3 Draft Picks the Patriots Gave Up on Too Early

The New England Patriots have been praised for their ability to draft players who can thrive in their system in ways they simply wouldn't elsewhere. This method worked, as evidenced by their six Super Bowl titles this century, but that doesn't mean they've always made the right decision. In fact, they've made a handful of massive blunders that ought to have fans wondering what could have been.

With that in mind, let's identify three draft picks that the Patriots ultimately gave up on way too early.

3. QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo was New England's original contingency plan once Tom Brady decided to leave. / Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Before there was Jarrett Stidham, there was Jimmy Garoppolo. Head coach Bill Belichick was intrigued by the former Eastern Illinois quarterback, as he used a second round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft to select him. Garoppolo was called into action after Tom Brady was handed a four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate, and he showed the potential of being a quality starting signal-caller. Jimmy G was the contingency plan...until he wasn't. The Patriots were basically forced to choose between Brady and Jimmy G, and the future Hall of Famer won out. New England traded Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers, and watched as their former quarterback of the future lead them to Super Bowl LIV this past season. Here's hoping Stidham works out!

2. RB Curtis Martin

The Patriots allowed Curtis Martin to sign with the rival Jets as an restricted free agent. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Before Curtis Martin was a New York Jet, he was a third-round pick by the Patriots in 1995. Martin was impressive throughout his three seasons in New England, as he accumulated 3,390 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns while catching 117 passes for 890 yards and five receiving scores. Unfortunately for New England, they couldn't retain the electric running back. Martin was a restricted free agent, and the Jets were all-in on stealing him from their division rival. New York's head coach at the time, Bill Parcells, signed Martin to a six-year, $36 million contract, and the Patriots couldn't match it due to their limited amount of cap space. New England would receive the Jets' first- and third-round selections in the 1998 NFL Draft, going on to select Georgia running back Robert Edwards and Michigan fullback Chris Floyd. Both flamed out of the league in promptly enough, while Martin solidified himself as a Hall of Famer during his nine years with Gang Green.

1. LB Chandler Jones

Chandler Jones could've been New England's premier pass rusher for the foreseeable future. / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

This decision probably stings the most for the Patriots right now. New England selected Chandler Jones in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he immediately proved that he's a force to be reckoned with off the edge. In his four years with the Patriots, Jones tallied 211 tackles, 64 quarterback hits, 36 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. Yet, the Patriots opted to move on from him after four years due to off-field issues, and subsequently traded him to the Arizona Cardinals. Since his move to the desert, Jones proved that he's an elite linebacker in today's NFL. Through four seasons with the Cardinals, Jones racked up 210 tackles, 98 quarterback hits, 60 sacks, and 17 forced fumbles. If the Patriots had kept him, they might have added more Lombardi Trophies to the glass case. This is a lesson for all teams -- never give up on guys who can get to the quarterback.