A trip down memory lane…
Remember when he was drafted? The Patriots took him with the 32d pick in the 2005 draft, out of Fresno State. The experts — feel free to apply your own air quotes there — had him pegged as a later-round selection. Some had him multiple rounds later.
When his name was announced during ESPN’s draft coverage, I recall a look of bewilderment crossing Mel Kiper Jr. face while a puzzled Chris Berman asked him, essentially, who the hell is this guy? (I believe what he actually said as he looked Kiper’s way was a shrugged, “Well?”)
He clearly disliked the pick, but he was paralyzed from saying as much because he knew there was a damn good chance he would look foolish for challenging Belichick’s knowledge of the player. So he timidly called it a reach, then wrote this the next day:
"Guard Logan Mankins was a reach in the first round but the Patriots obviously like his size and nastiness, and he will help fill the void left by Joe Andruzzi’s departure via free agency."
The latter part of the evaluation proved spot on. And, not even in retrospect but in that very moment, should have negated the idea that Mankins was a reach.
www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2014/08/26/logan_mankins/
Logan Mankins
6× All-Pro (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011–2013)
7× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009–2013, 2015)
NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
New England Patriots All-2000s Team
New England Patriots All-2010s Team
New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team
Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award (2010)