While Drake Maye gets most of the attention for the New England Patriots, and rightly so after finishing second in the MVP race, several drafted players have been huge contributors and helped get New England to the Super Bowl LX. These young draft picks have had outsized impacts, proving the Patriots’ front office is finding significant value late in drafts.
CB: Marcus Jones - (2022 NFL Draft - Round 3, Pick 85)
The Patriots’ best draft value on the roster may be Marcus Jones, who has made a major impact on both defense and special teams. The 2022 third-round pick has returned two punts for touchdowns this season and owns the best statistical punt return average in NFL history at 14.6 yards per return, with a minimum of 75 attempts. Defensively, Jones was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October and has recorded three interceptions this season. His production on both sides of the ball underscores why he has been one of New England’s best draft selections in recent years.
OG: Mike Onwenu - (2020 NFL Draft - Round 6, Pick 182)
The Patriots highest-graded offensive lineman this season is 2020 sixth-round pick Mike Onwenu. He allowed just two sacks all year and has not surrendered one since Week 15. Onwenu was also the only offensive lineman among the four teams that reached the conference championships who did not allow a single pressure. Coming into the 2020 NFL Draft, the biggest concern was his lack of athletic ability, but former NFL Mock writer Dan Schmelzer was high on Onwenu and projected him as a late-round steal, a projection that has clearly held up.
The only OL with 0 pressures allowed on Championship Sunday:
— PFF (@PFF) January 27, 2026
Mike Onwenu 🧼 pic.twitter.com/MNdPZFqwWC
S: Craig Woodson - (2025 NFL Draft - Round 4, Pick 106)
Coming into the 2025 NFL Draft, former Cal safety Craig Woodson was not highly regarded. NFL.com projected him primarily as a special teams contributor, and Musket Fire graded him as the Patriots’ lowest-rated draft pick after New England selected him in the fourth round. He shattered those expectations and may have been the Patriots’ most productive rookie. No New England defender logged more snaps this season than Woodson, and no safety earned a higher postseason grade from PFF. In hindsight, this pick was a clear win.
WR: Kayshon Boutte - (2023 NFL Draft - Round 6, Pick 187)
The Patriots landed former LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a disappointing 2022 season plagued by drop issues. His career started slowly, and he entered this season firmly on the roster bubble. That changed quickly. Boutte broke out, finishing third in the NFL at 17 yards per catch and leading New England this postseason with 147 receiving yards. Expect him to be Drake Maye’s top target on Sunday.
WR: Demario Douglas - (2023 NFL Draft - Round 6, Pick 210)
Another sixth-round find from the 2023 NFL Draft, Demario Douglas has also carved out a significant role in the Patriots’ offense. While his receptions dropped from 66 last season to 31 this year, his efficiency spiked, as he posted a career-high 14.4 yards per catch. Coming out of Liberty, Douglas was known for his ability to create yards after the catch, and that trait has translated to the NFL. He is averaging 7.5 yards after the catch per reception this season, making him a reliable playmaker despite lower volume.