2004 revisited

Having already picked Vince Wilfork 21st overall, the Patriots had one more first-round selection to make, 32nd overall. The team had Jones on its short list of prospects who would be an option at 32, envisioning him as a strong pairing with newly acquired Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk.

As the draft unfolded, the possibility of Jones winding up in New England looked like it could become a reality. The Chiefs were on the clock at 30 and they had picked running back Larry Johnson in the first round the prior year, so they likely wouldn’t select another back. The 49ers, at 31, seemed to be the only potential roadblock.

Yet as it turned out, while the Chiefs were on the clock, they traded their 30th selection to the Lions. Detroit then selected Jones.

The Patriots ended up with tight end Benjamin Watson.

Spinning things forward, a look back at the 2004 first round reveals how well the Patriots fared compared to other teams.

From picks 21-32, there are already two players out of the league completely (CB Ahmad Carroll, WR Rashaun Woods) and two have either been cut or are with new teams (LB/DE Jason Babin, Jones). Another is seemingly on his way out of town (Bills QB J.P. Losman), while two other players didn’t play a snap last year due to injury (DT Marcus Tubbs, RB Chris Perry).

So looking back, while Watson has probably disappointed some by not living up to the high expectations that followed him to New England, the Wilfork-Watson combo rates highly compared to what has happened with their first-round peers.