Mid-season report for Patriot’s 2022 draft class

The Patriots made ten selections in the 2022 draft and signed four undrafted rookies. The Patriots currently have 11 of 13 rookies on the active roster. Some have been prominent starters, while some have yet to earn their role. In his final press conference before the bye week, head coach Bill Belichick said, “I think our rookie class has been attentive…They have a long way to go… There’ll be more and more difficult challenges in the future than they’ve already had.”

Although it has only been nine weeks, and still too early to grade a rookie on where they were taken, I look at how much their performance has affected the Patriots, including Pro Football Focus grades (if they meet the requirements) and my personnel grades.

LG Cole Strange – First round, 29th

The Patriot’s selection that the NFL laughed at, the Chattanooga product Cole Strange was the Patriot’s first pick from the 2022 draft. Immediately Strange filled the void at left guard, left by Shaq Mason. Strange has played in every game thus far and started the first seven weeks of the season before seeing his workload decrease. Over the last two weeks, Strange has been benched periodically during the game for Isaiah Wynn. On Sunday’s game against the Colts, the first-round pick only played 15 snaps. Strange started his young career well, but his recent lack of playing time is cause for some concern as he seems to have hit a rookie wall. Long-time veteran center David Andrews suffered a concussion in Week 7, and since Strange has struggled, but with the eventual return of Andrews, Strange should settle back in and start to increase his production. Talking to reporters, Strange said his demotion was due to “poor fundamentals.” However, the 24-year-old’s elite athleticism and physique remain one of the best in the league. One of the biggest priorities over the bye week should be getting the first-round pick back on track.

PFF grade: 50.2

Ben’s report card grade: B-

WR Tyquan Thornton – Second round, 50th

The speedy wide receiver missed out on the first five weeks of the season with a collarbone injury he suffered during the preseason. Since his return, Thornton has been on the field for 66% of the offensive snaps. The Baylor product has been active, but his results still need to back up his playing time. Overall he has caught nine passes on 19 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. The dual playmaker also has carried the ball three times for 16 yards and a touchdown. Thornton has had trouble catching the football as his catch rate is one of the lowest in the league, catching the ball 27.3% of the time. The wideout’s speed has yet to shine as it did during the summer, which may be a result of the lack of protection on the quarterback. ThorntonThonton’s emergence as the number three receiver is telling as he is behind DeVante Parker and Jakboi Meyers. Meyers is slated to hit free agency in the offseason, which may mean a more prominent role for Thornton.

PFF grade: 55.4

Ben’s report card grade: C

CB Marcus Jones – Third round, 85th

The special team’s star, Marcus Jones, has quickly emerged as one of the best returns in the NFL. With 13 punt returns, Jones is fourth in the NFL, averaging 13.4 yards per return. Jones is constantly giving the Patriots a good field position. In the kickoff game, Jones is seventh, averaging 24.3 yards per return. On defense, Jones’s snap count remains low (75), with his biggest game coming against the Browns, playing 34 snaps. The Houston product has registered four tackles and two passes defended, with his defensive production increasing each week. With Myles Bryant slated to become a free agent in the offseason, he is an early contender to take over his cornerback role.

PFF Grade: 70.7 DEF, 65.4 KR

Ben’s report card grade: B+

CB Jack Jones – Fourth round, 121th

Rookie Jack Jones may be the New England’s most impressive rookie, playing 344 snaps on defense. Jones has logged two interceptions this season, one of which turned into six. His ball anticipation is at the top of the NFL, and he has also been getting national attention, as ESPN ranked him 7th among all rookie defenders. With the departure of Pro bowler J.C. Jackson, many analysts were worried about the state of the cornerback room. Still, Jack Jones has shown why he could eventually become the number cornerback in New England. Jones is currently PFF’s highest-graded player in the NFL, earning an 86.9 grade. In addition, the Arizona State product has a 49.4 passer rating, which is the fifth-lowest of any corner. Already in the consideration for defensive player of the year, Jones will look to continue his dominance against more formidable passer teams down the stretch.

