New England moved from No. 52 to No. 46 in the 1999 draft for…
New England moved from No. 52 to No. 46 in the 1999 draft for Kevin Faulk, sending Tennessee the 52nd and 117th picks. Faulk became a 161-game Patriot, gained more than 7,000 yards from scrimmage and won three Super Bowls. Tennessee used No. 52 on John Thornton, who played 143 games and had a strong career, making this a good trade for both sides but a Patriots win.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1999 2nd round pick (46th overall, Kevin Faulk)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1999 2nd round pick (52nd overall, John Thornton)
- pick 1999 4th round pick (117th overall, Donald Mitchell)
Trade Analysis
Why New England Targeted Faulk
The Patriots moved up six spots in the second round to select LSU running back Kevin Faulk. Tennessee received the 52nd pick and an additional fourth-rounder. The cost was not trivial, but New England was buying a versatile player rather than a traditional feature back. Faulk’s ability to run, catch, protect the quarterback and contribute on special teams eventually made him unusually valuable across several coaching eras.
What Faulk Meant to the Patriots
Faulk played 161 regular-season games, all for New England. He rushed for 3,607 yards, added thousands more as a receiver and became a trusted situational player on three Super Bowl championship teams. His career value extended well beyond raw rushing totals because he filled third-down and change-of-pace roles for more than a decade. Longevity with one franchise is especially meaningful for a second-round selection acquired through a trade-up.
What Tennessee Got in Return
The Titans did well with the move down. They used No. 52 on defensive tackle John Thornton, who played 143 games and recorded 27.5 sacks over a 10-year career. Tennessee therefore did not simply surrender Faulk for marginal draft pieces; it found a durable starter of its own and also held the 117th selection. That strong return makes this one of the closer wins in the group.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. New England earns an A- because Faulk became a 13-year Patriot, a versatile offensive piece and a three-time champion. Tennessee receives a B because Thornton developed into a long-term NFL starter and justified the move down. Both teams extracted substantial value, but Faulk’s franchise longevity, postseason role and championship contribution create a modest edge for New England.