Will the Patriots Opt to Trade Down in this Year's Draft?

As has been made evident in many previous draft years, Belichick values the quantity over quality in most cases. The general consensus this year is that the Patriots will once again look to trade down in the draft in order to gain more picks. Taking more picks in lower rounds adds the quantity, but does it give you that game changing player?

When the Patriots traded for Ocho Cinco they gave up a sixth-rounder in this year’s draft. When they traded for Albert Haynesworth, the Patriots gave up a fifth rounder in this year’s draft. Finally, when they traded for Talib they gave up a fourth-rounder to make it so they only have 5. In most of the cases it didn’t work out at all, but does this point to a mismanaging by the Patriots when it comes to grabbing young talent?

Time after time it has been said that Brady’s window is closing; I’ve been hearing that for years now so do we blame them for trading picks to gain proven veterans or do we not by justifying these trades saying “well they were just trying to win fast.” Truth be told, rookies require time and it is very rare that a rookie comes in and does anything of recognition, especially on defense. I for one will say it was a screw up just because of the way the chips fell. Ocho was a disaster and so was Haynesworth, so giving up picks turned out to be a bad move.

Belichick loves that aspect of having a bunch of picks perhaps having knowledge of an aspect of his job that he lacks in. In all of Belichick’s draft history, he has never had less than six picks in any draft, ever. Also, he has accrued ten draft picks on six different occasions. So what does all this mean? It means that you shouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots opt to trade down tomorrow once or even multiple times.

Josh Brown
@TitleTownTalkSB