A different look at the Patriots' wheeling and dealing in the 2018 draft

[ctpatsfan77]

Here's how the Pats started:

23 31 | 43 63 | 95 | x | x | 198 210 | 219

They kept their first two picks, and then the fireworks started. First they traded 95 for Trent Brown and 143.

23 31 | 43 63 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 198 210 | 219

Then they traded 43 for 51 and 117:

23 31 | 51 63 | [Brown] | 117 | 143 | 198 210 | 219

Then 51 for 105 and Chicago's 2nd in 2019:

23 31 | 63 | [Brown] | 105 117 | 143 | 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2

Then, for once, they traded up, 63 and 117 for 56:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | 105 | 143 | 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2

To start Day 3, the Pats decided 105 wasn't worth it, and went for 114 and 178:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | 114 | 143 | 178 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2

Then they decided the fourth round wasn't worth it, and picked up Detroit's 3rd in 2019:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 178 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3

They then actually made two picks in a row before trading 198 for two sevenths:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 178 210 | 219 233 243 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3

Finally, because the Iggles are weird, they traded two sevenths to get 233:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 178 210 | 219 243 250 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3, PHI 7

So, to sum up:

43 + 63 + 95 + 198

becomes:

56 + [Brown] + 143 + 178 + 243 + 250 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3, PHI 7

 

[A Defiant Goose]

And to also sum it up our defense will be rated on Miles Per Game as opposed to yards per game to keep the number from extending into the other defensive statistic columns

Edit: but at least we'll be top 10 in PPG

 

[BelichickFan]

And to also sum it up our defense will be rated on Miles Per Game as opposed to yards per game to keep the number from extending into the other defensive statistic columns

Edit: but at least we'll be top 10 in PPG

We added Shelton. Get Hightower back. Got two LB who were statistically good against the run.

You're wrong.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

We added Shelton. Get Hightower back. Got two LB who were statistically good against the run.

You're wrong.

If Hightower plays every game this season I'll eat my shorts

 

[PP2]

Here's how the Pats started:

23 31 | 43 63 | 95 | x | x | 198 210 | 219

They kept their first two picks, and then the fireworks started. First they traded 95 for Trent Brown and 143.

23 31 | 43 63 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 198 210 | 219

Then they traded 43 for 51 and 117:

23 31 | 51 63 | [Brown] | 117 | 143 | 198 210 | 219

Then 51 for 105 and Chicago's 2nd in 2019:

23 31 | 63 | [Brown] | 105 117 | 143 | 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2

Then, for once, they traded up, 63 and 117 for 56:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | 105 | 143 | 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2

To start Day 3, the Pats decided 105 wasn't worth it, and went for 114 and 178:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | 114 | 143 | 178 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2

Then they decided the fourth round wasn't worth it, and picked up Detroit's 3rd in 2019:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 178 198 210 | 219 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3

They then actually made two picks in a row before trading 198 for two sevenths:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 178 210 | 219 233 243 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3

Finally, because the Iggles are weird, they traded two sevenths to get 233:

23 31 | 56 | [Brown] | x | 143 | 178 210 | 219 243 250 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3, PHI 7

So, to sum up:

43 + 63 + 95 + 198

becomes:

56 + [Brown] + 143 + 178 + 243 + 250 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3, PHI 7

Hats off to you for keeping track of everything. Went right over my head after the first 2-3 transactions.

 

[holyredeemer]

You're absolutely right. I absolutely understand why people get frustrated and upset while watching the draft. It can be an exhausting process as a fan. I was disappointed when Rudolph went to the Steelers, pissed that Chubb went to the Broncos (I knew we wouldnt get him, but wish he didn't go to an organization I hate), I was really hopeful we would've taken a shot on Griffin. I liked Sutton, I liked Hubbard. So, I get it. But I can also see the big picture. The draft is just one part of the puzzle. Its a huge crap shoot of assets. BB treats it as such.

People get all wound up and say a bunch of stupid ****, and take a huge dump all over this franchise all the while completely ignoring any positives as well. Those players we grabbed, and the assets we secured for the future are going to contribute to this team THIS YEAR in ways we still don't even know yet. Caserio in his post draft conference made a comment about how we are going to be talking about players later this year on the team that are going to have an impact that we don't even know about yet.

