There are many ways to construct a championship-caliber roster, and the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are proof of that.
The two teams that will clash in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara have taken very different paths to the doorstep of football immortality.
The Patriots have built a lot of their team through free agency, but they drafted their franchise quarterback Drake Maye. The Seahawks have largely built through the draft, but they acquired their quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency.
How exactly was each of these rosters constructed? Let’s break it down in terms of draft picks, trades and free agent signings.
NFL Draft
Patriots
The Patriots did not draft well from 2017 through 2022, and it’s one of the main reasons why the first five seasons of the post-Tom Brady era (2020 through 2024) went so poorly.
Just five of the 51 players drafted by the Patriots from 2017 through 2022 were on the AFC Championship Game roster last Sunday.
But the last three drafts have produced a lot more talent at premium positions for the Patriots, and it hasn’t all been early-round picks. Getting an elite cornerback in Christian Gonzalez at No. 17 overall in the 2023 draft was a major building block. The sixth round of that draft yielded wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas, and punter Bryce Baringer.
The 2024 draft class has produced only one Patriots starter, but it just happens to be at the most important position: Quarterback. Drake Maye is a franchise QB and could win the NFL MVP in his second season.
Whenever you select a quarterback who can lead your franchise to the playoffs for potentially a decade, it’s a successful class regardless of the other picks.
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The 2025 class is shaping up to be one of New England’s best in a long time.
It features a starting left tackle (Will Campbell), a dynamic running back (TreVeyon Henderson), a big-play wideout (Kyle Williams), a starting left guard (Jared Wilson), a starting safety (Craig Woodson), and a starting kicker (Andy Borregales).
Other notable Patriots picks include defensive back Marcus Jones (Round 3, 2022), defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Round 2, 2021), running back Rhamondre Stevenson (Round 4, 2021), and right guard Michael Onwenu (Round 6, 2020).
Seahawks
The Seahawks drafted better than most teams from 2010 through 2012, selecting key players such as Russell Wilson, Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, Golden Tate, Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, Malcolm Smith, Bobby Wagner and Bruce Irvin.
These players formed the core of the Super Bowl XLVIII-winning roster, but after losing to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, this group never made it past the Divisional Round of the playoffs again.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
If the Seahawks hadn’t drafted so poorly from 2013 through 2018, they might have another Lombardi Trophy. But similar to the Patriots, recent drafts have given the Seahawks roster a massive boost. Twenty-six players from the NFC Championship Game roster were drafted by the Seahawks.
Kenneth Walker in the third round in 2022 was a great pick, and so was Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20 overall in 2023. The Seahawks could have taken one of several wideouts at No. 20, but they chose the Ohio State star over Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnson and Zay Flowers. Smith-Njigba had a breakout 2025 season with a league-leading 1,793 yards, as well as 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns. He dominated the Rams in the NFC title game with 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Seattle got one of the league’s best cornerbacks, Devon Witherspoon, at No. 5 overall in that 2023 draft. Witherspoon was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded cornerback this season.
Both of the Seahawks’ starting tackles, both of the starting guards, star defensive tackle Byron Murphy, starting safety Coby Bryant and defensive back Nick Emmanwori were all drafted, too.
Seattle’s last five first-round picks are all starters.
The Seahawks are a title contender again largely because the quality of their draft classes significantly improved after some tough years in the mid-to-late 2010s.
Trades
Patriots
The Patriots have not built through the trade market much. The only player on the AFC title game roster who was brought in via trade is backup offensive tackle Vederian Lowe.
Seahawks
Trading away a future Hall of Fame quarterback who led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title wasn’t easy, but moving on from Russell Wilson in 2022 was the right move. The trade resulted in the Seahawks getting the No. 9 pick in 2022 and the No. 5 pick in 2023 — among other picks and players — resulting in starting tackle Charles Cross and elite cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Trading star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers last March allowed Smith-Njigba to step into the No. 1 role and thrive.
Three of the Seahawks’ six Pro Bowl players in 2025 were acquired in trades, including wide receiver/kick returner Rashid Shaheed, defensive tackle Leonard Williams and linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
Free agents
Patriots
David Butler II-Imagn Images
David Butler II-Imagn Images
Not many Super Bowl teams build a significant amount of their roster in free agency, but the Patriots are an exception. They didn’t just spend big and add a ton of players in free agency, they hit on almost every move.
The most profound was the addition of defensive tackle Milton Williams, who has been a beast in the middle of the defensive line. Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III has played well in the playoffs and brings Super Bowl-winning experience. Linebacker Robert Spillane led the team in tackles. Khyiris Tonga and K’Lavon Chaisson have made a positive impact on the front seven. Jack Gibbens has played important snaps at linebacker. Harold Landry III led the team in sacks.
Stefon Diggs became the team’s first 1,000-yard wideout since 2019. Morgan Moses has been a very good starting right tackle. Veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins has been a trusted target for Drake Maye. The Garrett Bradbury signing was criticized because he struggled as the Vikings’ starting center last season. But he’s been a reliable player for New England.
And those were just the 2025 free agent signings. Previous free agent additions such as Jaylinn Hawkins (2024), tight end Austin Hooper (2024), linebacker Jahlani Tavai and tight end Hunter Henry (2021) have also worked out well.
Seahawks
After trading starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders last offseason, the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $105 million contract in free agency. Darnold played very well for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, but his lackluster playoff performance hurt his free agency stock a bit. Seattle took a chance on him and it has paid huge dividends.
Darnold ranked fifth among all quarterbacks with 4,048 yards, along with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. And for someone who supposedly doesn’t play well in big games, Darnold is completing 70 percent of his passes for 470 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 2025 playoffs so far.
The Seahawks also hit on free agent wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who tallied 47 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns. Kupp was Super Bowl XLVI MVP for the Rams. The signing of defensive end Dexter Lawrence was a major addition, too. He tallied six sacks and forced three fumbles.
About the Author
Discover more from USA NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
