Reviewing and issuing final grades for the Patriots’ 2017 draft class

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports The New England Patriots’ 2017 draft was known for two things: the lack of first- and second-round picks and the class of four. The team executed a lot of trades in the offseason, picking up Brandin Cooks, Dwayne Allen, Kony Ealy and James O’Shaughnessy while another late-rounder went to the Detroit Lions in the Kyle Van Noy trade at the 2016 trade deadline. New England also lost a fourth-round pick in Deflategate, and got a fourth back from the New Orleans Saints in the Cooks deal.

The Patriots opened the draft holding the 72nd, 96th, 131st overall picks through four rounds. The ended up only taking three players, although there was some moving up and down on…