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WalterFootball.com: NFL Draft Rumor Mill
Patriots Have Many Options on Draft Day
Published April 17, 2012
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell
If there is one team that is likely to be moving around on Draft Day it's obviously the New England Patriots. Every year, the Patriots deftly move up and down the draft board and stockpile picks. Through trades with the Raiders and Saints, New England enters the 2012 NFL Draft with four picks in the top 60 selections. They have two first-round and two second-round selections. There is no doubt that New England is sure to be moving around again.
If the Patriots wanted to, they could climb high in the first round. If they packaged their two first-round picks together (Nos. 27 and 31), they could move up to the 10th- or 11th overall-pick according to the draft trade chart. Buffalo and Kansas City sit at 10 and 11, respectively. New England could be interested in South Carolina outside linebacker/defensive end Melvin Ingram if he is available, as he would be an instant upgrade as a pass-rusher. The Patriots could also target a potential five-technique defensive end like Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox or North Carolina's Quinton Coples. Maybe they would be intrigued by Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe, as Vince Wilfork is aging.
While all of those players could appeal to New England. The Patriots always seem to be more willing to move down and add more picks rather than move up and sacrifice players.
The most likely move for New England would be to trade away one of its first-round picks. In speaking with one well-informed league source, they believe that the Patriots will take a player with the 27th-overall pick and move down from 31. They will exploit a player falling lower than expected and possibly pick up a 2013 first-rounder for a team that wants to jump back into the first round.
Also keep in mind that New England doesn't have a fifth-round pick, so it wouldn't be a shock if it looks to add one and be in position for a player in case someone it likes falls into that range.