We had so much fun putting together our pre-draft Hot Lists last year (the Hot List detailing the five worst No. 1 picks in Patriots history remains one of the most popular stories in the history of WEEI.com), we thought we’d bring you more this year. On Friday, we kicked it off with the five worst draft picks of the Bill Belichick Era. Today, we’ve got the five best.

As was the case with the first list, this one is based on production, as well as draft position vs. overall expectations. There may have been better players who were drafted earlier than these guys, but considering where they taken — and consequently, what was expected of them — these five are the picks that represent the best draft value for New England since Belichick took over in 2000.

5. DL Richard Seymour. First round, 2001
Seymour was a first rounder who was taken sixth overall — not much of a draft day bargain, right? But it’s important to remember the context in which he was drafted: facing an offseason where it seemed like it was a no-brainer to go after a pass-catcher (remember the pleas for David Terrell? Koren Robinson? Santana Moss?) New England instead chose a defensive lineman out of Georgia. Roundly questioned, in hindsight, the selection of Seymour more than paid off. He would go on to become one of the more dominating linemen of his era, earning five Pro Bowl appearances.

But his selection was about more than on-field numbers. Wise beyond his years, Seymour was not only an integral part of a defense that helped win three Super Bowls, He was a great locker room presence. He provided stability along a defensive line that was stocked with three elite first-round picks (Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork) in four years. The Patriots were able to obtain terrific value when they dealt Seymour to the Raiders for a first-round pick in 2011, but his loss was felt on and off the field throughout the 2009 season.

What Belichick said about Seymour on draft day, 2001: “Certainly there were a number of other players on the board, but we felt he was the best fit for us. He’s played inside and outside. He's shown a lot of versatility. He has enough versatility to play a number of spots. There are not a lot of people in this draft who fit his dimensions.”

4. NT/DL Vince Wilfork. First round, 2004
Like Seymour, he was a first-rounder (21st overall), which kind of bumps him down the list a bit. And also like Seymour, placing Wilfork on this list has a lot to do with the context in which he has drafted: New England had struggled to maintain any real continuity at the nose. Steve Martin was a miserable failure with the Patriots, Ted Washington was out the door after one season and Keith Traylor was a mixed bag in his brief stretch in New England.

Wilfork was eased into the starting lineup as a rookie, and was soon realized a big man who could be plugged into the center of the Patriots’ 3-4 defense and be left alone to wreak havoc. In his six seasons with the Patriots, Wilfork has emerged as one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, and one of the most important defensive players on the roster. You cannot run an effective 3-4 without a peerless nose tackle, and Wilfork remains one of the best.

What Belichick said about Wilfork on draft day, 2004: “Vince Wilfork’s a guy that comes from a real good program, played a lot of good linemen down there last year, most all those guys were drafted. … He’s a big, strong, powerful guy that we think will fit well in our system at nose. Obviously, we like a lot of his whole makeup as a player and person. He's a good fit for us all the way.”

3. C Dan Koppen. Fifth round, 2003
Koppen, Ty Warren (first round) and Asante Samuel (fourth round) were all part of the impressive draft haul of 2003, but Koppen who the nod here because of where he taken — 164th overall, but has grown into the centerpiece of New England’s offensive line. The Pro Bowler has become a tough, durable player who is one of the finest offensive linemen to come out of a school that’s famous for producing them.

What Belichick said about Koppen on draft day, 2003: “Koppen’s a tough, hard-nosed, pro back-type of center from BC. A lot of good offensive linemen come out of the school and Coach [Tom] O’Brien’s a former offensive line coach and a guy who I have a lot of respect for, and I think does a good job. I think Dan was a solid guy in their program.

2. WR David Givens. Seventh round, 2002
Givens was the 253rd pick in the draft — the latest pick on our Top 5 — and eventually emerged into a key wide receiver in his four years with the Patriots. He started slowly, but in 2004, he ended up leading the Patriots with career-high 56 receptions and 874 yards. He followed that up with an equally impressive 2005, catching 59 passes for 738 yards.

But he was at his best in the postseason — beginning with the 2003 AFC Championship Game, Givens scored at least one touchdown for the Patriots' next seven playoff games, including Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX, an astounding run that spoke to his dependability in big games. Following the 2005 season, Givens left in free agency, landing a five-year, $24 million deal with Tennessee. However, he tore an ACL midway through his first season with the Titans, and was never the same receiver again.

What Belichick said of Givens about draft day, 2002: “He’s a big kid, a big, physical kid. He's been a running back, he's been a returner, and he’s a big receiver with good hands. And he’s been productive for Notre Dame, particularly his junior year.”

1. QB Tom Brady. Sixth round, 2000
What, you were expecting Dave Stachelski? The 199th overall player taken that April, Brady is not only the best draft choice of the Belichick Era, but one of the best draft values in league history. His resume is peerless. He’s become the poster child for every late-round pick — with hard work, skill and a little bit of luck, you can go from draft day afterthought to NFL MVP.

But no one had any idea at the time Brady would become what he would become — he was such an under-the-radar pick at the time that no one asked about him in Belichick’s post-draft press conference.

What Belichick said about Brady on draft day, 2000: “The value board at that point really just clearly put him as the top value. [Tom] Brady is a guy who has obviously played at a high level of competition in front of a lot of people. He’s been in a lot of pressure situations. We felt that this year his decision-making was improved from his junior year after he took over for [Brian] Griese and cut his interceptions down. [He’s] a good, tough, competitive, smart quarterback that is a good value, and how he does and what he’ll be able to do … we’ll just put him out there with everybody else and let him compete and see what happens.”

Honorable mention: G Logan Mankins, first round, 2005: Mankins has gone from being a relatively anonymous pick out of Fresno State to multiple Pro Bowl invitee. One of the best offensive linemen in the league. WR Julian Edelman, seventh round, 2009: A converted collegiate quarterback, if he duplicates his rookie output he will have a place in the Top 5 sooner rather than later. LB Tully Banta-Cain, seventh round, 2003: Led the Patriots in sacks this past season. QB Matt Cassel, seventh round, 2005: In 2008, he went from being Tom Brady’s backup to sweet contract and starters’ job in Kansas City. K Stephen Gostkowski, fourth round, 2006: Asked to replace Adam Vinatieri, he’s become a Pro Bowler and one of the best young kickers in the game.