One of the main reasons for the New England Patriots’ continued success over the past two decades is their ability to find quality contributors in unlikely places: from low-level trade acquisitions to late-round draft picks to unselected rookies — Bill Belichick and company have been outstanding at identifying players and helping them find roles on the team.
Undrafted free agents are the prime example for this: the team has an active 15-year streak of at least one player that did not hear his name called during the draft make the opening day roster. Past starters such as Stephen Neal, Randall Gay, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Malcolm Butler have all started as undrafted rookies and produced impressive careers in New England and beyond.