This past spring, the Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Committee selected the Patriots All-Decade team of the 2010s. The following 29 members were voted to represent the best Patriots from 2010-19. For a full list of every Patritos All-Decade Teams, click here.
OFFENSE
OT Nate Solder – Nate Solder joined the Patriots in 2011 and quickly established himself as a starter at left tackle protecting Tom Brady’s blind side. Solder spent seven years in New England and played a critical role in two Super Bowl victories.
OT Sebastian Vollmer – Sebastian Vollmer began the decade as the club’s starting right tackle and remained there until his retirement in 2015. Vollmer earned AP All-Pro second team honors in 2010.
G Logan Mankins – Logan Mankins was a dominant guard for the Patriots from 2005 to 2013, which included four seasons in the 2010s. Mankins was named first team Associated Press (AP) All-Pro 2010 while also earning Pro Bowl Honors in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 in a Patriots uniform. Mankins is also a member of the Patriots 2000s All-Decade Team, Patriots 50th Anniversary Team, and the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
G Joe Thuney – Joe Thuney began his career as the Patriots starting left guard in 2016 and has started every game since. Thuney was a member of the 2016 NFL All-Rookie Team and earned second team AP All-Pro Honors in 2019. Thuney played a crucial role for the Super Bowl LI and LIII Championship teams.
C David Andrews – David Andrews joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and took over as the starting center that same season. The reliable, athletic center has also served as team captain during its recent Super Bowl run.
TE Rob Gronkowski – Rob Gronkowski began the decade with the Patriots and left his mark on the record books. Gronk owns the franchise record for touchdowns (79), Multi-TD games (16), and seasons with 10+ TDs (5). He also has the franchise record for most receptions by a TE (521), receiving yards by a TE (7,861), and single-season touchdowns by a TE (18). Gronk was part of three Super Bowl champions teams, earned five Pro Bowl Honors, four first team AP All-Pro Honors and was also named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
WR Julian Edelman – Julian Edelman spent the entire decade with the Patriots. Beginning primarily as a punt returner, Edelman climbed the Patriots WR depth chart. He ranks second in Patriots all-time receptions (599), fourth in receiving yards (6,507), and ninth in receiving TDs (36). Edelman was a major contributor to three Super Bowl championship teams while earning the MVP nod in Super Bowl LIII.
WR Wes Welker – Wes Welker entered the decade as Tom Brady’s main receiving target. Welker continued to add to his record-breaking career with the Patriots until departing after the 2012 season. Welker earned first team AP All-Pro Honors in 2011 and Pro Bowl Honors in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Welker remains the franchise leader in receptions with 672. Welker was also a member of the Patriots 2000s All-Decade Team.
QB Tom Brady – Tom Brady’s greatness spanned two dull decades with the Patriots. After leading the team to three Super Bowl wins in the 2000s, he did the same in 2010s while throwing for 43,727 yards and 316 TDs during the latest decade. Brady earned 9 consecutive Pro Bowl Honors from 2010-18. He was named first team AP All-Pro in 2010 and 2017 and NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2010. Brady was named NFL AP Most Valuable Player in 2010 and 2017. Brady was also named Super Bowl XLIX and LI MVP. He was selected to the Patriots 2000s All-Decade Team, the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team, the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team, and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
RB James White – James White was drafted by the Patriots in 2014 and became a focal point of their offense in 2015. White balances the offense and adds flexibility with his pass-catching and running ability. White was part of three Super Bowl championship teams in the decade and tallied 139 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns and a two-point conversion in Super Bowl LI’s amazing comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons.
FB James Develin – James Develin served as the Patriots premiere run blocker for 7 seasons. Develin paved the way for the Patriots rushing attack and earned his a Pro Bowl Honor in 2017. He helped rookie Sony Michel rush for a rookie playoff record six touchdowns on the road to a Super Bowl LIII win.
Flex Danny Amendola – Danny Amendola played 5 seasons with the Patriots from 2013 to 2017. Amendola performed is best on the biggest stages. In 13 playoff games, Amendola caught 57 passes and scored six touchdowns, including two in the Super Bowl along with an amazing toe-tapping catch in the back of the end zone in an 2017 AFC Championship comeback win over the Jaguars.
DEFENSE
DE Chandler Jones – Chandler Jones was a first round draft pick in 2012 and played with the Patriots through the 2015 season. Jones was a terrific pass rusher who led the team in sacks in 2013 and 2015 while earning a Pro Bowl appearance in 2015. Jones also was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team.
DE Trey Flowers – Trey Flowers was a solid anchor as both a run defender and pass rusher. In his three seasons on the field for the Patriots, Flowers led the team in sacks each year and totaled 21 sacks. He also had 2.5 sacks during the Super Bowl LI comeback win over the Falcons that proved critical.
