichick had other ideas.