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I'm NOT suggesting that the Pats will trade up in this draft - quite possibly the opposite. There is a lot of value deep in this draft. BUT every year some elite prospects fall a bit in the 1st round, and if BB saw someone he wanted badly I could see trading up with last year's partner, New Orleans.
Why? New Orleans is picking #14 in the 1st. They have no 2nd round (to the Giants for Jeremy Shockey), and I'm not sure about their 3rd round as well (they owe the Jets for Jonathan Vilma - please clarify if anyone knows exactly what). They have major needs at LB and DB on defense and a superbowl caliber offense. They would love to get back into the 1st day, or at least pick up additional picks. At #23 (or potentially as high as #19, see below) they would likely still have several attractive DB or LB options.
I could see BB trading up from #23 to #14. With 2 picks in the 2nd round, #57 would be pretty close to equal value. The Jets went from #25 to #14 in 2007 for #59 and #164. If we franchised Cassel and traded him to TB for #19 + conditional 2010 picks then moving from #19 to #14 would be even easier, with #86 being close to equal value. Picking at 14 could land an elite player who falls (BJ Raji, Aaron Curry, or Malcolm Jenkins - all unlikely but possible; one of the top OTs; or Orapko/Brown if we wanted to go after a top pass rusher). Last year it would have given us a shot at DRC or Brandon Albert. Plus, #14 is right in the "sweet spot" of the 1st round where the rookie salary is not outrageous and the talent is often identical to top 10. With Mayo's success this year, maybe BB would like the idea of getting a top talent who might be more able to step in and contribute.
Again, not saying it's likely, but something to consider.
Why? New Orleans is picking #14 in the 1st. They have no 2nd round (to the Giants for Jeremy Shockey), and I'm not sure about their 3rd round as well (they owe the Jets for Jonathan Vilma - please clarify if anyone knows exactly what). They have major needs at LB and DB on defense and a superbowl caliber offense. They would love to get back into the 1st day, or at least pick up additional picks. At #23 (or potentially as high as #19, see below) they would likely still have several attractive DB or LB options.
I could see BB trading up from #23 to #14. With 2 picks in the 2nd round, #57 would be pretty close to equal value. The Jets went from #25 to #14 in 2007 for #59 and #164. If we franchised Cassel and traded him to TB for #19 + conditional 2010 picks then moving from #19 to #14 would be even easier, with #86 being close to equal value. Picking at 14 could land an elite player who falls (BJ Raji, Aaron Curry, or Malcolm Jenkins - all unlikely but possible; one of the top OTs; or Orapko/Brown if we wanted to go after a top pass rusher). Last year it would have given us a shot at DRC or Brandon Albert. Plus, #14 is right in the "sweet spot" of the 1st round where the rookie salary is not outrageous and the talent is often identical to top 10. With Mayo's success this year, maybe BB would like the idea of getting a top talent who might be more able to step in and contribute.
Again, not saying it's likely, but something to consider.