Patriots Draft Pick Similar to New England Cult Hero

The New England Patriots made a few bold moves in the 2022 NFL Draft. Head coach Bill Belichick entered the draft with a few major plans on the table. His picks shocked the NFL world. No one thought that Belichick would get a lineman and a quarterback. Well, he did. NFL analysts had interesting thoughts on the picks the Patriots made last week. Doug Kyed from Pro Football Focus compared one Patriots draft pick to a great hero.

Belichick added depth to the running back unit with the selection of Pierre Strong Jr. Strong joined the Patriots in the fourth round of the draft and fans have a few questions. Kyed is here to answer them all.

Patriots draft pick could turn into a hero

Kyed reminded everyone that Strong is just like Danny Woodhead.

Danny Woodhead:

5-8
197 lbs
4.38s 40
1.44s 10-yd split
20 bench reps
38" vert
10-1 broad jump
4.20s shuttle
7.03s 3-cone

Pierre Strong Jr.:

5-11
207 lbs
4.37s 40
1.44s 10-yd split
16 bench reps
38" vert
10-4 broad jump
4.25s shuttle
6.95s 3-cone

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) May 3, 2022

What makes these two so similar?

Burkhead ran a 4.69; Faulk ran a 4.57.

Danny Woodhead is basically the only Patriots RB in the Belichick-era with similar speed to Pierre Strong. https://t.co/eVWDFRNiK9

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) May 3, 2022

Strong may be bigger, but his speed is similar to the one Woodhead showed on the football field. Strong was faster than other running backs in the 2022 draft class at the NFL Scouting Combine. Let’s hope that Strong will be as successful as Woodhead.

Patriots fans really liked Woodhead. In his three seasons with the Patriots, he stacked 250 carries for 1,199 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Woodhead also had 92 receptions for 982 yards and four receiving touchdowns. His career was great and Woodhead brought it to an end after nine years. In his great career, Woodhead had 517 carries for 2,238 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns to go along with 300 receptions for 2,698 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns.

Strong made a huge impact, too. He led the FCS with 1,168 yards last season. He had nine games with 100+ rushing yards. The newly-added running back will do his best to lead the Patriots to a win.

“Helping the team out any way I can,” he said via Sports Illustrated. ”Out of the backfield, special teams, any way I can help the team win a Super Bowl. “Wherever New England needs me to play, that’s what I’m going to do. That’s the kind of person and player I am.”