March 22, 2026, 11:26 a.m. ET

The New England Patriots were interested in defensive end Trey Hendrickson in 2026 free agency, but they had the chance to draft him back in 2017.

The Patriots selected offensive lineman Antonio Garcia with the No. 85 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Hendrickson ended up taking his talents to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency in 2026. However, the Patriots had the chance to avoid the headache of missing out on the former first-team All-Pro defensive end by selecting him in place of Garcia. New England also overlooked a tight end with All-Pro honors to his name as well.

New selection: DE Trey Hendrickson (Baltimore Ravens)

No. 103 overall pick in 2017 – New Orleans Saints

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Hendrickson was named first-team All-Pro in 2024, while finishing second in AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting that year. The 31-year-old’s numbers jump off the page. He racked up 17.5 sacks in 2023 and then led the league by posting that same number of sacks the following season in 2024.

Hendrickson’s 14 sacks in 2021 were the second-highest of his career. The Florida Atlantic product was the answer for the Patriots at defensive end in the free agent class of 2026. He had the chance to be their answer much sooner, had he been drafted by them.

Honorable mention: TE George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers)

No. 146 overall pick in 2017 – San Francisco 49ers

Kittle has gone for 1,000 yards receiving four times in his career. He’s averaged seven touchdowns per year across nine seasons played in the NFL. Kittle has been named first-team All-Pro twice, as well as second-team All-Pro three times. The Patriots had former four-time first-team All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski on their roster prior to the draft. Kittle, next to Gronkowski, had the chance to spell two 1,000-yard tight ends in New England for the final two years of the Patriots’ dynasty.

Honorable mention: RB James Conner (Arizona Cardinals)

No. 105 overall pick in 2017- Pittsburgh Steelers

Conner was also available for the Patriots to take. He’s gone for 1,000 yards rushing twice in his career, in two of the last three seasons.

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