The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I've been part of the "no CB at #7!" chorus, and I'm not wavering. BUT...a CB after a trade down is a different matter, especially if you can still wrangle yourself a pass rusher. So suppose your goal is to reconstruct the 2 #1s and come away with 2 impact players, and to heck with everything else?

TRADE, swap 1st & 2nd-round picks with Cinci, Bengals take Ellis at #7.
#9: Leodis McKelvin

TRADE: Patriots send #46, #69 and a 2009 3rd to Seattle for #25
#25: Quentin Groves

You then sit for the next 70 picks, but you've added two explosive young talents to lay a new foundation of youth and speed on defense.

Thoughts?

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

Well, that exact scenario depends on Seattle being willing to trade out of the first round again. :) But I could see Dallas doing that with one of their picks. It's also possible that you might end up with a 'bidding war' for the pick, depending on who's left at that point.

The plan certainly sounds good, though, and I wouldn't be all that upset if they did that (some might quibble about your choice of CBs, though :) ).

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I like the picks. I still can't see Cinn (Ellis) or Baltimore (Ryan) trading up for a player that will fall to them anyway.

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I agree, unless the Pats can convince those teams that if they don't make the trade with NE then NE will make the trade with some other team that wants Ryan or Ellis (Carolina for example).

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

That's definitely the idea. There are a bunch of teams in need of a DT and a significant dropoff after Ellis, so I think the Bengals would have to bite the bullet and move up.

I'm not totally sold that any of it could happen, but I think it's at least plausible. There's a lot to be said for not compromising on either CB or OLB. The more modest alternate version is to make the Cinci trade, grab your favorite CB then hope for Cliff Avril at 46 and still have #69 to play with.

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I still think the pats build from the line out. We dont need a DL, so it HAS to be a OL that can play more than 1 position. I like the idea of trading with a team 10-13 BOTH picks(1 & 2)to move up in the 2nd to get Avril. I think we have been looking at 2nd day CBs for a while and if we can get any kind of pass rusher OLB that would make up the difference in CB talent.
The problem with your scenario is that it creates "holes" in the draft. Thats what we DONT like. They want a pick every 20-30 picks to pick up VALUE throughout the draft. I would want all my apples in one basket too, his name is Chris Long!

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I'm assuming that you're contradicting yourself on purpose, which is fine. :)

I'd love Chris Long too, but when it comes down to it I think I'd rather put "all my apples" in two baskets.

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I understand the whole, inside to out theory, but eventualy you have to get to the out, you cannot stay inside every year. I think the inside is pretty much done at this point and the team needs some help on the out part. Historically the B/P regime has only taken an O-lineman in the first round once, and that was at 32.

Right now I really see two ways of going. Either trade up and get Gholston or Long. It will be painful, but sometimes that is the price. Or trade down, agressively trade down. The Saints need to move up to get Ellis, so let them, take a slightly bad deal points wise and move down to 10, then when it comes time, maybe make another move down to let someone get the 3rd best left-tackle or DE. Drop down into the low teens early twenties, then take a Cason or Groves. Then move up in the second to get either the pass rusher or CB that is available.

YMMV

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I like McKelvin, Groves, Clady, Gholston, DRC, Cason as Patriots type players. If we manage to end up with 2 of those, I'm happy.

Re: The all-in 1st round scenario
 

I cant make threads
jacking this one
NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that the Patriots will host CBs Leodis McKelvin, Antoine Cason, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, and Aquib Talib this week.
Keith Rivers and Glenn Dorsey are also visiting Foxborough as the Pats' visits have a decididly defensive feel. Still we wouldn't rule out the Patriots beefing up their lines. Sedrick Ellis and Branden Albert are two popular possibilties.