Should the Patriots Trade Out of the First Round?

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft finally starts tonight and the Patriots are slotted to pick 29th, at the bottom of the first round. For months we’ve been talking about how deep this years draft is so is it possible the Patriots will trade their pick? Apart from Jadaveon Clowney, there’s no one player in the draft that is a sure thing. Every player in most draft expert’s top 50 is a great player at their position. And on Friday, after all 32 teams have made a decision in the first round, no one will question any of the players chosen. At pick 29, the Patriots will have some options. Some of the key positions the Patriots still need to address are defensive line, tight end, wide receiver, and even running back. I’m still upset about the loss of LeGarrette Blount and think the Patriots need to find a big, physical RB to complement Ridley and Vereen but I digress. At pick 29, the best defensive lineman, tight end, wide receiver and maybe even running back in the draft will most likely be off the board. Could the Patriots put together a deal and trade up in the first round? The answer is no. They shouldn’t. If I know Bill Belichick, and sometimes I pretend I do, he has no reason to trade up in the 2014 draft. There’s no Perfect Patriot in this years draft and I think that’s a good thing. This year there is no clear standout for the next franchise player. No Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, no Chandler Jones. It’s nothing against the players in this years draft, the Patriots just don’t need any of them in the long term.

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The more likely option is that the Patriots will trade out of the first round to collect more middle-late round picks. And why not? With little talent left out in free agency, the draft is one of the last places NFL teams can go to fill weak spots. There will still be talented players left in rounds 2,3,4+ in this draft so as boring as it would be, the Patriots should trade out of the first round. However, Bill Belichick certainly doesn’t make all decisions ahead of the time. He can be quick to act and isn’t afraid to make a bold move. If the Patriots are on the clock at pick 29 and someone Belichick loves is still there and won’t last, they will take him. But only if there isn’t a better deal on the table. The Patriots have always made decisions using their brains, not their hearts. As much as it pains us, they will continue to do what’s best for the team, not the fans. This is most likely the reason why fans have so much faith in Belichick and the Kraft family. Because they have been making the right decisions for almost 20 years. They are responsible for turning a team that was the laughing stock of the league into a dynasty. Coincidentally enough, the only person who has more to do with the success of the team is a former 6th round pick. So you really can’t predict the best players 100% of the time anyway. So who the hell is Mel Kiper?