2012 First Round Draft Trade Rumor (Pats want to trade down from #31)

[ATippett56]

WalterFootball.com: NFL Draft Rumor Mill

Patriots Have Many Options on Draft Day

Published April 17, 2012
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell

If there is one team that is likely to be moving around on Draft Day it's obviously the New England Patriots. Every year, the Patriots deftly move up and down the draft board and stockpile picks. Through trades with the Raiders and Saints, New England enters the 2012 NFL Draft with four picks in the top 60 selections. They have two first-round and two second-round selections. There is no doubt that New England is sure to be moving around again.

If the Patriots wanted to, they could climb high in the first round. If they packaged their two first-round picks together (Nos. 27 and 31), they could move up to the 10th- or 11th overall-pick according to the draft trade chart. Buffalo and Kansas City sit at 10 and 11, respectively. New England could be interested in South Carolina outside linebacker/defensive end Melvin Ingram if he is available, as he would be an instant upgrade as a pass-rusher. The Patriots could also target a potential five-technique defensive end like Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox or North Carolina's Quinton Coples. Maybe they would be intrigued by Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe, as Vince Wilfork is aging.

While all of those players could appeal to New England. The Patriots always seem to be more willing to move down and add more picks rather than move up and sacrifice players.

The most likely move for New England would be to trade away one of its first-round picks. In speaking with one well-informed league source, they believe that the Patriots will take a player with the 27th-overall pick and move down from 31. They will exploit a player falling lower than expected and possibly pick up a 2013 first-rounder for a team that wants to jump back into the first round.

Also keep in mind that New England doesn't have a fifth-round pick, so it wouldn't be a shock if it looks to add one and be in position for a player in case someone it likes falls into that range.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Maybe they would be intrigued by Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe, as Vince Wilfork is aging.

Seriously? Would anyone seriously argue that Wilfork's play is declining? [We're talking about a guy who got All-Pro votes at defensive tackle and defensive end in 2010.]

 

[UK_Pat37]

'They believe'.

Meh. How is this big news? Just another guy speculating. I've heard a number of rumours which include the Pats trading both firsts down, the Pats picking with one and moving another one down and even the rumour (which which holds more stock than most others) that the Pats are looking to package both picks to move up.

Simple fact is none of us know. The Pats will know what they want to do in certain situations but they won't know exactly what they will do because they don't know how the board will unfold yet. If it unfolds one way they may trade up but, if it unfolds another, they may trade away one or even both....this isn't any real news. This guy's no more in the know than you or me.

 

[DaBruinz]

In all honesty, this is not new or revealing. Hell, many of us on here have speculated that the Pats would trade down with the 31st pick in an attempt to add a pick next year. I wouldn't be surprised if WalterFootball got that "RUMOR" from this board..

 

[Wretch]

Seriously? Would anyone seriously argue that Wilfork's play is declining? [We're talking about a guy who got All-Pro votes at defensive tackle and defensive end in 2010.]

I am as big a fan of VW as anyone but it is never too early to have a plan for replacing a player of VW's caliber especially when you consider how hard players like VW are to find in the draft.

All players in the NFL are 1 play away from an injury related retirement. That is why I don't blame the player for trying to maximize their salaries, but I also don't think less of teams that move on from aging players.

Anecdotally it seems BB prefers to move on from a player before their play declines significantly rather than after so he can maximize their value in a trade. For an example see, Richard Seymour.

 

[stevedogc]

They never said Wilforks play is declining. The simply said he is aging. Which is true. He is still the best nose tackle in the game, but he will be 31 in November and I for one am suprised that he has not had any serious injuries so far. He's played in 112 games and thats alot for a 325lb nose tackle. But I wouldnt spend a first round pick on a guy you think may be a replacement for him. If they are looking for a future replacement I would look at Alameda Ta'amu from Washington in the 3rd or 4th round. Wilfork still has a few years left of his prime so wasting a first on his replacement makes no sense.

 

[Gronkandez]

With all the guys they've signed so far, I seriously doubt they'll be looking to add late round draft picks. They could trade up and out to future drafts, but accumulating late round picks for this year would be dumb IMO.

 

[The Scrizz]

In other news the arctic is expecting snow.

This is like someone breaking news that I am going to take a dump at 11am (I'm very regular).

 

[Ochmed Jones]

'They believe'.

Meh. How is this big news? Just another guy speculating. I've heard a number of rumours which include the Pats trading both firsts down, the Pats picking with one and moving another one down and even the rumour (which which holds more stock than most others) that the Pats are looking to package both picks to move up.

