Top 5 Greatest New England Patriots Players of All-Time
Honorable Mentions
Mike Haynes, CB (1976-1982)
Richard Seymour (2001-2008)
Logan Mankins (2005-2013)
#5: Andre Tippett, LB (1982-1993)
Just making the top five on this list is the Patriots’ second-round pick from the 1982 NFL Draft is former New England Patriots All-Pro linebacker Andre Tippett. Tippett was one of many players who fans thought deserved a first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While that claim may have been a stretch, Tippett eventually earned his place in Canton in 2008.
A well-deserved recognition for his greatness as during his nine-year pro career, Tippett was one of the first truly great Patriots players, with five Pro Bowl appearances and two first-team All-Pro selections. He also won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 1985, being one of the key reasons why the Patriots’ strong defense of that year led the team to Super Bowl XX. Though that Super Bowl berth was a bit of a magical carpet ride, Tippett was the leader and star of that second-overall-ranked Patriots defense which was only ranked under the famous all-time great ’85 Bears defense. Tippett in what could be considered a short career, was the best defensive player on his team year in and year out.
#4: John Hannah (1973-1985)
Drafted out of Alabama with the fourth overall pick in 1973, John Hannah had high expectations going into his NFL Career. Not only did he exceed said expectations, but by the time he finished his career, he was undoubtedly the Patriots’ greatest player in franchise history. Hannah, to this day, is still one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the league’s history, with seven first-team All-Pro selections, nine pro bowls, and made both the 1970s and 1980s all-decade team. Hannah was the first player in franchise history to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991 which may leave some asking why he ranks only fourth.
Unfortunately for Hannah, the Patriots weren’t rich in team success or history during Hannah’s tenure, as the team was largely an afterthought. That being said, he was the shining star on the team and played his final game in the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1985. If it weren’t for some of the incredible contributions the greats above him on this list had during the Patriots’ multiple dynasties in the 21st century, he’d probably be ranked higher.
#3: Ty Law (1995-2004)
His extremely impactful moments for the Patriots put Ty Law above the aforementioned players on the list, which led to three Super Bowl victories. Drafted 23rd overall by the Pats in the 1995 NFL Draft, Ty Law in his ten seasons with the team made five Pro Bowls, was a two-time first team All-Pro, and a member of the 2000s all-decade team. He also helped the team reach its second-ever Super Bowl appearance in his sophomore season in 1996.
Though Law left the Patriots after the 2004 season and had brief stints with the Broncos and Jets, even leading the league in interceptions in 2005 with New York, Law will without a doubt be best remembered for his memorable plays and contributions in multiple postseasons with the Patriots. He had a game-changing pick-six off of Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI against the heavily favored St. Louis Rams, which ultimately led to the Pats winning their first Super Bowl Championship. He also had three interceptions in a winning effort against Peyton Manning and the Colts in the 2003 AFC Championship.
Law was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame and eventually the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Ty Law was one of the truly great defensive backs of his time, and arguably the greatest man-to-man cover corner in that era.
#2: Rob Gronkowski (2010-2018)
The second-ranked player on this list was none other than one of the most game-changing and dominant tight ends in NFL history Rob Gronkowski, otherwise known as “Gronk”. Gronkowski was the 42nd overall pick in 2010 overall pick by the Pats acquired via trade with the Raiders. Gronkowski fell to the second round after an extremely successful career at the University of Arizona mainly due to injury concerns. Safe to say many teams are regretting not making the gamble to take him earlier.
Even being six-foot-six and weighing 265 pounds, Gronkowski was one of the most physically dominant and complete offensive players in the league’s history, boasting speed, elusiveness, brute strength, and blocking ability. Not only was he able to block effectively, but he was Tom Brady‘s primary target in the passing game during the 2010s, resulting in five Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pro selections, three Super Bowl championships, and a spot on the 2010s all-decade team.
He ranks third to only Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez in receiving touchdowns by a tight end ever with 92 and holds the record for most touchdown receptions in a season with 18 (2011). Rob Gronkowski is one of the truly great New England Patriots and draft steals of all time. Though the injury concerns going into his draft were somewhat validated as he suffered multiple season-ending injuries in his career, both marring his stats and accomplishments, Gronkowski still did nothing but dominate when he was on the field.
#1: Tom Brady (2000-2019)
Not much intrigue or discussion at all about who finishes at the top of this list, as the number one greatest New England Patriots player of all time is easily Thomas Edward Patrick Brady.
Going back to the 2000 NFL Draft, looking at how six quarterbacks were taken ahead of Tom Brady mainly due to concerns about his physical attributes resulting in him being drafted 199th overall in the sixth round, all he did was become the single greatest draft steal in NFL history and it isn’t even close.
Brady, in his twenty seasons with the Patriots, became the face of the organization, with 14 Pro Bowls, six Super Bowl titles, nine AFC championship victories, three MVP awards, selections to both the 2000s and 2010s all-decade teams, and undoubtedly a first-ballot hall of Famer. As much as people like to debate the responsibility for the team’s success between Brady and Belichick, there is no denying that while both are equally responsible for the early 2000s dynasty, Tom Brady was given some very so-so talent to work within the latter half of the dynasty, and helped maximize the potential for said talent with his leadership and on-field brilliance.
Brady wasn’t just known for his stats and resume, but also for his late-game heroics and fourth-quarter comebacks, especially in the postseason. He led some of the most dramatic comebacks ever, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat on multiple occasions in the Super Bowl (ask both Seattle and Atlanta how that feels), usurping other greats in Super Bowl victories namely Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. Beyond question, Tom Brady is not only the greatest New England Patriot ever, but the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.
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