DT Vince Wilfork – Vince Wilfork was drafted in 2004 and remained the heart of the defense through Super Bowl XLIX at the end of the 2014 season. Wilfork was a stalwart at nose tackle over the years and almost immovable in the running game. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2010, 2011, and 2012 while also being named first team AP All-Pro in 2012. Wilfork is also a member of the Patriots 2000s All-Decade Team and the 50th Anniversary Team.
DT Lawrence Guy – Lawrence Guy joined the Patriots in 2017 and made an instant impact on the run defense over the next three seasons. Guy has tallied 178 tackles including 94 solo tackles and 12 tackles for a loss in his three seasons in New England.
OLB Rob Ninkovich – Rob Ninkovich blossomed into an outstanding edge linebacker and leader with the Patriots. Ninkovich began playing significant minutes in 2010 and proved to be a playmaker. Ninkovich led the team in sacks in both 2012 and 2014 while also recording five interceptions and 12 forced fumbles.
OLB Kyle Van Noy – Kyle Van Noy joined the Patriots halfway through the 2016 season and was a strong contributor for both the Super Bowl LI and LIII championship defenses. During his 3.5 seasons with the Patriots, Van Noy totaled 16.5 sacks and five forced fumbles while establishing himself as a play-making linebacker.
ILB Dont’a Hightower – Dont’a Hightower has been a force in the middle since joining the Patriots in 2012. He has captained three Super Bowl championship defenses and made some of his biggest plays in the biggest moments, including a strip-sack that was one of the critical plays during the Super Bowl LI comeback win over the Falcons and a touchdown saving tackle that helped preserve the Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seahawks. In 102 games, Hightower has tallied 25.5 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2016 and 2019.
ILB Jerod Mayo – Jerod Mayo entered the decade as a leader on the Patriots defense and remained with the club through 2015. Mayo registered 571 combined tackles from 2010-15 and earned first team AP All-Pro honors in 2010 as well as Pro Bowl selections in 2010 and 2012.
CB Stephon Gilmore – Stephon Gilmore signed with the Patriots ahead of the 2017 season. He has since become the best cornerback in the NFL. He led the Patriots in passes defended the past in 2018 and 2019 and also led in interceptions in 2019. Gilmore earned consecutive first team AP All-Pro and Pro Bowl Honors in 2018 and 2019 and was named 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year.
CB Malcolm Butler – Malcolm Butler became a household name after making the greatest play in Super Bowl history his rookie year. Butler followed that championship-clinching play by becoming a lock down corner for the Patriots. Leading the team in passes defended in 2015, 2016, 2017 and interceptions in 2016. Butler also earned Pro Bowl Honors in 2015.
S Devin McCourty – Devin McCourty anchored the Patriots defensive backfield for the entire decade. His leadership and experience from the safety position has cemented the back of the defense . McCourty’s 26 career interceptions land him 8th on the franchise’s all-time interceptions list. He was also named to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2016.
S Patrick Chung – Patrick Chung spent nine seasons with the Patriots during the 2010s and gave the defensive backfield some muscle and athleticism. While serving as a run stopping or tight end smothering safety, Chung totaled 682 combined tackles throughout the decade. He was a member of three Super Bowl championship teams.
K Stephen Gostkowski – Stephen Gostkowski was drafted by the Patriots in 2006 and played through 2019. In the past decade, he led the team in points with 1,262 while making 271 of 307 field goals. Gostkowski earned three consecutive Pro Bowl berths from 2013 to 2015, was named first team AP All-Pro in 2015 and was a member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team. Gostkowski became the franchise’s all-time scoring leader in 2014.
P Ryan Allen – Ryan Allen owned punting duties for the Patriots from 2013 through 2018. Allen punted 409 times for a franchise best 45.3 yards per punt. He was part of three Super Bowl championship and was an MVP candidate in Super Bowl LIII
Returner Julian Edelman – Julian Edelman began his Patriots career as a prolific punt returner. Over the past 10 seasons, Edelman returned 171 punts for 1,923 yards for an average of 11.2 yards per return. He currently ranks third in all-time punt return yards for the Pats.
Special Teamer Matthew Slater – Matthew Slater led the Patriots special teams unit for the entire decade. As a team captain, Slater still stands as one of the most trusted voices in the Patriots locker room (Aww Yeah). Slater has earned 8 Pro Bowl honors (2011-17, 2019) as a special teamer during the decade and two AP All-Pro first team honors in 2016 and 2019.
Head coach Bill Belichick – Bill Belichick has completed his second complete decade as the Patriots Head Coach and maintained championship success . He led the Patriots to every AFC East Championship in the decade and posted a regular season record of 125-35 while winning five AFC championships and three Super Bowl championships. Belichick was also the coach on the Patriots 2000s All-Decade Team , the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team, the NFL’s 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Team, and was select to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
