Could we be Getting Ready to Trade Up?

The cicle continues. First we hope for aggressiveness during the Free Agency. Then we are disappointed that we didn't make an splash.

Secondly, we expect a trade up, considering the immeasurable quantity of picks we possess, only to be heartbroken when we trade down to pick a kid no one's ever heard of, because he was a team captain and/or has "special teams value"(he's probably from Rutgers too)

I'm not saying it won't happen. Almost every year there is an unexpected occurrence. I'm just not holding my breath for anything.

Still waiting for Larry Fitzgerald, though

there's not a ton of ammo to trade up - right now (not including any comp picks) they have one pick in rds 1, 2, 3, 6, & 7, no 5th and two 4ths....I've seen the pats go into to drafts with much more ammo than that and do nothing with the picks other than trade down for a bunch of garbage, but we've also seen them trade up for future picks they've flipped into good players.

Its very unlikely that the Pats will trade up this year simply because they don't have the draft capital to do it. It IS possible that if/when they trade down, they pick up some capital and use it to move up in some of the 2nd day rounds, but unless Goodell is granting us some Jets picks, it is hard to see a circumstance that will have us moving up, especially on the first day.

One of the most remarkable things about the Pats continued success (and one of the least talked about) is the fact that for the last 15 years, the highest pick they ever had was Mayo at #10, The next highest was Solder at #17, and the nest have all been in the 20's or 30's. Incredible, 15 years and only one pick in the top half of the draft.

Over the course of this run the Pats have averaged picking 27th in EVERY round. Think about THAT t for a second. EVERYONE else has had a distinct advantage in the most important talent selection process the league has to offer, and over that 15 years the Pats have been the most successful team in the league. You want to know why?

50 yd line knows. After you get passed the top 3-6 "transcendent" talents that come into the league each year, the drop off in actual physical talent is relatively minor. The Pats are one of the few organizations that understand that good coaching of the "right" player, in the right system can result in a better football player and is much more important than who ran a 4.4 and who ran a 4.6. They also know WHAT to look for when they select players

For example, many people thought the Pats were reaching when the select DBranch in the 2nd. Typically they all focused in on the fact he ran a 4.6 forty. They neglected to notice that he also ran the 2nd fastest 3 cone time at his combine. They failed to note that the Pats cared a lot less about the guy who can "take the top off of defenses" and a lot more about a guy who can get separation coming out of his break..

BlueThunder said:

BB normally goes for value. I can't see him trading up unless a possible CB he really really really likes falls within range. He won't try to move up alot IMHO. Just a few spots to nab a special player he covets.

He's more apt to move down to gather more picks. That is getting more difficult as more teams see the value of that strategy.

I say that Pats just need quality players in a few positions every draft...LOL

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There is always someone whose GM or HC job is on the line because they havent performed for 2 years and this is their 3d make or get fired season. Part of the trouble is though, that BB has the rep for coming out ahead on these type deals; so those same idiots are more wary of doing that dumb deal with BB than any of the other 30 teams.

But regardless, if BB is really satisfied wiht the depth and wants to 'NOT USE' some of our 'too many' picks this year; then he is more likely going to try trade out for next-year's picks. Turn a 4-32 in 2015 to a 3-15 in 2016. Now that is real money-making.

I just dont see him using the trade-up strategy [in the same year] other than to leap-frog one-two competing-needs teams to get a player where quality-drop off to next best is huge.

1960Pats said:

You don't seem old enough to be in diapers.

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I'm sure I probably needed some on that final drive of the Superbowl

John Clayton said something on the radio the other night that caught my attention. In 2012 over 120 FA changed teams. Of the 120 players only around 20 players are still with that team. Just look at Phins and Bucs with their fire sales.

Gronk was a trade up to get ahead of Ravens who took Pitter.

Only player I would trade up for is the kid out of Iowa. I have been watching a lot of youtube videos on potential players we could draft and he stood out.

Before free agency some of us expected a trade up in case they were able to retain all or almost all of our own FA. Revis, McCourthy, some of Branch/Casillas/Ayers mid season group. Vereen was considered gone a long time ago, after the SB it was a sure thing.