Simple fact is none of us know. The Pats will know what they want to do in certain situations but they won't know exactly what they will do because they don't know how the board will unfold yet. If it unfolds one way they may trade up but, if it unfolds another, they may trade away one or even both....this isn't any real news. This guy's no more in the know than you or me.

How the board unfolds will dictate not only BB's desire to move, but his ability to move. If there is not a Dez Bryant or Clay Mathews or Mark Ingram on the board at #31, then no one is calling BB when the Pats are on the clock at #31.

However, important note: BB has had some success leveraging late first round skill players into additional draft picks, could he have success in this draft if RB Doug Martin is on the board at #31, a lot of teams appear interested in him. What about WR Wright?

 

[dryheat44]

How the board unfolds will dictate not only BB's desire to move, but his ability to move. If there is not a Dez Bryant or Clay Mathews or Mark Ingram on the board at #31, then no one is calling BB when the Pats are on the clock at #31.

However, important note: BB has had some success leveraging late first round skill players into additional draft picks, could he have success in this draft if RB Doug Martin is on the board at #31, a lot of teams appear interested in him. What about WR Wright?

Brandon Weedon or whichever QB is this year's Ponder/Dalton that gets overdrafted because teams are desparate for quality quarterbacking.

Back to the original thread, I also heard a rumor. People are whispering that the Colts will take either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin at #1, and the Redskins will take the other at #2.

 

[manxman2601]

FWIW, two other Patriot specific rumours I've seen:

1. The Patriots are one of the teams highest on courtney Upshaw

2. Vinny Curry is very high on the Pats board.

Treat with as much scepticism as you'd like.

 

[State]

It seems to me they should be high on Andre Branch for his versatility, length, and closing speed getting after the QB.

He can be OLB in the 3-4, or put his hand in the dirt in the 4-3. Lots of flexibility. Seems like he may be available at 27 and is a player they have their eyes on.

Probably 31 gets traded down. And I wouldn't discount the Browns trading up for Brandon Weeden like Greg Bedard speculated in his mock.

 

[Seneschal2]

In all honesty, this is not new or revealing.

If the Pats had only one first rounder -- there would still be rumors of them trading it. Master maneuverer that BB -- and the pseudo experts know it.

 

[BelichickFan]

FWIW, two other Patriot specific rumours I've seen:

1. The Patriots are one of the teams highest on courtney Upshaw

2. Vinny Curry is very high on the Pats board.

Treat with as much scepticism as you'd like.

Curious where you heard those. Upshaw is interesting as he looks 50-50 or better to be there at #27. Curry I think of as more of a second rounder but I'm not sure he'd make it to our first #2. I'd be curious what we'd do with Upshaw, possibly the Carter role of weak side DE in a 4-3 who is stout enough (for his size) to play the run but still can get upfield. He's different than Carter but I could see him playing that spot.

 

[Patriot Missile]

FWIW, two other Patriot specific rumours I've seen:

1. The Patriots are one of the teams highest on courtney Upshaw

2. Vinny Curry is very high on the Pats board.

Treat with as much scepticism as you'd like.

I would like that very much.

 

[TealSox]

No news here... but it is interesting to speculate as to WHICH team would trade a first round pick in 2013 for either the 27th or 31st pick.

First of all, any team looking for a QB in this draft isn't likely to move a first round pick next year - since obviously, that team would be giving up a high to mid first round pick.

Miami? Cleveland? Arizona?

Now a team like San Francisco may want to jump in front of the New York Giants to grab the Stanford tight end. The 49ers might think they will have continued success and figure another receiving tight end would complement Vernon Davis. Not to mention he is a Harbaugh guy. Note that I don't even think the Giants will look to take Fleener anyways.

The Falcons might be gutsy enough to trade back into the first round, after giving up their picks last year for Julio Jones. Dallas might even want to double dip since they have been known to like a few players projected to go in the first round, including Poe.

Anyways, it will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

 

[manxman2601]

Curious where you heard those. Upshaw is interesting as he looks 50-50 or better to be there at #27. Curry I think of as more of a second rounder but I'm not sure he'd make it to our first #2. I'd be curious what we'd do with Upshaw, possibly the Carter role of weak side DE in a 4-3 who is stout enough (for his size) to play the run but still can get upfield. He's different than Carter but I could see him playing that spot.

Twitter. although I only follow fairly good legit sources - no Incarcerated Bob on my twitter feed.

 

[manxman2601]

Back to the original thread, I also heard a rumor. People are whispering that the Colts will take either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin at #1, and the Redskins will take the other at #2.

Smokescreen!!!