Patriots trade down as expected

The Patriots traded the 28th selection in the draft to the 49ers who selected OT Joe Staley. In return, the Patriots get the 49ers fourth round pick this year and San Francisco’s first round pick in 2008. Next year’s draft is expected to be stronger and the Pats will have two first round picks to play around with. It’s just funny to me that the other teams in the AFC East have no idea what they’re doing and the Patriots keep pulling off solid deals. Linebacker David Harris and cornerback Chris Houston are still on the board, so the Patriots could still trade back up into Round 2. However, getting a first round pick in 2008 was a good move by the Patriots. The only negative is, where are the linebackers? Sooner or later the Patriots need to add some depth at linebacker or they’ll be playing with fire if Tedy Bruschi or Mike Vrabel gets hurt.

13 Responses to “Patriots trade down as expected”

  1. Jameros Says:

    I certainly hope the Pats are able to trade into round 2 to get Harris or Poz, if they’re still there at an agreeable spot. Picking Zak DeOssie later in the draft would be great too.

  2. Brady Says:

    I have mixed feelings about this trade. I like the fact that we get another first round pick. The first round pick could be a top ten pick. Imagine the talent we could get with that pick. On the other hand we didn’t get a second round pick. We didn’t even get a 3rd. This years linebacker class is very thin and I doubt we will be able to pick up a decent linebacker by the fourth round. I still say we trade up into the late 2nd/early 3rd.

  3. Boxboro Ben Says:

    Ed Hartwell? Al Wilson? Monty Beisel (just kidding)? I’m a bit nervous about this LB’ing core, but I’m very excited to get another 1st rounder next season, especially from a middle of the pack team with the 49ers. But still, where are these LB’s going to come from. I know they signed “Mr. Versatile” Adalius Thomas, but he can’t play all four spots at once.

  4. Brent Says:

    Listening to you guys argue at PFW in Progress over the trade has been interesting to say the least!

    The Pats always find value in the 2nd-4th rounds so they can still move around into the 2nd or early 3rd to pick good talent.

    They can still pick up DE/OLB Brian Robison (Texas) and ILB Desmond Bishop (California) or even OLB Zak DeOssie (Brown).

    There is still value out there!

    IN BILL WE TRUST

  5. Ethan Says:

    What makes this trade less then stellar was the trade for Welker. If we still had that second, I would raving about this trade. But after giving a second and seventh for a slot reciever, makes it a bit more troubling.

    Eventually I want to win now. But I guess we have to hope a vet is available to add to the LB corp.

  6. Brady Says:

    That is right in Bill we trust.

  7. George Says:

    Tom, Harris is still on the board, and so are other quality players. The depth at DE where a likely LB will come from, it’s pretty good. So we gave up Staley, we got another 1st for next year.
    BB must have seen a flaw in this area of the draft! There are some real good players left in the Patriots mold. Zak DeOssie, Brian Robison, Stewart Bradley, Dallas Sartz.
    Woodley is projected at the top of the third. I’m sure they have enough ammo to get up to 70’s . Anyway hang in there guys, its too early to give up!

  8. RichD - Paris Says:

    I was a bit disappointed they did not make the pick, but obviously they did not like the talent on the board. It will be interesting to see whether there is a plan to get a LB in the draft, trade, or perhaps sign another free agent. I only time will tell.

  9. Rosemary Says:

    Ah, there’s the Casale negativity I’ve been waiting for. Can’t wait to hear the bashing that Tom will dish out next Wednesday. I’ll predict right now that he gives the Pats a D while the media concensus is a B; not that any of that matters…

  10. tomcasale Says:

    Saying the Pats have little depth at LB isn’t being neagtive, it’s stating a fact. Was saying I love the Meriweather pick and the Patriots made a great trade also being negative? Just wondering.

  11. AaronBrown Says:

    The Patriots picked up the best LB available when they signed AT in free agency. Yes the position needs improvement, but they will sign another veteran(s) prior to camp. Don’t get caught up in the excitement of the draft. Get caught up in the excitement of the draft and free agency. The team will be better on the field next year. The additional first round pick in 2008 give the team a lot of flexibility with contracts like Samuels being unresolved. GO PATS!

  12. LenLaPadula Says:

    Why aren’t more people talking about Junior Seau? I know he is hardly a long term solution, but the guy was a tank last year. We were 2nd in the league stopping the run until he was injured. I am sure he still has another year in him.
    Also, I am surprised about the Meriweather pick. I know Rodney is a gifted physical safety, but I thought for the most part safeties were just players that couldn’t quite cut it at corner; and Meriweather doesn’t have the size to be a Rodney Harrison. It seems like we have pretty good depth at corner and safety; I would have rather seen us pick up Harris ILB since Vrabel is first an outside linebacker. Anyway, I am sure if I knew what Bellichick knows, I would have done the same thing, so I am excited to see the results. However, perhaps you can help my understanding a bit.

  13. travis redekopp Says:

    I sure can’t. . . . I’m just going to watch super bowl XLII. What are you going to do Super bowl sunday?

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