The New England Patriots built a dynasty that we will never see again. Since 2001, the Patriots have won six Super Bowls, missed the playoffs just twice, and have 17 AFC East crowns, including 11 in a row. Success like this starts from the top and works its way down.

One area that the Patriots have not dominated is the NFL Draft. In recent years, New England has not nailed the draft but it has not been brought to light because of their success. Nevertheless, they are still the Patriots. Here are five instances where the franchise did hit on a few picks that gave them great value.

5. Larry Eisenhauer, DE

Eisenhauer was a massive human being. He stood at 6'5 and weighed 250 pounds. Size was not a huge requirement in 1961 and maybe that is why he fell to the Patriots in the sixth round. They definitely got their value out of this pass rusher.

Sacks were not an official stat back when Eisenhauer was terrorizing quarterbacks, but that does not take away from his greatness. He was a four-time AFL All-Star and three-time First Team All-Pro for the Boston Patriots.

4. Nick Buoniconti, LB

Buoniconti is still one of the top linebackers in franchise history. He was taken in the 13th round in 1962. The late round pick is now an NFL Hall of Fame member as well as being in the Patriots' Hall of Fame.

Buoniconti spent seven years in Boston and was an All-Star five times. He was one of the top linebackers in the game during his tenure, being selected as First Team All-Pro four times.

3. Andre Tippett, LB

Second round selections are not often viewed as big steals but in Tippett's case, they are. He is arguably the best defender in franchise history and the value of that is huge no matter what round.

Tippett spent 12 years in New England, playing 11 and missing one because of a shoulder injury. In 11 seasons, Tippett totaled 100 sacks and had the most impressive two year stretch of any linebacker in NFL history. In 1984 and 1985, Tippett had 35 combined sacks. This record of total sacks in a two year span has still not been broken.

Tippett was an All-Pro player and Defensive Player of the Year. He was part of the time that brought the 3-4 outside linebacker position to light and he cannot be forgotten for that.

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2. Ben Coates, TE

There are not many instances where a fifth-round tight end finds success. That was not the case for Coates. The Patriots drafted a tight end out of Livingstone College in 1991 and he went on to be one of the best at his position in that decade.

Coates played for the Patriots for nine seasons. He totaled 490 catches for 5,471 yards and 50 touchdowns. Coates' 96 catches in 1994 was a league record for tight ends for 10 years. The five-time Pro Bowler was as dominant as they come at the tight end position.

In a time where Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, and George Kittle are mentioned as the dominant forces of recent history, it is important to remember who started the trend.

1. Tom Brady, QB

This is not a hard one. Brady is the best draft pick in NFL history, the biggest draft steal in NFL history, and one of the best players in NFL history.

The six-time Super Bowl champion was taken in the sixth round in 2000. The 199th overall selection quickly climbed up the ladder and became one of the top players in the league. Brady has six rings, three NFL MVP awards, 13 Pro Bowl selections, and five All-Pro selections in his career.

Brady helped build something in New England that we will never see again. Anything is possible, but it is hard to imagine a team having more success over a 20-year period than the Patriots. And if they do, it will not be with a sixth round quarterback.