Top 10 Belichick-Era Patriots Busts: #4 Terrence Wheatley

by Greg Knopping on Apr 15, 2011 10:10 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

[Editor's Note: For the month of April leading up to the draft, Bud Light will be sponsoring the NFL blogs here at SB Nation. Each day, we'll count down the top 10 Bill Belichick era Patriots "busts" and "booms" in the NFL draft." -Greg

Belichick-Era Patriots Top 10 Busts #4

Name: Terrence Wheatley

College: Colorado

Drafted: 2nd round, 62nd overall, 2008

Position: Cornerback

Years with Team: 2+

Where is he now? Reserve for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Comments: Heading into the draft, Terrence Wheatley had a lot of problems surrounding his surgically repaired wrist. Despite the injury risk, the Patriots pulled the trigger on Wheatley in the second round. Even when healthy, Wheatley never really panned out the way the Patriots wanted. Initially, he was outplayed by 4th rounder Jonathan Wilhite. When he eventually showed some flashes against the Colts as a rookie, he went down for the year with a wrist injury. In 2009, Wheatley was just active for five games. In 2010, he had a strong preseason, but suffered a foot injury, missing the first five games of the year. He was finally active for one game before being waived and claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wheatley would be ranked higher on the lists of busts, but considering he was burried on the depth chart for much of his Patriots career, he gets a little benefit of the doubt (unlike Shawn Crable, who was taken 16 picks later, had higher expectations, and plenty of chances to get onto the field).

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Spygate probably cost us Brandon Flowers.

Shame. He showed some good things before reinjuring his wrist. That’s the risk with picking guys coming off injuries, I guess.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 16, 2011 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Crable

He actually did get onto the field. He’ll probably get his own entry, but it’s worth noting he got a lot of playing time mid-season and really just didn’t produce. He played a ton against the Steelers and came up with like a half sack I think. Wheatley had some talent and ability, but just couldn’t put it together when it counted.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Apr 16, 2011 1:59 AM EDT reply actions

I would think Crable appears next.

Or maybe he jumps Bethel Johnson for the #2 spot.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 16, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I'm curious to see

I mean he was only a 3rd round pick, so the impact of him busting wasn’t as great, though he was a player at a position of need (then and to some degree now as well).

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Apr 16, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Guss Scott maybe?

He was a 3rd rounder who barely played at all.

If knowledge is power and power corrupts...

by satsunada on Apr 16, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Chad Jackson should be 2

If knowledge is power and power corrupts...

by satsunada on Apr 16, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

He'll be #1

Bethel will be #2 now that Crable was revealed as #3.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 17, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Jackson HAS to be 1 lol

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Apr 17, 2011 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions

No way

Bethel Johnson actually contributed in ST. Unlike Crable and Wheatley.

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Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 17, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Crable #3

Jackson #1, unless Maroney’s #1. So #2 Bethel Johnson, or… Maroni?

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 17, 2011 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd struggle with Maroney at #1.

He wasn’t that bad. 30 TDs, 4000 yards or whatever it was.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Apr 17, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

That's why Johnson will be 2,

and Jackson @ 1

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 17, 2011 2:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd hope so.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Apr 17, 2011 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like Wheatley had something, but got injured every time he started to do well.

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by PotM on Apr 16, 2011 1:57 PM EDT reply actions