The New England Patriots were heavily criticised for their picks in the recent NFL Draft. Nearly every expert gave the Patriots a very poor grade. Now, the six-time champions have spoken out – and most importantly, explained their decision to forgo a pick for a linebacker.

Munich/Foxborough – Nearly every mock draft by an NFL pundit resembled one another at No. 21, where the New England Patriots were supposed to select their player and most agreed it would be a linebacker.

In the end, however, things turned out quite differently. The Patriots traded back to No. 29 and took offensive lineman Cole Strange – to the surprise of most. The Patriots didn’t pick up a linebacker in the later rounds either, although promising talent Nakobe Dean was available until round three.

Matt Groh explains Patriots’ picks

In the first press conference after the talent draft, Patriots Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh answered questions and explained the Patriots’ draft strategy.

The assistant to de-facto general manager Bill Belichick is excited about the Patriots’ draft class: “I’m super excited about the group we have together. “

When asked about missing out on a linebacker, Groh elaborated, “We still have Cameron McGrone, who missed a lot of the season with an injury. That’s like an extra draft pick.” McGrone was a fifth-round pick of the Patriots from last year, but he has yet to play in a game due to a torn ACL.

Similarly, Raekwon McMillan also missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL. “With them, we’ve already rejuvenated our linebacker group and made it faster,” noted Groh, 41. In free agency, the Patriots had parted ways with linebackers Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower.

Groh sees no problems at linebacker depth

Despite that, Groh doesn’t see any problems with the depth of the linebacker group. “We did trade for Mack Wilson,” the Belichick assistant said. “I know that probably got lost on you guys with this crazy free agency, but we’re super excited to have him. Then we also get Ja’Whaun Bentley back. We’re very happy with our group,” Groh ends his plea.

Mack Wilson came over from the Cleveland Browns in the spring in exchange for pass rusher Chase Winovich, who didn’t confirm his good rookie year.

After the draft, the Foxborough franchise also secured the services of Undrafted Free Agent DaMarcus Mitchell from Purdue.

It wouldn’t be the first UFA Bill Belichick has molded into a star, especially on defense.