http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...creening_process_has_some_holes_in_it/?page=3
Movin' on up
If you like discussing draft trades, here's a logical one involving the Patriots. Baltimore holds the No. 13 pick, but with only two picks among the first 110 (none in the third round), it is likely to trade down for an extra selection unless Vince Young falls into its lap. The Patriots, with the 21st overall selection and a pair of third- and fourth-round choices (six picks among the first 118), are in a good position to move up to the Ravens' slot. ''From 21, you're not going to be able to get into the top 10, but you could move up a couple of spots, but then from that point on, you would have pretty good flexibility if you wanted to move forward, if you wanted to package picks together," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. The question is, whom would the Patriots move up for? Receiver Chad Jackson of Florida, the No. 1 wideout in the draft, could be had at 13. Would the Patriots want to pay an average of $2.5 million a year for a rookie receiver with Deion Branch's contract being renegotiated? Following the industry-accepted trade chart, New England would have to give up the higher of its two third-round picks (No. 75 overall) to jump into the top 15, ahead of the Broncos, who are interested in Jackson. The Ravens are looking to deal and might accept the offer, though by the chart the Patriots would be getting a slight edge in the trade. ''Yes, we could be enticed to move that pick before we get to the 13th," Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome said. ''Our trade-down scenario is always if there are three or four guys we really like, and we have an opportunity to move back and still get one of those guys, plus add an additional pick -- again, from an organizational standpoint -- that is the right thing to do." If the Patriots are even more adventurous, as Belichick explained, they could take the Ravens' pick and package it with their second third-rounder (86th overall) to jump into the top 10, where Texas defensive back Michael Huff might be an option. Anything could happen on Draft Day, but expect the Patriots to be involved in a couple of trades to get the players they most like. Jackson and Huff are on that list, but it'll take some maneuvering to get either one.
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Movin' on up
If you like discussing draft trades, here's a logical one involving the Patriots. Baltimore holds the No. 13 pick, but with only two picks among the first 110 (none in the third round), it is likely to trade down for an extra selection unless Vince Young falls into its lap. The Patriots, with the 21st overall selection and a pair of third- and fourth-round choices (six picks among the first 118), are in a good position to move up to the Ravens' slot. ''From 21, you're not going to be able to get into the top 10, but you could move up a couple of spots, but then from that point on, you would have pretty good flexibility if you wanted to move forward, if you wanted to package picks together," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. The question is, whom would the Patriots move up for? Receiver Chad Jackson of Florida, the No. 1 wideout in the draft, could be had at 13. Would the Patriots want to pay an average of $2.5 million a year for a rookie receiver with Deion Branch's contract being renegotiated? Following the industry-accepted trade chart, New England would have to give up the higher of its two third-round picks (No. 75 overall) to jump into the top 15, ahead of the Broncos, who are interested in Jackson. The Ravens are looking to deal and might accept the offer, though by the chart the Patriots would be getting a slight edge in the trade. ''Yes, we could be enticed to move that pick before we get to the 13th," Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome said. ''Our trade-down scenario is always if there are three or four guys we really like, and we have an opportunity to move back and still get one of those guys, plus add an additional pick -- again, from an organizational standpoint -- that is the right thing to do." If the Patriots are even more adventurous, as Belichick explained, they could take the Ravens' pick and package it with their second third-rounder (86th overall) to jump into the top 10, where Texas defensive back Michael Huff might be an option. Anything could happen on Draft Day, but expect the Patriots to be involved in a couple of trades to get the players they most like. Jackson and Huff are on that list, but it'll take some maneuvering to get either one.
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