Bill Belichick's 5 biggest NFL draft busts of all time

A key component of Bill Belichick's New England Patriots dynasty has been the organization's ability to scout and develop prospects found deep in the NFL Draft.

Unearthing hidden gems in the lower rounds has enabled Bill Belichick to build a six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise in his own image. Of course, no under-the-radar discovery will ever eclipse the sixth-round 199th overall pick of the 2000 NFL draft: Tom Brady.

But for all of the future Pro Bowl stars Bill Belichick has selected in the early rounds, the Patriots head coach has his fair share of duds – especially on the offensive side of the ball.

In this article, we take a look at five of Bill Belichick's biggest NFL draft busts.

5 draft busts that were picked by Bill Belichick

#1 – Daniel Graham, tight end, 2002

Bill Belichick has long had a desire to partner a duo of physically imposing tight ends to power his offense, but before there was Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and most recently Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, the Patriots paired up 2002 first-round pick Daniel Graham and 2004 selection Benjamin Watson.

Where this strategy fell short was that Graham, who was taken with the 21st overall pick in 2002, struggled in the passing game, particularly with drops. The Colorado product was a solid blocker, but that was not enough for a first-round investment. Not when a player like nine-time Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed went to the Baltimore Ravens three picks later.

Graham had a meager career-best 409 yards receiving in 2003, and was released at the end of his rookie contract with an average of 275 yards per season. Belichick has since revealed he still uses tape of Graham as an example of how to execute the Patriots' offensive scheme.

#2 – Bethel Johnson, wide receiver, 2003

Selected with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 draft, Bethal Johnson was an absolute speed demon. The Texas A&M alumni ran a 4.37 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine but it has been reported he once ran a 4.26.

But, as we have seen many times before with speedsters coming out of the NFL draft, quickness doesn't always help translate into becoming an elite wide receiver.

While Johnson was an effective kick returner, he could not transition into a starting NFL wide receiver. Johnson made only 30 catches, totalling 450 yards in three seasons at the Patriots, before playing one more year in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and dropping out of the league.

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5 of Bill Belichick's biggest draft busts

#3 – Laurence Maroney, running back, 2006

In his 22 years in New England, Bill Belichick has drafted only two running backs in the first round of the NFL draft. Sony Michel was picked in 2018 and the Patriots recovered a fifth and a sixth-round pick for him in a trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.

Belichick didn't get so much for Laurence Maroney, trading a fourth-round pick for a sixth-round pick with the Denver Broncos to rid themselves of their 21st overall selection in the 2006 draft.

Maroney's career got off to a nice start, averaging 4.4 yards per carry during the first two seasons that yielded 13 touchdowns, but – soon after – he cratered. A shoulder injury ended his 2008 season after three games and the Minnesota graduate was never the same again.

Maroney contributed as a backup in 2009 with 3.9 yards per carry, but his struggles with protecting the ball resulted in Bill Belichick shipping him off to the Vikings. He lasted one more year in the NFL.

#4 – Chad Jackson, wide receiver, 2006

The 2006 draft did not turn out well for the Patriots. Bill Belichick selected Chad Jackson with the 36th overall pick in the second round, moving up 16 places and trading away a third-round pick to the Green Bay Packers. However, the wideout lasted even less time in New England than former first-round pick Laurence Maroney.

Jackson tallied 152 yards and three touchdowns off of only 13 receptions in a rookie season riddled with hamstring and groin injuries. He then tore his ACL in the 2006 AFC Championship game and was active for only two games of the 2007 season.

Jackson was cut by Bill Belichick in the 2008 pre-season and only suited up for four more NFL games for the Denver Broncos.

#5 – N'Keal Harry, wide receiver, 2019

The final pick on this list still has the opportunity to prove us wrong. N'Keal Harry was the 32nd and final pick in the 2019 draft. The big-bodied receiver started his rookie season on the injured reserve list, due to ankle injury. He did not catch on as anticipated with the NFL as a first-year player, recording 105 yards and two touchdowns off of 12 receptions in his seven games.

Year two was not a drastic improvement, playing 14 games, making 33 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps aware that the writing was on the wall under Bill Belichick, Harry requested a trade at the start of the 2021 season but a shoulder injury sank his exit strategy. Now he's back and, even though he has taken Cam Newton's number 1 jersey, he's likely to make very little impact.