Trade #27 for '12 #2 (henceforth referred to as NEW #2A) and '13 #1....expect a playoff caliber team to reach here)
Trade #31 for '12 #2 (henceforth referred to as NEW #2B) and '13 #2....Don't see another team playing the BB game of one #1 for a #1 and a #2....so BB has to work a little harder........This trade is with a team with a high #2.
Reset Pats draft order (3 Rounds)
2012.....New #2A, #48, New #2B, #63, #95
2013..Pats assigned picks rds 1-7 plus New #1, New #2
2012 Draft continued
Trade NEW #2B for '13 #1 plus a '12 #4
Trade #48 for a '13 #1
Trade NEW #2A for '13 #2 plus a '12 #3
Trade #63 for '13 #2
Reset Pats draft order
2012...New #3, #95, New #4, #127 (Approx)
2013....Pats assigned picks rds 1-7, 3 New #1s, 3 New #2s, 1 New #3, 1 New #4
Summary of total picks for 2013:
4 #1s
4 #2s
2 #3s
2 #4s
1 #5
1 #6
1 #7
2013 Draft...rinse and repeat
Point of this exercise: Sacrificing one draft under the Belichick draft system can set up a franchise for decades of endless draft bounty.
Why now: Brady's age, surplus cap space.....free agent vets come on board now capable of winning now.
The BB legacy: Imagine the goodwill BB will receive when he finally hands over the reigns (and 20 extra draft picks) to his disciples
Of course this won't happen now....but in the near future, when Brady fades and BB sees into the future and understands it may be time to rebuild....it shouldn't take too long...as long as he has a few extra chips ready to roll over....
Conclusion....the trade down system prevails once again in '12. Owning flexibility is just too valuable to relinqush...despite our pleas for that extra premium player now.....We want to be given that sushi grade tuna to eat now...but BB would rather be the fisherman providing endless feasts of cod and bluefish
With a little patience...BB could set up the Patriots with Deluxe Premium Sushi Platters every year.