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You seem to realize that Belichick drafts safeties a year before they are absolutely needed. After all, safeties need a year to develop. Heck, Chung was a fine pick and is still developing. To be clear, one of Meriweather and Sanders is likely to be gone after the season (or even when trading starts). We absolutely NEEDED a safety, more than any other defensive position.
That Dowling might be able to play nickel or dime back this year only makes his pick that much better.
That Dowling might be able to play nickel or dime back this year only makes his pick that much better.
Look at the Pats' roster at DB, though:
Leigh Bodden [2013]
James Sanders [2011]
Brandon Meriweather [2011]
Jarrod Page [2011]
Jonathan Wilhite [2011]
Darius Butler [2012]
Patrick Chung [2012]
Josh Barrett [2012]
Kyle Arrington [2011]
Sergio Brown [2013]
For better or worse, the Pats liked Dowling enough that they felt taking him at 33 was better than whatever they could have gotten from a trade.
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