1.) 2012 3rd v. 2011 4th isn't a Mankins thread issue.
2.) The Patriots need starting quality offensive linemen more than the Patriots need 2011 4th round picks, because Neal is older and about to retire, Koppen's injuries have slowed him, Connolly isn't starting quality and Light is both aging and coming into free agency. Without Mankins, the Patriots have only 1 starting offensive lineman that can definitely be looked at as part of the starting O-line of the "future".
3.) Even if the team needed picks, Mankins is worth far more than a 2011 4th round pick, and the Patriots are better off spending their time trying to bring him back into the fold.
4.) The Patriots just coughed up a 4th in 2011 (the higher 4th, in fact) for Deion Branch. Mankins is a far better player than Branch.
5.) 2011 is expected to be a very shallow draft, thus potentially diluting the strength of the 4th round pick.
None of this makes the O.P. any better.
Ahhh ok you think Mankins is going to play for us this year. Understood. Are we sure it's Belichick going down the meth path?