Patriots’ recent release cleared out entire NFL Draft class

There’s no evidence left of a once-promising 2019 NFL Draft class on the New England Patriots’ roster. The Patriots cut bait with the final member of that 10-man draft class, offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste, on Thursday. Here’s who the Patriots came away with that spring: Round 1, Pick 32: WR N’Keal HarryRound 2, Pick 45: […]

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Patriots 2019 NFL Draft class
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no evidence left of a once-promising 2019 NFL Draft class on the New England Patriots’ roster.

The Patriots cut bait with the final member of that 10-man draft class, offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste, on Thursday.

Here’s who the Patriots came away with that spring:

Round 1, Pick 32: WR N’Keal Harry
Round 2, Pick 45: CB Joejuan Williams
Round 3, Pick 77: DE Chase Winovich
Round 3, Pick 87: RB Damien Harris
Round 3, Pick 101: OT Yodny Cajuste
Round 4, Pick 118: G Hjalte Frohodlt 
Round 4, Pick 133: QB Jarrett Stidham
Round 5, Pick 159: DT Byron Cowart
Round 5, Pick 163: P Jake Bailey
Round 7, Pick 252: CB Ken Webster

Cajuste and Bailey briefly earned second contracts with the Patriots, Cajuste as a restricted free agent and Bailey on an extension. But both players were cut this offseason.

Harry, Winovich and Stidham all were traded before their rookie contracts expired. Froholdt, Cowart and Webster were cut before the end of their rookie contracts. Williams and Harris signed elsewhere in free agency this offseason as free agents.

While it’s not a great sign that zero members of the 2019 NFL Draft class reached the Patriots’ roster by the start of Year 5, it’s at least worth noting that of the 10 players drafted immediately after New England’s picks, just two — Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison and Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed — remain on the team that selected them.

The draft can be a crapshoot. Once upon a time, Winovich, Harris and Bailey looked like hits from the 2019 draft. Four years later, they’re all playing on AFC rivals.

Featured image via Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports