Patriots Top Five Best All-Time Draft Classes

#4 – Patriots Draft Class of 2003:

Arguably Bill Belichick’s best draft haul to date. This draft class had several impact players that helped the team win Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX and beyond.

Ty Warren, DT, Texas A&M 1st round 13^th Overall:
In seven+ seasons in New England, the 6’5 300-pound Warren played in 105 regular season games and 15 playoff games for the Patriots. He notched 373 tackles (252 solo), with 20.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.

He and Richard Seymour with the edge setters and interior pass rushers for several Patriots teams. He was a key member of three Patriots Super Bowl teams

Eugene Wilson, CB, Illinois 2nd round 36^th Overall:
Wilson played five seasons with the Patriots from 2003-2007 and was a key contributor in three Super Bowl teams. In 62 regular season games, and 10 playoff games in New England he tallied 10 interceptions for 74 yards and one touchdown and recovered four fumbles.

He recovered a fumble from Philly’s L.J. Smith in Super Bowl XXIX and intercepted Ben Roethlisberger twice in the AFC Championship Game that same year.

Bethel Johnson, WR, Texas A&M 2nd round 45^th Overall:
The second A&M draft pick from the 2003 class, Johnson was a burner with outstanding speed but could never catch on with the Patriots offense. He was however a dangerous kick returner and is fourth Patriots all-time kickoff returner with 102 kickoff returns for 2,557 yards and two touchdowns.

He notched 30 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns in 30 regular season games. Johnson was part of the Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX winning teams.

Asante Samuel, CB, Central Florida, 4th round 120^th Overall:
Remembered now for the ‘one that got away’ Samuel was a solid cornerback that was a key part of three Super Bowl teams.

He played in 75 games with 55 starts and had 22 interceptions for 313 yards during five seasons with the Patriots including three for touchdowns. He was a member of the 2007 Pro-Bowl but in Super Bowl XLII his dropped interception against the Giants is what he is (unfairly or not), most remembered for.

Dan Koppen, C, Boston College, 5th round 164^th Overall:
Koppen was a tough, durable,if slightly undersized center who played in five Super Bowls (4 in NE, 1 in Den). He played for the Patriots from 2003 – 2011 and was a member of the Pro Bowl and a Second Team All-Pro in 2007.

Koppen started 119 of 120 games at center in his Patriots career. During his time in a NE uniform, the Pats won six division championships, three conference titles and two Super Bowl championships. He was part of the 2009 OL that allowed only 18 sacks on the season, the lowest since the 16 game schedule was introduced in 1978. Koppen is a member of the Patriots All-2000s Team.

Tully Banta-Cain, LB, Cal, 7th round 239^th Overall:
Banta-Cain was a 6’2, 250-pound linebacker that had two different stints with the Patriots (2003-06, 2009-10), and had a fairly productive career.

He played in 85 games with 21 starts and tallied 135 career tackles and 23.5 sacks while a member of the Patriots. He led the team in sacks with 10 in 2009 and was a member of two Super Bowl Championship teams (XXXVIII and XXXIX).

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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