It's a process, and it takes time. We will no doubt see some more trades, and those picks we secured in this draft could go towards that, or players we picked this year will make other players expendable that can go towards that. This team for the majority of Bills reign has always gone into the season pretty damn well stocked. Last years team was incredibly stocked and the injuries we suffered to key players over and over and over barely slowed us down. That's a direct testament to how well our FO builds their roster.

I apologize for the wall of words.

 

[VJCPatriot]

In other words BB turned 4 assets (draft picks) into 9 assets, 6 players and 3 future draft picks. The Patriots more than doubled their assets today.

So if you can't appreciate that, well, I don't know what to tell you except that the draft is a lottery, when you have more tickets, you get a better total chance to win.

It isn't as sexy as fixating on a name touted by Mel Kiper, but over time, the numbers win out.

 

[mgteich]

Here's how the Pats started:

23 31 | 43 63 | 95 | x | x | 198 210 | 219


So, to sum up:

43 + 63 + 95 + 198

becomes:

56 + [Brown] + 143 + 178 + 243 + 250 + 2019 CHI 2, DET 3, PHI 7

We might have used 43, 63 and 95 for Dawson, a higher 2nd and 3rd in 2019, and then traded 198 for Brown.

In addition, Belichick got Bentley, Sam, Berrios, Etling, Crosson, and Izzo. Maybe all the maneuvering won't help much. But 6 bodies should provide some competition at least, plus a roster player or two, and a PS player.

 

[n6249c]

Very useful and interesting perspective. I took it and played around with it a bit, to come up with this:

Start: 23 31 ; 43 63 ; 95 ; x ; x ; 198 210 ; 219 (8 picks)

End: 10 players plus three 2019 picks.

OL Isaiah Wynn (23)
RB Sony Michel (31)
CB Duke Dawson (56)
OT Trent Brown (via trade of 95)
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (143)
LB Christian Sam (178)
WR Braxton Berrios (210)
QB Danny Etling (219)
CB Keion Crossen (243)
TE Ryan Izzo (250)

+ 2019 CHI 2, DET 3, PHI 7

Given that even first round picks are far from a sure thing this seems like we may have come out of the draft with more value than we had to start.

BB the economist is killing NFL parity.

 

[supafly]

Interesting that we sacrificed making a selection from the 2nd round through the 5th, per our conversation the other day. This is now the 5th time that I know of where Belichick has such a gap, so it’s certainly not uncommon.

 

[Joker]

Knew where this was going as soon as I saw the first 2nd round trade....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The draft is Patriocket science...we have no chance of understanding beforehand what this staff has planned until they pick. Now post draft and veteran cuts? THAT is when you start to see the body they're constructing.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Interesting that we sacrificed making a selection from the 2nd round through the 5th, per our conversation the other day. This is now the 5th time that I know of where Belichick has such a gap, so it’s certainly not uncommon.

What gets in his grill is not the actuality of going 100 picks without taking a player. He's perfectly fine with saying "f—k these options, I'm trading." He just wants the ability to make that choice on draft day.

 

[supafly]

What gets in his grill is not the actuality of going 100 picks without taking a player. He's perfectly fine with saying "f—k these options, I'm trading." He just wants the ability to make that choice on draft day.

I didn’t see much of an issue with the lack of a 4th and 5th, but that was due to the top heavy 5 in the first 95 selections, and then multiples in the late rounds.

Of course, I was quite wrong, based on what he did. I will say that I fully expected one of the first five to be traded for a high pick next year, so that was about the only thing that I correctly projected. I didn’t even bother doing a mock this year. I’ve finally learned.

 

[n6249c]

What gets in his grill is not the actuality of going 100 picks without taking a player. He's perfectly fine with saying "f—k these options, I'm trading." He just wants the ability to make that choice on draft day.

I think he plays it to exploit teams that are desperate to get specific guys to plug roster holes that they have to fill with cheap rookies because of poor cap management that forces them to let their fifth year guys go when their cheap rookie deals expire. So BB trades down and multiplies picks to complement the JAG journeyman free agents he uses to build depth without depending on the draft. Ends up with more picks and that gives him more chances to find a diamond in the rough. Like an under appreciated QB prospect in round six. Or seven.