In this case mentioned above, we would keep a very competitive and deep team in all positions, not having too much room for rookies, we still have guys developing on Dobson, Boyce, Buchannon, and it would be a waste to use draft picks in players that would have a long shot to make the roster, like happened last year with Jemea Thomas and Gallon. I understand in Bill process this is not really a waste because you have to break the eggs and spend some draft money to see what you have in the end of training camp and field the best possible team. I imagine Bill puts almost the same value on a 7th round player than in a 1st rounder. Out of the college they are just rookies with no proven quality whatsoever in the pros. But in the end it would still be very difficult for 6th and 7th rounders to make the roster.

But, things turned the other way, we lost a lot of players, Vereen, Revis (and with him the unexpected release of Browner), Ayers, Casillas, Ridley is as good as gone I think. Important signs have been made on Chandler and Sheard. A lot of garbage CB were signed to see what sticks to the wall, it's a valid strategy but I no longer see us trading up. There are room for rookies now and we are about to rebuild our secondary again. Fortunately the front seven is stable, solid and there are players that are still to hit their ceiling that may come this year.

Another aspect, as mentioned, drafting on #32 is not really a good spot for trading up, we are basically out of the 1st round anyway and totally out of the top 20. If you are on #25 or #28 is a different thing.

For everyone that thinks trading up is justified because of the Atlanta Falcons and Julio Jones: Have you seen the Falcons OL and entire defense recently? That's what happens when you trade picks.

Unless there's some great player that really unexpectedly falls, I would prefer they stand pat at 32 and take BPA, or trade back slightly. The best move would be to snipe guys in rounds 2 & 3, maybe move up slightly in those rounds to get a guy who falls there.

why would we trade up in a mediocre draft?

chasa said:

why would we trade up in a mediocre draft?

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I don't think this draft is mediocre, Chasa.

The Dline, Oline, Wr and Rbs Class are very good and deep. There may not a flashy player like Clowney, but i think there are good players throughout the 3 days (hence the reason i am not high on trading up. I would like more picks rhis year)

I'm curious on why you think otherwise

If the draft goes how I expect there won't be any players sliding into range for the Patriots who offer a first round grade and I expect them to not only trade out of the first but to trade into the first for next year. I then fully expect the board to become inaccessible due to the massive denial of service attack by members who are incensed and post and refresh at a spastic level.

VrabelJr said:

For everyone that thinks trading up is justified because of the Atlanta Falcons and Julio Jones: Have you seen the Falcons OL and entire defense recently? That's what happens when you trade picks.

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Yep, with lower draft picks than the ones Atlanta gave up, the Patriots drafted a raft of players including Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley and Marcus Cannon.

Pats should be able to pick up a quality OL or two early in the draft. Right now the OL and CB positions are the only areas I see as immediate concerns......RB, TE, are set IMHO.....LB and DL are probably depth only. Not sure what BB will pick up later in FA or trade to shore up any weakness he perceives.

I'm just sitting back, enjoying the ride, and anticipating the draft to see how it unfolds.......It's a great year to be a Patriot fan and see how BB retools the team for the future.....

For whom would they pats trade?

Answers:
1) No.
2) But if they did, for whom would they trade up?

Brit patriot said:

Despite some of the chicken littles getting ready to throw themselves in the harbour, it has to be said, we have a very powerful squad. Yes there are a few areas we need to work on, but we are in a lot stronger position than almost every other team.

Now what we also have are huge amount of draft picks. It could be argued we don't need that many players, just quality ones

Could we be getting ready to trade up in the draft? Could that be one of the reasons we haven't gone mad in Free Agency?

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I think Seattle Trading out of the First Round Helps N.E. alot alot because the Saints need Everything except QB. Their will be some very Good players available at 32 and 64. The Patriots Needs are as follows OG - CB - DT - WR - CB.

Waiting for the annual rumor that the Pats are trading into the top ten. I never rule out BB doing anything because it's all situational but Id have to be one hell of a player and one hell of a deal for BB to do it.

Last year the Patriots cut 3 of their 9 draft choices. The players cut were not even good enough to
make their practice squad. Why trade down to add more choices that aren't going to make the roster?
With regard to trading into 2016, the Patriots will probably have 2 or 3 compensatory picks. They can
use a couple of their picks this year to tweak their pick and get a little better player. Picks after the
4th round are not locks to make the team.

More likely we trade down than up. Or maybe even trade out and get picks for next year.