#2 – Patriots Draft Class of 1995:
With just seven picks in the 1995 draft, Bill Parcells hit it out of the park with five of his selections playing key roles in not only a Super Bowl berth against Green Bay but for years to come. One selection, Curtis Martin is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Another, Ty Law…should be.
Ty Law, CB, Michigan 1st round 23rd Overall:
Law was arguably the best cornerback ever to wear a Patriots uniform and in our opinion belongs in Canton with the greats.
He’s tied for first with Raymond Clayborn on the Patriots’ all-time interceptions list with 36 career picks. His biggest in a career with so many including several against Peyton Manning in the playoffs has to be the 47-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVI against Kurt Warner and the Rams. At the time it was the sixth interception returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history. Law played in four Super Bowls for the Patriots, winning three and was a 4-time Pro Bowler (five overall), and a two-time All-Pro for New England.
He’s a member of the 1990’s, 2000’s Patriots All Decade Team, the 50th Anniversary Team and the team’s Hall of Fame.
Ted Johnson, LB, 2nd round (57th overall), Colorado
Johnson was a tough, physical linebacker for the Patriots who was known for his smarts and unselfish play. His career was cut short prior to the 2005 season because of repeated concussions suffered while a member of New England.
He played in 125 regular season games and notched 763 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He too played on four Super Bowl teams winning three (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX).
Curtis Martin, RB, Pitt, 3rd round 74th Overall:
Martin is a 2012 member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Jets. However, he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year with 1,487 yards rushing as a member of the Patriots.
He was named to two pro bowls (1995-96), rushed for a franchise record 166 yards and three touchdowns in his first career playoff game against the Steelers; rushed for 42 yards, caught three passes for 28 yards, and scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI.
He is listed as fourth on the all-time Patriots rushing list with 3,799 yards. He’s ranked 16th on the club’s all-time scoring list (226 total points). He left with Parcells to the Jets after the 1997 season.
Jimmy Hitchcock, CB, UNC 3rd round 88th Overall:
Hitchcock was the right corner back for the Patriots from 1995-97 and played in 37 games with 20 starts and totaled 120 tackles and four interceptions. He still holds the franchise record for the longest interception return, 100-yards vs Miami (11/23/97)
Dave Wohlabaugh, C, Syracuse 4th round 112th Overall:
Wohlabaugh was a tough durable center who played in and started 57 games for the Patriots. He also appeared in and started six playoff games, including Super Bowl XXXI against Green Bay. He left as a free agent and played four years with Cleveland and a final season with St. Louis.
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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)
