New Horizons

As the draft excitement rang through the halls of Barclays Arena 7 years ago, many Patriots fans were ecstatic. Season 28 was all about Tom Brady and his retirement tour. The hall of fame QB ended his illustrious career with 37 TDs and 1 MVP award. However, the story of the year was the defense. Despite the talent on that end, and Brady's success on offense, the Patriots found themselves at 7-9 on the year. Ricky Chapstick found himself outside of the postseason -- Again.

Defensive Backs Malcolm Butler, Cyrus Jones, Devin McCourty and Logan Ryan had allowed the leagues most passing yards. A talented linebacking corps led by Jabaal Sheard and Jamie Collins could not provide help in the box. Butler was named to the pro-bowl that season, despite the shortcomings of the defense overall. Playcalling had never been Chapstick's strength and that effect was felt in full force in Season 28.

Fast forward to the first draft of the cycle, the Patriots entered with intentions and needs to bolster a defensive unit that looked junior varsity at times during the previous season. Vehement to build for the following draft, however, coach Ricky Chapstick continued to trade back and left himself with the 28th pick in the 1st round. To many fans dismay, the Patriots drafted outside linebacker Ruben Baskett. Baskett's career with Michigan St. was not one of flair, but of sheer power, racking up over 36 sacks in his 5 year career. Standing at 6'5'', 290 lbs, Baskett was an exemplary athlete who was able to take over games both with size and speed alike. Many questioned the Patriots to take another pass rushing OLB, having 3 talented players already on roster.

With the 21st pick in the 2nd round, the Patriots elected to stay defense, selecting Indiana Cornerback Brion Murrell. Despite a successful collegiate career, Murrell was not considered fast or strong enough to play cornerback in the RedZone. With 8 corners taken in the 1st round, the moved seem like desparation from coach Chapstick to get in on the trend before it was too late.

The rookie years of these two players was not one to be remembered, nor was it overall for the Patriots organization. The Patriots ended once again outside of the postseason. Brion Murrell could not find playing time and was nearly cut for his inability to man-to-man defense on the outside. With talented wide receivers entering the division every year, it looked as if Murrell's career would be short in this league. He managed just 1 pass deflection in 8 games and was benched much of the season. The same could be said for towering linebacker Ruben Baskett. He struggled to stop the run coming from the outside and was only used as a spot rusher on passing downs. Although his pure skill managed to net him 4 sacks during his rookie year, it was obvious to all pundits watching that he was lost at times in the box.

Season 30: Breaking Out

As yet another draft neared, the Patriots were beginning to garner a reputation as a perennial punching bag and one of the worst defensive teams in the league. This time, new quarterback Connor Cook had only aging weapons (Edelman, Hogan, Gronk, Blount) to help the offense along, so Chapstick found it necessary to draft in that direction the following year. Enter Minitron. A name given from offensive coordinator and former Chapstick quarterback C.T. Quarles, Russ Harris out of Auburn fit the bill. The 5'8'', 173 lbs Ft. Lauderdale native quickly made a name for himself by torching opposing secondaries with his frontline speed and dangerous quickness.

As Harris continued to put up incredible numbers in Season 30, Ruben Baskett and Brion Murrell quietly learned new positions. Chapstick had moved Baskett to the defensive line, and Brion Murrell had taken over as the Patriots starting free safety following the departure of Devin McCourty. All the fuss was centered around the offense. Connor Cook began to unravel. Following multiple reports of locker room issues and lingering injuries, the coaching staff made the difficult decision to bench Cook for 7th round pick Kyle Potter. Russ Harris and Potter struggled to gain chemistry while the defense opened up in the opposite direction.

Season 30 drew to a close with the Patriots again missing out on the playoffs, however there was speculation that the team was headed in the right direction. Harris cleaned up with 75 catches and 1,300 yards receiving and becoming the focal point of the offense. Murrell became a force in the defensive backfield, getting over 100 tackles and intercepting 6 passes before being named to his first pro-bowl. Baskett terrorized running backs and quarterbacks alike, ending with 9 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. With less notoriety, the defense was slowly coming together... or so we thought.

Through The Pain

Throughout the next 4 seasons, the Patriots' front office continued to make poor player personell decisions from absurd free agent contracts (Aging Mychal Kendricks 2 years, $18m, Michael Brockers 5-years, $65m, 5 year, $300m on mediocre OL) to trades that outright ignored their most glaring weakness (Ameer Abdullah/Dont'a Hightower, Rich Jameson for a 1st, Todd Gurley for a 1st), the Patriots continued to struggle on the field and off. Many sources highlighted the disdain for coach Chapstick and his moves, citing his ignorance on defense and stubborness to run the football, even at the cost of valuable resources.

In Season 33, the Patriots drafted franchise QB Grant Terra, who has posted solid numbers aside Gurley, Harris, and Abdullah over the past 2 seasons. All while garnering the praise from media outlets, the defense continued to post 1st and 2nd year players, some of which have been taken directly off of the practice squad and thrown into the action. Baskett and Murrell were named team captains in Season 31, and have remained as such since signing their contract extensions throughout the end of the cycle.

The Patriots have seen bright spots in 2nd year CB Ben Scheffield (Rookie of the Year) and 3rd year MLB Oscar Doyle (Rookie of the Year), however the 4 talented players have continued to be dragged down by shaky playcalling and an even shakier supporting cast. Murrell has continued to show himself as the best free safety in football and Baskett plays 4 positions, exhibiting high level play in all of them.

Murrell (Season 29-34): 550 tackles, 20 interceptions, 60 pass deflections, 4 probowls
Baskett (Season 29-34): 97 TFL, 45 sacks, 1 probowl

Basket's 97 TFL is 1st among generated defensive lineman ranks 13th among active defensive lineman overall.
Brion Murrell's 20 interceptions ranks 1st among generated safeties and 2nd among all active safeties.

This is not a story of perseverance or redemption... as the Patriots hold a 43-51 record since they came to town. The two captains and longest tenured Patriots remaining on this always-changing and chemistry-less roster have continued to impress despite the teams shortcomings. They have never seen playoff action in their individually successful careers. When both were given opportunity to turn down extensions in the summer of Season 32, they declined to do so and opted to remain with this franchise long-term. We have finally hit the end of the road for this cycle. We are winding down a path to the next universe and only this year remains* for this franchise in it's current state.

Turmoil abound, Ricky Chapstick has managed to secure the majority of his final season's roster. One last shot at redemption in a time where parity is at an all-time high. One thing is for certiain however, when the dust clears, even if we don't see the Patriots past week 17 on this schedule... No one will forget that Brion Murrell was once a Patriot. No AFC East coach will soon forget that Ruben Baskett was once a Patriot.

Good luck in the draft and good luck in Season 35.