PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

HOME > Patriots Blog > Patriots News

Former Patriots Super Bowl MVP Set to Announce Pick During Draft

Patriots Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch Set to Announce Team's Draft Pick this week.

Ian Logue
Ian Logue on Twitter
April 22, 2026 at 9:17 am ET

Former Patriots Super Bowl MVP Set to Announce Pick During Draft
(PHOTO: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
🕑 Read Time: 2 minutes

Former wide receiver Deion Branch is certainly no stranger to big moments when it comes to his time with the Patriots, and he’ll be in the spotlight for them again this week.

The NFL announced that Branch will be among a host of big names on hand to represent each of the 32 teams who will announce draft selections this week.  Branch, who was selected in the second round (65th overall) out of Louisville in 2002, is the player set to announce one of New England’s selections.  The league didn’t make it clear which pick the former Super Bowl MVP would be announcing, but it’s expected to be at some point during Friday’s day two selections.

That’s fitting, given that Branch himself was a day two pick.

The former wideout certainly had some memorable moments, coming up big in each of his two Super Bowl appearances here in New England.  Against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, Branch finished that game with 10 catches for 143 yards along with a touchdown, including a key 17-yard reception with 0:14 left to go in the game on a 3rd-and-3 from the Panthers’ 40-yard line.

That reception got New England down to the Carolina 23, helping set up Adam Vinatieri’s 41-yard field goal that gave the Patriots a 32-29 victory and their second Super Bowl title in three seasons.

The following year, he came up big again against Philadelphia.  He finished that game with 11 receptions on 12 targets for 133 yards, which earned him Super Bowl MVP honors following the Patriots’ 24-21 win over the Eagles.

Meanwhile, another former Patriot, running back Curtis Martin, will be representing the Jets to announce one of their day two picks.  That’s a little bittersweet given that Martin was a former 3rd-round pick by New England in 1995 (74th overall).

Many likely remember that the former University of Pittsburgh standout followed former head coach Bill Parcells, who left New England to coach the Jets after the 1996 campaign, to New York following the 1997 season.  Martin then went on to play for the Jets until his retirement in 2007.

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.


Tags: Adam Vinatieri Bill Parcells Carolina Panthers Curtis Martin Day Two Picks Deion Branch Jets Louisville NFL Draft Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Running Back Super Bowl MVP Super Bowl XXXIX Super Bowl XXXVIII University of Pittsburgh Wide Receiver
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More Patriots News Headlines:

Patriots Trade Up, Take Utah Tackle in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

Patriots Trade Up, Take Utah Tackle in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

By: Ian Logue
The Patriots traded up in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, acquiring the 28th pick from Buffalo to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, bolstering…
5 hours ago
Thursday Patriots Notebook 4/23: Vrabel Set to Miss Day 3 of Draft ‘Seeking Counseling’

Thursday Patriots Notebook 4/23: Vrabel Set to Miss Day 3 of Draft ‘Seeking Counseling’

By: Ian Logue
Patriots prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, with predictions for their 31st pick and Mike Vrabel set to miss Day 3 for counseling.
17 hours ago
MORSE: Final Patriots Mock Draft

MORSE: Final Patriots Mock Draft

By: Mark Morse
Analyzing the unpredictable NFL Draft, MORSE's final Patriots mock draft projects key additions including EDGE Malachi Lawrence and LB Jake Golday.
23 hours ago
Former Patriots Super Bowl MVP Set to Announce Pick During Draft

Former Patriots Super Bowl MVP Set to Announce Pick During Draft

By: Ian Logue
Announcing a Patriots draft pick, former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch will represent New England, recalling his own Day 2 selection and legendary performances.
2 days ago
TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel’s Media Statement on Tuesday 4/21

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel’s Media Statement on Tuesday 4/21

By: Ian Logue
Here's the transcript of what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say during his statement in front of the media on Tuesday,…
3 days ago

Free Newsletter

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.

📊
Weekly Stats Deep-dive analysis
🎯
First Access New features & tools
📤
Breaking News Player Signings & Rumors

Subscribe Now

* required

Intuit Mailchimp