The New England Patriots are known for winning and doing so by developing talent from seemingly every possible avenue. Whether it is through the NFL Draft, undrafted free agents, veteran free agents or the trade market, it just always appears as though Bill Belichick is a step ahead of the rest of the league.

With the 2021 NFL Draft recently coming and going, the Patriots were able to add eight new players to the roster. Among those picks were some well-known players at the collegiate level in addition to some lesser-known players who could turn out to be massive steals down the road.

  • Round 1, Pick No. 15: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
  • Round 2, Pick No. 38: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
  • Round 3, Pick No. 96: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
  • Round 4, Pick No. 120: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
  • Round 5, Pick No. 177: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
  • Round 6, Pick No. 188: Joshuah Bledsoe, S, Missouri
  • Round 6, Pick No. 197: Will Sherman, OT, Colorado
  • Round 7, Pick No. 242: Trey Nixon, WR, UCF

However, Belichick and company weren't perfect last month, as there are at least two picks the Patriots made that were a bit questionable. Of course, only time will truly tell, with this summer's offseason activities slated to serve as the initial indicator.

2. Selecting Former Alabama Crimson Tide QB Mac Jones at No. 15 overall

Mac Jones, Tom Brady, Patriots

Although the former Alabama Crimson Tide perfectly fits the prototypical Patriots quarterback, the heralded AFC East franchise still came away with arguably the worst signal-caller from the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Even though the Patriots still have former league MVP and longtime Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton under center for the 2021 campaign, it is hardly a secret that New England is currently in search of its quarterback of both the present and future — especially after Newton's performance a season ago.

With life after current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady off to a rough start for New England, the Patriots could have attempted to move up in order to secure a more dynamic signal caller like former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields or former North Dakota State Bison quarterback Trey Lance. Jones is simply an underwhelming player who will need time to develop, and had he went anywhere else but New England, this pick would have been even more underwhelming.

Jones did not do nearly enough over the course of his collegiate career to warrant the attention that he began receiving this offseason.

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The Patriots never needed to take a quarterback in the first round, and even when the team seemingly had to a season ago, New England still didn't do it. Granted, the Patriots didn't have to trade up to select Jones in the end, but a first-round pick on what appears to be a middling quarterback at best probably isn't the answer either. Simply put, even with a more well-rounded roster this time around, Jones isn't the final missing piece of the puzzle in New England.

1. Picking Former Oklahoma Sooners RB Rhamondre Stevenson at No. 120 overall

Cam Newton, Bill Belichick, Patriots

The Patriots are no stranger to the running back-by-committee approach, as the franchise always seems to have a slew of talented rushers and pass catchers out of the backfield. Because this is the case, in a bit of a head-scratching move, the Patriots selected former Oklahoma Sooners running back Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Even though the fourth round is right in the middle of the NFL Draft, there is still more than enough value at this stage of the annual event to add depth at vital positions. With the Patriots gearing up to have a trio of Damien Harris, James White and Sony Michel, it remains to be seen as to where exactly Stevenson will fit into the equation as a rookie.

There have been rumors that Michel's time in New England could be coming to a close relatively soon. If Stevenson can see some time in the possible absence of Michel in addition to contributing on special teams, perhaps this pick will make a little more sense.

However, it just seems as though the Patriots could have tabbed a much better player in this position, and one who can make an immediate impact come 2021-22.