The New England Patriots kept things simple in the 2021 draft. From finessing the league by taking Mac Jones at No. 15 overall, to drafting a surefire stud in Christian Barmore in the second round to pouncing on punishing running back Rhamondre Stevenson in Round 4, it’s no surprise the class was a huge success.
The 2022 draft was much different for the Patriots. By reaching on their first two picks — Chattanooga offensive lineman Cole Strange and Baylor wideout Tyquan Thornton — Bill Belichick and Co. really went against the grain this year.
Perhaps the most surprising of New England’s moves came Houston Texans Jerseys when they drafted Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe in the fourth round to learn behind Jones and projected backup/mentor Brian Hoyer.
Patriots fans are still talking themselves into the pick — linebacker certainly was a more urgent need than QB — but former NFL general manager Randy Mueller couldn’t help but praise the selection to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Former NFL GM Randy Mueller loves the Patriots decision to draft Bailey Zappe in the fourth round.
Here’s what Mueller told Reiss about Zappe.
I wasn’t surprised. At that point in the draft, you’re trying to identify traits with players that maybe not everybody sees. And I think Bill [Belichick] and his crew have done as good a job at that as any, across the board at all positions.
I see a lot of positives in Bailey Zappe. When you get to the third day of the draft, I think it’s too much to turn your back on, regardless of position. Everybody seems to want to fill needs throughout [the draft], but I’m more about getting the Boston Red Sox Jersey best group of players and not bypassing good players to fill needs. And I think Bailey was one of those guys, although I don’t think everyone sees that.
Those are strong words from Mueller, who worked in the Seahawks, Saints and Dolphins front offices and was named Executive of the Year in 2000 with New Orleans. The former GM studied every QB prospect in this year’s class and his final rankings had Zappe ranked No. 2 behind Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett.
Part of the reason for that? The system Zappe played in at Western Kentucky, which Mueller believes was more advanced than most college offenses.
Despite having more to comprehend than seemingly most college QBs, Zappe thoroughly dominated Conference USA competition in 2021, completing 69.2% of his passes for 5,967 yards and 61 touchdowns (!) to just 11 interceptions.While going from Conference USA to the NFL is an indescribable jump, Zappe definitely landed in the right spot in New England. Getting mentored by Jones and Hoyer is one thing, but having Belichick as his coach and adopting the Patriot Way? Tough to think of a better destination for a fourth-round QB.