These arent your same old Dolphins. Parcells builds from the line out. To get a #1`QB to get killed behind no line would be a waste, besides its more obvious than ever you dont need a #1 qb to win in his system(where was T.Romo drafted??). They sure would like to trade down, but I think when the coin flip happens and JJ figures out that KC has a shot at DMF then his trade might be there instead of #1. Holding #1 I think their choice is Ellis who is showing he can play NT in the 3-4. As a pats fan, we should be hoping that Ryan slips past both them and ATL so we will be in perfect position to trade back ourselves. Most mock drafts have DL(Ellis,Dorsey,Long)going 1-2-3. Should one of those slip I wouldnt be surprised to see us try and move up ourselves if the Dallas/KC trade doesnt happen.
I agree that Parcells, like Belichick, likes to build from the line out. However, your synopsis of Romo isn't accurate. Romo is a top QB. Just like Brady was. He just needed time to develop. Like Brady did. Draft position matters not.
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Parcells deal his pick to the Cowboys for Barber and the Boys 2 picks. Then turn around and deal the Phins 2nd round or Dallas' 1st round pick to Cleveland for Derek Anderson, even though Anderson has supposedly been told he'll be the Browns starting QB next season. Then the Phins still have a pick to take a good O-lineman for a LT so they can move Carey back to RT.
Then, Parcells has a QB and a good stable of RBs.
Now, as much as I'd like Ryan to fall, I don't think its likely that he falls out of the top 5. It COULD happen. However, does that really put the Pats in a good position to trade back? Lets look at the next 10 teams behind the Patriots. They are the Ravens, Bengals, Saints, Bills, Broncos, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Cardinals and Vikings. Which of those teams NEEDS a QB? Ravens, Bears, Lions and maybe the Panthers, though I feel that Matt Moore is the real deal, ala Romo. The Pats could use the Bears as leverage to get the Ravens to over-pay to move up one spot, but not likely. So, for the Bears to move up from 14, I don't think #75 is enough. But I doubt they'd trade #14 and #46 just to move up to #7. Though it could happen if they are scared that the Ravens might take Ryan. So, lets say that the Pats swap #7 and #63 for #14, #46, #75 (or whatever the numbers work out to be).
There aren't that many trade partners for a qb. Now, for other players, sure, but I wouldn't want the Pats to trade any farther back than #16. That way they get the best value (6 years/lower 1st round money) if they can still get an impact player, like a CB (Cason, Jenkins, Cromartie).