Welcome back to NFL Thursday as we journey from New Orleans to New England this week, which leaves us with dilemmas, of course. We refuse to legitimize cheating in sport(s), so this list only includes players that are somewhat innocent in the era of Patriots cheating. If you want to soak in the “feats” of a certain someone, feel free to do so elsewhere; this is not the place for that kind of “worship” in sports, though.

No. 10: Devin McCourty, CB/FS—95 AV (2010-2022)

A 2-time Pro Bowler, he was a stalwart in the New England secondary for 205 regular-season games and 24 postseason contests, too. He also posted 3 seasons of double-digit AV (2010, 2013, 2016) while recording 35 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in his career. McCourty added 2 INTs in playoff games, too, as he was a member of 3 Super Bowl-winning teams (2014, 2016, 2018). Solid production from a first-round draft pick.

No. 9: Raymond Clayborn, CB—100 AV (1977-1989)

Another first rounder, he made 3 Pro Bowls during his career with the organization (1983, 1985, 1986). In those same 3 seasons, he also notched double-digit AV, too. He was a member of the 1985 team, the first in franchise history to reach the Super Bowl. Clayborn had 36 INTs in 191 regular-season games with the Patriots, and he added 1 INT in his 7 playoff games with the team, too. Again, good results for the value pick.

No. 8: Vince Wilfork, DL—101 AV (2004-2014)

Lots of first-round draft picks here so far: Wilfork made 5 Pro Bowls, including 4 in a row from 2009-2012, as he also won Super Bowl titles in 2004 and 2014. He played 3 different positions during his career with the team, too: nose tackle (2004-2009), left defensive tackle (2011-2014), and left defensive end (2010). That is some versatility right there, and he compiled 19 sacks over the years with the Patriots, including playoffs.

No. 7: Stanley Morgan, WR—107 AV (1977-1989)

All these guys have been first rounders that paid off long term for the Patriots: Morgan made 4 Pro Bowls (1979-1980, 1986-1987), led the league 3 times in average yards per catch (1979-1981), and topped the NFL once in touchdown receptions (1979). In 13 years with the organization, he hauled in 67 TD passes and was a key member of the 1985 AFC champions. In his time with the franchise, he averaged 19.4 yards per catch.

No. 6: Andre Tippett, LB—109 AV (1982-1988, 1990-1993)

Despite his second-round draft status, he’s in the NFL Hall of Fame, thanks to 5 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1984-1988 before an injury cost him the entire 1989 season. In those 5 peak seasons, he averaged 14 AV and led the league once, too (18 AV in 1987). He notched 100 sacks in his regular-season career, while adding 1 more in 6 playoff games. While he struggled in his final seasons after the injury, he was a beast beforehand.

No. 5: Matt Light, T—109 AV (2001-2011)

One of the lesser-known anchors of many Patriots playoff squads, he was also a second rounder who paid off handsomely for the organization—with 3 Pro Bowls (2006, 2007, 2010) and 3 Super Bowl victories (2001, 2003, 2004). In 5 different seasons, Light reached double digits in AV, including a whopping 20 AV in 2007 when the team went undefeated in the regular season before losing the Super Bowl in a huge upset.

No. 4: Bruce Armstrong, OT—111 AV (1987-2000)

His career pretty much spans the gap between the 1985 AFC champions and the 2001 NFL champions, but Armstrong still got to play in 7 playoff games in his time with the Pats. He also made it to 6 Pro Bowls, including 4 in a row from 1994-1997. Even though he missed some games here and there to injury, he has the distinction of starting in every NFL game he ever played in, which is quite impressive overall, really.

No. 3: Logan Mankins, G—114 AV (2005-2013)

He made 6 Pro Bowls in his career with the organization (including 5 in a row from 2009-2013), although he never won a Super Bowl, strangely. In his final 8 seasons with New England, he posted double-digit AV marks every time—peaking in 2007 with 17 AV. Obviously, he was a member of the 2007 and 2011 AFC championship teams, losing the Super Bowl both times to the New York Giants in those shocking upsets.

No. 2: Steve Grogan, QB—117 AV (1975-1990)

The “best” honest quarterback in franchise history, Grogan helped the team reach its first Super Bowl in 1985 despite never making a Pro Bowl in his NFL career. In fact, he tossed more INTs than TDs over the course of his 16-year tenure with the team, and we know that’s not good. His 75-60 record as a starter in the regular-season, though, is admirable, but he was 0-3 in the playoffs, and that’s what most fans remember.

No. 1: John Hannah, G—149 AV (1973-1985)

The No. 4 overall pick in the draft, Hannah is a Hall of Famer who made 9 Pro Bowls overall, including the final 8 straight seasons of his career (1978-1985). He retired after the Super Bowl XX loss to the Chicago Bears, having played in 191 total games for the Patriots. Nine times he reached double-digit AV, and he also notched 9 AV in the 9-game regular season of 1982. His best year (1980) produced 17 AV, and he is a legend.