Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

So most 'top' draft experts are saying there are around 25 '5-star' players at the top of this draft class. From position 26 to a round the 70 mark contain all the '4-star' prospects.

So basically unless a miracle happens and one or more of the '5-stars' drops to #27 and/or #31 we should trade completely out of the first round, preferably for next years first and a second this year for both our first round picks... there will be a couple of desperate teams I'm sure..

This seems like the logical and smartest thing to do. We still get four '4-star' players but gain two extra first round picks next season.

I may well be stating the obvious, I apologize if that is the case.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

If there are 25 '5 star' players, there is a very good chance that one ends up at 27! Only needs 2 '4 star' players to be taken!

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

Then next year when there are only 25 5 stars and we're picking 26, 28 and 30. We trade for picks in 2014 and so on. How bout the novel idea of trading up? Not too many of our 3RD ROUND picks have done squat. If there's a player at a position we need package it with 27 and snag him. Then wait and see who is on the board at 31 before trading out.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

I doubt it drops off so precipitously. More likely, it drops off from a 5-star, to a couple of 4.9 stars, a few 4.8 stars, etc...Also, teams value guys differently. So all picks in that 26-70 range are not equal. I'd rather be picking who I want than settling for the leftovers.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

I could buy this concept.

If the choice is: (a) two 1sts and two 2nds this year, versus (b) four 2nds, plus a 1st and a 2nd next year, I would take (b) with no remorse.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

Ryan Tannehill is one of the none '5 star' players that will be taken in the top 10, so that leaves one more team to reach to let one of said 5 star prospects drop to #27.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

There is a certain immense irony in the thought that Ryan Tannehill might be drafted in the top 10, while Ryan Mallett lasted until pick #74. . . .

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

The relevant question is how many players do the Patriots have 1st round grades on the following criteria:

• skill
• aggregate risk
• fit for the Patriots

My bet is that list is much smaller than 25 players AND it has several players that the national rating services/scouts/press/other teams that play dramatically different styles have rated as 2nd or 3rd rounders or completely off the board.

For instance, the Patriots are looking for a certain linebacker/defensive end profile so a 6-1 MLB that weighs 224 pounds and can run like the wind might grade very high for a Tampa-2 team, but the Patriots look at that player as at best a 3rd down coverage backer or a special teams player that just happens to have a LB number on their shirt and therefore only worth a 5th rounder.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

My guess is that they trade up from 27 and down from 31. I also think the talent dropoff is right around 25, making 27 a pretty dangerous pick to hold on to. Getting into the early 20s would only cost their 3rd or 4th, which they can easily recoup with a trade down from 31.

Re: Trading out of the first round completely... hear me out
 

I could buy into this too.

At least you were able to keep up with all of the picks. One of these days Belichick is going to misplace one of the damn picks, we'll have so many.

So it'd be 4 second round picks this year, and 2 firsts and 2 seconds next year again?

I'm all over it.