Patriots' Draft Misses: Hendrickson, Kittle, Conner

0:00It's March 22nd. Welcome to NFL News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with the story. Looking back at the 2017 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots passed on defensive in Trey Hendrickson, who went to the New Orleans Saints, at the 103rd pick. Instead, they took offensive lineman Antonio Garcia at number 85. Fast forward to 2026 free agency, and the patch showed real interest in Hendrickson before he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Hendrickson has been a standout, earning first team all pro honors in 2024, and finishing second in defensive player of the year voting. That season, the 31-year-old led the league with 17 to 5 sacks in 2024, matching his total from the year before. Patriots fans often wonder what could have been, especially with their dynasty winding down around Mad Draft. They already had Rob Grankowski at tight end, but George Kittle was still available at pick 146, taken by the San Francisco. 49ers.

1:00Kittle became a two-time first team all pro, with over a thousand receiving yards four times. Another miss was running back James Conner, drafted 105th by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's rushed for a thousand yards twice in recent seasons, adding depth the paths could have used. Hindsight shows how those mid-round gyms might have extended New England's run, but draft decisions like these keep the what-if debates alive for.