Yesterday, we asked the question, amongst others, did the Patriots give up too much for Aqib Talib? Some in the media have thought “yes” – that Talib was already on the outs in Tampa, and that the Patriots could have had him for virtually nothing. In my opinion, a fourth round pick is a necessary gamble considering the potential upside that Talib brings. ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss couldn’t agree more with that sentiment.
Reiss writes that Talib makes the Patriots a more talented team and that he “addresses the Patriots' most glaring need, one created by their own doing and something that is significant enough to stand in the way of their championship hopes.”
Reiss then poses the question, as we did yesterday, if the price of a fourth round pick was worth it. Reiss, like myself and many other fans, believes the trade represented good value for both teams:
A 2013 fourth-round draft choice represents good value for both teams -- the building-for-the-future Buccaneers weren't going to re-sign Talib, so they get something in return for a player who wasn't part of their future; the young but championship-contending Patriots can spare a midrounder (they've selected 40 players in the past four drafts).
Reiss continues:
And that's really what this trade comes down to for the Patriots. On talent alone, it's a no-brainer. On compensation, it's in line with what the team has done in the past. On addressing a major need, it makes complete sense.
Sometimes, trades like these don’t work out. Sometimes they do. But when all is said and done, and Talib doesn’t work out for the Patriots, will losing a fourth round pick really cripple the team? I highly doubt it.