It depends entirely on how the first 20 picks pan out. Two years ago, many people were saying we should trade down with 21. Then Wilfork slipped to us, and we struck gold.PATSNUTme said:This is not a theory - it's an observation. I haven't made that observation before.
So, tell us. Who should the Patriots take at #21 or should they look to trade up or down? Providing they can find a willing trading partner.
If guys like Manny Lawson, Bobby Carpenter, all of the RBs that could be good value there, etc. are all gone by 21 - then yes, we should trade down. But, there are a few people who would be worth picking at 21 (or trading down a few picks, depending on who's on the board). If Manny Lawson is there, many would say there's no question - we should take him. He's head and shoulders above all of the LBs who will be in the 2nd round.
If he's gone, but guys like Greenway and Carpenter are still on the board - it might be worth trading down a few picks, aiming to still get Carpenter (since Greenway will likely be more appealing to most teams), but get a pick to use to move up further in the 2nd round to try to get Addai or one of the other RBs who may be there in the early 2nd.
At this point it's all speculation, since we don't know how the first 20 picks will go. Without knowing who will still be there at 21, we can't say it does or doesn't make more sense to trade down.