Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots have a history of trading up and down (mostly down) the draft board, accumulating future picks along the way. It's unorthodox but effective. The 2009 NFL Draft has been no different. In fact, Belichick announced hours before the proceedings that the chances the Pats would trade into the top 10 were "less than zero." And he kept his word. New England worked the board, and didn't make their first selection until the second round. But UNC wide receiver Brandon Tate, taken in Round 3, could be the most memorable Patriots pick in this draft.
Midway through last season he was making his case as a potential first-round pick before he tore his ACL and missed the final two months. Then he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine and his stock slipped. NFL Network Mike Mayock thinks the Patriots will redshirt Tate next year -- he'll spend next season on the PUP list and later injured reserve -- but could be an integral part of the offense in 2010. Assuming he stays out of trouble.
Tate spoke with reporters today and acknowledged his mistakes.
"I made a mistake and all that is behind me," he said. "I'm just moving forward and ready to go to the NFL and play for the Patriots." Tate said he figured the test would affect his draft status, "but I was still waiting on that call because I knew someone would give me a chance and I thank the Patriots for that. I'm going to come in and be willing to work for them."Belichick has had some success with reclamation projects; Corey Dillion revived his career in New England after pouting his way out of Cincinnati, and Randy Moss actually starting trying when the Patriots saved him from Al Davis (for a fourth-round pick!).
Who knows what the future holds for Tate, but given New England's glut of draft picks, taking a flier on a potential game-changer makes a lot of sense.
NFL Draft Photos
Denver Broncos first-round draft picks Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, right, and Robert Ayers, left, a defensive end from Tennessee, stand together at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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New York Jets owner Woddy Johnson, left, presents Mark Sanchez, quarterback from Southern California, with his jersey as he is introduced to the media at the Jets practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Sanchez was selected as the fifth-overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
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Mark Sanchez, a quarterback from Southern California, is introduced to the media at the New York Jets practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Sanchez was selected as the fifth-overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
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Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, a Denver Broncos first-round draft pick, smiles as talks to the media at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Robert Ayers a defensive end from Tennessee, who was selected as the 18th pick in the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, responds to questions from the media at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Philadelphia Eagles draft picks wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (1) and running back LeSean McCoy (2) pose for photos Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)
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Denver Broncos first-round NFL draft picks Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, left, and Robert Ayers, right, a defensive end from Tennessee, pose with Broncos jerseys at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Robert Ayers, a defensive end from Tennessee, who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the NFL draft, holds a team jersey at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Ayers hometown is Bennettsville, S.C. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Indianapolis Colts first-round draft pick Connecticut running back Donald Brown talks with the media at the Colts headquarters in Indianapolis, Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)
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Indianapolis Colts first round draft pick Connecticut running back Donald Brown, center, poses with Colts coach Jim Caldwell, left, and team president Bill Polian, right, at the Colts headquarters in Indianapolis, Sunday, April 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-26-2009 @ 10:33PM
Murph said...
Shrewd moves. This is why the pats stay on top. Low risk high reward draft picks like this one coupled with moving slightly overrated but highly coveted free agents. Letting them become over paid veterans, taking up valuable cap space on someone else’s roster.
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4-27-2009 @ 5:58PM
papam11 said...
Nobody can even hazard a guess as to what goes through Belichick's mind, but I don't see a name on the Pats draft list that makes me say anything but "who"? They passed on a few highly rated linebackers, which was a need, and running backs? So for Cassell and Grable, all they got was Chung? And the negative on him, according to draft info, is that he's "poor on pass coverage" -----and he's a DEFENSIVE BACK?? DUH!!!!
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4-27-2009 @ 8:29PM
sandytarrdesign said...
In BB I trust.
Reply
4-28-2009 @ 3:23AM
patriots2207 said...
Bill got a lot more than just chung... he was able to get rid of cassel and vrable early and pick up springs, taylor and boden. hes a smart man... and wait till next year, chung will be another jerod mayo... and u will be asking urself... "how does he do it?"
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