According to someone I was talking to about this earlier, James Laurinaitis has already stated his intentions of coming back to college next season. Now, that doesn't mean he can't change his mind down the road, but I wouldn't count on his declaring either.
Really, I could see them drafting someone like Kenny Phillips or Rey Maualuga, and they may be able to trade back to around 12-16 and still land one of them. Think about that, they could trade back to the middle of round one, grab a top prospect, and get a second, or third rounder in return.
This year I think NE should try and use a lot of their picks instead of trading them into next year, as the 2008 Patriots look to have more potential holes then recent Pats sqauds.
You could very well be correct about Laurinaitis. However, his draft stock is never going to be highter so it would make sense for him to come out early.