Apparently King didn't like the Pat's draft:
Abram Elam key to New York Jets-Cleveland Browns NFL draft deal - Peter King - SI.com
A few things:
1.) If was well publicized that the Pats looked to get into the top 10 (King reported it and may be feeling burned because his scoop didn't coem true), but either they couldn't, the player they were targetting were gone, or they weren't trying that hard. All the other reports said the Pats didn't like the quality of players in the late first round. He told the NFL Network that he didn't like the draft. So why wouldn't he trade down.
2.) My guess is that Patrick Chung is starting over Sanders by the end of the year. I don't remember who said it, but someone on the TV this weekend said he could be the next Troy Polumalu. Granted that is setting high expectations, but I don't think the Pats feel that James Sanders is the guy they want starting at SS for the next 5 years and they always like to have three solid safeties.
3.) Considering how both ESPN and the NFL Network seemed to be gushing over the Patriots picks and even scanning the message boards of our league competitor's site were praising most of the Pats' second round picks, I really doubt the picks were met with shrugs around the league.
I think King was expecting the Pats to make a huge splash in this draft by trading into the top 10 and possibly trading into the first round for a second time. When the Pats clearly showed they weren't thrilled with this draft, I think King was shocked. That is the only thing I can think of because he seems to mischaracterize several things.