The New England Patriots won three Super Bowls in four seasons from 2001 to 2004. With the last pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft- the result of defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the prior Super Bowl- the Patriots "chose little known guard Logan Mankins of Fresno State," according to USA Today.
In fact, Mankins was a 6'4, 307 lbs offensive tackle that wasn't expected to be selected in the first round. His smaller stature forced him inside to play guard, but that wasn't going to limit his career potential. He was a human bulldog, in a shout out to his university mascot.
"[Mankins] plays with good aggression," according to a predraft scouting profile. "But it will get the best of him at times, resulting in a high amount of personal foul penalties."
The Patriots loved every single penalty as Mankins set the tone for the offensive line for the next nine seasons. Unfortunately Mankins was not a part of a Super Bowl winning team, joining one season too late and leaving one year before the Super Bowl XLIX victory.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mankins is set to retire after a two-year stint with the Buccaneers.
Mankins was one of the best offensive linemen of the past decade. He somehow earned a First Team All Pro distinction in 2010 when he played just 9 games due to a contract hold out- it was about respect for Mankins- and made Second Team All Pro in five other seasons. He was an seven-time Pro Bowler and was named to the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team and the Patriots All 2000s Decade Team.
The Patriots picked a great one with the 32nd overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. Best of luck to Mankins in whatever he elects to pursue in his post-football career.
We'll get the red Patriots Hall of Fame jacket sized up for his return.