How can the team overcome the loss of next year's 1st round draft pick?

I can't get over the fact that the 1st round draft pick is gone. It's clear that the NFL is trying to cripple the future success of the franchise. So now that we have to deal with this, what can Belichick do to maintain the excellence of the on-field product?

The good news is this a young and talented team. The Pats are better equipped to weather the loss than most other teams.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

I can't get over the fact that the 1st round draft pick is gone. It's clear that the NFL is trying to cripple the future success of the franchise. So now that we have to deal with this, what can Belichick do to maintain the excellence of the on-field product?

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Trade new all-world TE Jake Bequette for another #1.

Tom Brady.

Tom Brady is always the answer, regardless of the question.

Maybe after this is all played out we'll get the picks back. If the science proves the balls weren't tampered with what is the justification for keeping the picks?

There could be more sinister workings here such as hobbling the Patriots to make the league less predictable for entertainment and monetary purposes.at some point I'll stop watching a rigged league. But that is one thing still keeping me watching is bellichick overcoming the fraud from the nfl and referees and manufactured anti patriot hate and winning despite all that. Bellichick defying the corruption and the odds is an inspiration to the little guy facing the same thing in life.

Uh, maybe really cheat in a really hard to detect way?

Hey, my way could work. What other way "Unicorn Pixie Dust" aside will work?

Best draft in Patriots history, they didn't have a first round pick. In fact, only one player from that draft made an impact.

I say, the best revenge and way to overcome is to replicate that draft. Draft a QB with compensatory 6th round pick next year with pick 199.

Spend the money saved from not having to pay a first rounder. Spend it in free agency on a good player.

Business as usual. Maybe sign someone they otherwise wouldn't or save that money to help pay Collins etc. I don't think it will be that big of an impact. If Sheard is good, I could see them trading Chandler Jones for a '17 first rounder.

Lots of options and I trust BB to make the correct ones.

It's tough honestly.

I would just say get creative with contracts to make sure you hold on to the talented players you already have a little longer.

Also maybe get lucky and really hit on a later rounder that year and hope some young/late guys you drafted this year work out.

If Butler comes on as a #1 and Roberts turns out to be something (early indications signal it might be possible) then it solves a lot of problems.

PatsWickedPissah said:

Uh, maybe really cheat in a really hard to detect way?

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Sure, we could replicate some of the ways every, single other team in the league has cheated and skated. And every one of them has on multiple occasions.

What would've happened in 2014 if first round pick Easley never played?

Probably Super Bowl

Win SB50.

Who would give a crap about not having a 1st round pick coming off of back to back championships?

Water board Goodell until he rescinds the punishment

GaryfromTO said:

Water board Goodell until he rescinds the punishment

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You must have missed my Saw (the movie) thread about Goodell.

FourierSeries said:

Tom Brady.

Tom Brady is always the answer, regardless of the question.

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Detective: we have your finger prints, strains of your hair, your blood and the victims blood at the crime scene, we have video footage of you committing the act and we have 10 eye witnesses that place you as the suspect. What do you have to say for yourself?

Suspect: Tom Brady

Detective: Well I'm satisfied, we'll continue our search for the real suspect. Thank you for your time, so sorry for the interruption.. have a fabulous day!

Call up Mark Davis and trade the Patriots 2016 first rounder and 2017 fourth rounder for the Raiders' 2017 first rounder. I don't know if he will figure out what he did until about 2018.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

You must have missed my Saw (the movie) thread about Goodell.

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just checked it out, funny!