The New England Patriots have rostered 17 picks from the 2017 NFL draft over the years since then.
None were picked higher than former Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders inside linebacker Raekwon McMillan.
The Ohio State product went No. 54 overall that spring, a full round before his current team filled out its initial draft card in a class that would be both the league’s smallest and the franchise’s smallest.
But the Patriots agreed to terms with McMillan on a one-year deal in March. And on his introductory conference call before the calendar turned to April, the pre-draft and free-agent visitor shared a conversation he had with head coach Bill Belichick.