Over the course of the New England Patriots dynasty, the secondary has been a staple of consistency. In the past 10 years alone, the Patriots have had six different players reach the Pro Bowl: Devin McCourty, Darelle Revis, Aqib Talib, Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, and J.C. Jackson. This is a position group that has been pivotal in each and every championship run in New England. Bill Belichick, the head coach and general manager, has been able to pick up some of these aforementioned Pro Bowlers post-draft, such as Jackson and Butler. However, much of the consistency behind the Patriots' secondary has been built through the draft. Within the past 10 years, the Patriots have drafted 13 defensive backs. There is a history and pattern to how Belichick drafts within this position, which could be telling for the upcoming draft. The Patriots are entering an important offseason with a young corps of defensive backs and important contract decisions. How the Patriots draft this upcoming class will be indicative of how that position group looks for years to come. https://twitter.com/luchvain/status/1494416087257128972

Patriots haven’t drafted a DB in the first round in the past 10 years
The highest DB they’ve drafted was Kyle Dugger at pick No. 37
Nine of the past 13 DBs drafted were from the Big Ten or SEC
In five out of the last 10 drafts, the Patriots drafted a DB in the third round or higher
In eight of the last 10 drafts, the Patriots selected a DB
In five out of the last 10 drafts, the Patriots have taken a late-round flier on a DB with a sixth or seventh-round selection.

A few defensive backs have been mocked around pick No. 21, where the Patriots currently sit in the 2022 NFL Draft order. These are the players and what they could possibly add to a Patriots’ secondary: Ahmad Gardner Roger McCreary Trent McDuffie Kaiir Elam