When Bill Belichick built the first edition of the New England Patriots dynasty, it was done largely through the draft.
Sure, The Hoodie inherited established veterans like Willie McGinest, Tedy Bruschi, Ty Law, and Lawyer Milloy. Even Troy Brown and Adam Vinatieri were holdovers from previous regimes.
But by and large, Belichick — along with Scott Pioli –constructed the team through scouting, drafting, and developing homegrown talent.
Besides Tom Brady, who they famously found in the sixth round in 2000, the Belichick-Pioli tandem also added Richard Seymour and Matt Light in 2001, added Daniel Graham and Deion Branch in 2002, and then knocked the 2003 draft out of the park with Ty Warren, Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel, and Dan Koppen.