While being interviewed on NFL Network following being named the AP NFL Coach of the Year, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talked with NFL Network's Mike Lombardi about his team's picks, and what he might do with three picks in the top 33. Belichick responded, transcribed courtesy of ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss:
"We've already had a couple offers on them. We'll see what happens. We'll do whatever we can to improve the team, whether that's move up, move down, or stay where we are, and just try to add more players and more depth to our roster."
With so many picks, and only so many available roster spots, there's no question that NFL teams are inquiring on the Patriots top three picks. Of course, I don't expect the Patriots to make any moves until draft weekend, but it's interesting nonetheless.
The pick that interests me most in terms of trades is #33. Last year, Bill Belichick spoke about the day between rounds one and two, and the trade dynamics that could be in play at the top of round two. With the Patriots having the 1st overall pick of the "second first round," there certainly should be trade options available. The offers could get especially intriguing should a top quarterback, such as Washington's Jake Locker, slip to that second round. A quarterback needy team may give up a lot of ammo for that 33rd pick to ensure that they get Locker or another quarterback in the fold.
I could also see the Patriots being very aggressive and moving up in the draft, considering all of the ammo they have. According to draft value charts, packaging the 17th and 60th pick could move the Patriots up to the 11th spot. The 17th and 33rd pick could get the Patriots up to the 6th or 7th spot.
Whatever the Patriots do in April, they certainly will have plenty of options to move around the draft board.