Dial it back a year and the names hold little weight. But by the time the Patriots made their furious rally past the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, the 2016 rookie draft class was everywhere.
Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, a fourth-round pick, caught 32 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season. Third-round offensive lineman Joe Thuney locked down the starting left guard position. Sixth-round selection Elandon Roberts became a regular contributor at linebacker. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, nabbed in the third round, won a regular-season game against the Texans starting in place of the suspended Tom Brady and the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.