Patriots' Draft Miss: Zack Baun's Rise

0:00It's March 28th. This is NFL News today, AI-powered stories shaping the season. The New England Patriots passed on linebacker Zack Bond in the 2020 NFL draft, opting instead for Joshua Uche with their 60th overall. Pick, Bond went just 14 spots later to the New Orleans Saints at number 74. Uche, now 27, recently signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on March 11th after six seasons mostly with New England. Uche flashed big potential with 11.5 sacks in 2022, but he couldn't keep it up. He managed just three sacks the next year, and two in 2024 before getting traded. Over 76 games, he started only four times, showing he never became the steady force the team hoped for. Meanwhile, Bond has turned into one of the league's top linebackers with the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned first team all pro honors in 2024 and won a Super Bowl that season. In 2025, the Wisconsin standout ranked second in the NFL with five force fumbles adding

1:05four interceptions in 22 tackles for. Loss over the last three years. His play earned in 83.0, pro football focus grade, fifth best among qualifying linebackers that season. For the Patriots, it highlights a mischance at a defensive cornerstone who might have anchored their unit for years. Looking back, that draft choice underscores how small decisions can shape a team's future, especially as New England rebuilds his defense.