The Top 15 New England Patriots of All Time

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 4, 2013

The Top 15 New England Patriots of All Time

#15: Ben Coates

Drafted by New England in 1991, the tight end was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and is currently in the Patriots' Hall of Fame. Coates had over 5,500 receiving yards in his career and was honored as a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team.

#14: Stanley Morgan

Selected by the Patriots toward the end of the first round in 1977, Morgan had nearly 11,000 career receiving yards and 72 touchdowns. The wide receiver was a four-time Pro Bowler and helped lead the Pats to Super Bowl XX.

#13: Rodney Harrison

One of the hardest hitting safeties in recent memory, Harrison finished his career with over 1,200 tackles and 34 interceptions. Now in broadcasting, Harrison led the Patriots to two Super Bowl victories.

#12: Tedy Bruschi

An imposing presence at linebacker during the 2000s, Bruschi led the Patriots to three titles while compiling 1,100 tackles and 30 sacks. After suffering a stroke in 2005, Bruschi was sidelined for an entire year before returning to football. He would win the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award the following season.

#11: Ty Law

A first-round selection out of Michigan in 1995, Law was a three-time Super Bowl champion and twice named the NFL's Defensive Back of the Year. A staple in the Patriots secondary for a decade, Law led the NFL in interceptions twice and finished his career with a total of 53.

#10: Adam Vinatieri

"Automatic Adam" has converted on some of the most crucial field goals in NFL history. Vinatieri won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, two of which were determined by his field goals in the games' waning seconds.

#9: Steve Nelson

Nelson (57) was a three-time All-Pro and only missed three games in his 14-year NFL career. The linebacker was twice named Team MVP and was part of the defense that led the Pats to Super Bowl XX.

#8: Steve Grogan

Despite being selected in the 5th round of the 1975 NFL draft, Grogan would spend his entire career with the Patriots before his retirement in 1990. He finished with almost 27,000 passing yards and 182 touchdowns.

#7: Wes Welker

Quarterback Tom Brady's favorite target for years, Welker led the NFL in receiving yards three times while in New England and was a five-time Pro Bowler. Welker went from undrafted free agent in 2004 to one of the league's best wide receivers and solidified his mark in Pats history.

#6: Bruce Armstrong

A six-time Pro Bowler at offensive tackle, Armstrong spent all 14 years of his professional career in New England. The Patriots retired his #78 jersey.

#5: Troy Brown

One of the more iconic members of the Patriots during their run of dominance in the 2000s, Brown made his one and only Pro Bowl appearance in 2001.

#4: Mike Haynes

New England selected Haynes with the fifth overall pick in the 1976 NFL draft, and he went on to make 9 career Pro Bowls (6 with the Patriots). A member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, the cornerback has his #40 retired in New England.

#3: Andre Tippett

A five-time Pro Bowler at linebacker, Tippett finished his career with 100 sacks. He was the Co-NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and was honored as a member of the NFL's All-1980s Team.

#2: John Hannah

In 1981, SI named Hannah the best offensive lineman to ever play the position. A member of the 1991 NFL Hall of Fame class, he was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won the Offensive Lineman of the Year Award four consecutive years from 1978-1981.

#1: Tom Brady

Despite being drafted in the sixth round in 2000, an injury to then-Patriots starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe opened the door for Brady. Since then, all Brady has done is win three Super Bowls, two Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL regular season MVPs, and has been selected to nine Pro Bowls. He is New England's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.