PFF grade: 86.9

Ben’s report card grade: A

RB Pierre Strong Jr. – Fourth round, 127th

Currently, the third running back in New England, Strong isn’t making a significant impact in the Patriot’s running game, as he has only logged one carry. Strong has mostly played on special teams, and his two kick returns combined for 48 yards. Damien Harris has missed his fair share of games, but New England seems content with Rhamondre Stevenson taking the entire load. The South Dakota State product has appeared in seven games but has played just ten offensive snaps, receiving one carry for 5 yards. Last week New England chose to elevate third-year running back J.J Taylor, and he took on the backup role as he played 27% of the snaps. Strong is the fastest running back in his class and is headed toward a redshirt year.

PFF Grade: 68.6

Ben’s report card grade: C-

QB Bailey Zappe – Fourth round, 137th

Starting the season as a reserve, New England’s third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe now holds the role of New England’s backup. When Mac Jones suffered an ankle injury in Week 3, Zappe suited up as the backup to veteran Brian Hoyer the following Sunday. Still, with Hoyer exiting the game with a concussion, it was all Bailey Zappe to finish Week 4. He then started Week 5 and Week 6 while playing most of Week 7. Quickley Zappe established himself as a reliable rookie quarterback, much like Mac Jones last year, but the struggles were apparent as the games went on, and he faced tougher defense. However, the Patriots ended up winning both of his starts against the Lions and Browns. Zappe became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts and post a 100+ passer rating in both. He became a fan sensation, and fans started to argue about Jones and Zappe’s skill set, but the starter job was Mac Jone’s too loose. However, having a reliable young backup on a rookie quarterback contract is a strong play in the NFL. Some believe Zappe could be traded in the coming years, much like Jaobby Bresiet or Jimmy Garpolo were during the Brady era.

PFF Grade: 67.1

Ben’s report card grade: B+

RB Kevin Harris – Sixth round, 183rd

The sixth-round pick Kevin Harris appears to be heading for a redshirt year. Harris, who began the season on the practice squad, recently got promoted to the active roster and has played in one game this season. Harris was notably a healthy scratch last Sunday, even with Damien Harris inactive. One of the more powerful back’s in the league, Harris has improved since the preseason, where he had a couple of costly fumbles. Surprisingly, the Patriots have Harris on the 53-man roster, as he is an offensive player and doesn’t play special teams.

PFF Grade: 48.1

Ben’s report card grade: C-

DL Sam Roberts – Sixth round 200th

Roberts, who survived roster cuts, usually is a healthy scratch on gameday. The defensive lineman has been active the last two weeks after logging 17 snaps in Week 5 and 22 snaps in Week 6. However, he saw his workload decrease in Week 7, where he played one snap. Roberts has the mold to be a strong defensive lineman, but he must develop before contributing to the defense. Roberts specialized in blocked field goals in college and played heavily on special teams when he was active. Barring injury, Roberts should be at the bottom end of the depth chart.

PFF Grade: 46.5

Ben’s report card grade: C

OL Chasen Hines – Sixth round, 210th

Hines, who didn’t see action early in the year, was mysteriously placed on the injured reserve. Hines was never listed on the injury report. Instead, he started the season on the NFI list and is slated for a redshirt year. One of the more likable selections, the LSU product will have to wait until later to showcase his raw talent.

PFF Grade: N/A

Ben’s report card grade: C-

OL Andrew Steuber – Seventh round 245th

The seventh-round pick suffered a hamstring before the draft and has yet to suit up for New England. Steuber is a big lineman standing at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds. The Michigan product was added to the non-football injury list (NFI) during the summer.

PFF Grade: N/A

Ben’s report card grade: N/A

ST Brenden Schooler – Undrafted

The most impressive undrafted rookie, Brenden Schooler, has been a special team monster thus far. Playing over 70% of the special team’s snaps, Schooler has recovered two fumbles and one blocked punt and is tied for second with seven solo tackles. New England has had a good history of drafting special teams with Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner, and Cody Davis.

PFF Grade: N/A

Ben’s report card grade: A

DL Damarcus Mitchell – Undrafted

Mitchell has also primarily played on special teams thus far. Mitchell has played a high percentage of special teams snaps (68%). Mitchell has tallied one solo tackle and two assists. However, Mitchell was involved in a miscue on a Jake Bailey punt when he rolled into the endzone, resulting in a touchback.

PFF Grade: N/A

Ben’s report card grade: B

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