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April 25, 2007
Top draft deals
The Patriots are interested in trading out of the first round if the opportunity presents itself in this weekend's NFL draft. The interest in a trade involving draft picks for draft picks is not surprising given the team's history.
Since vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli and head coach Bill Belichick teamed up to run the Patriots' football operation in 2000, they have made 21 trades involving solely picks as the draft was taking place. The 2001 and 2003 drafts marked the high points, with six pick-for-pick deals apiece during the draft.
Here is one opinion of the team's top 6 deals among those 21:
Patriots ship their second first-round pick (19) to Baltimore for a 2003 second-round pick and a 2004 first-round pick. The Patriots ultimately end up with Eugene Wilson and Vince Wilfork in the exchange. The Ravens draft quarterback Kyle Boller.
Patriots trade their 2001 second-round pick (50) and a 2001 sixth-round pick to Detroit (173) to move up two spots in the 2001 second round. The Patriots draft Matt Light and Light later reveals he was on the phone with the Jets, who were prepared to draft him at No. 49. The Lions draft center Dominic Raiola and linebacker Jason Glenn. The Jets took running back Lamont Jordan at 49.
Needing to jump one spot in the first round to ensure they would get the player they wanted most, the Patriots trade their 2003 first-round pick (14) and a 2003 sixth-rounder (193) to the Bears for their 2003-first-rounder (13). The Patriots select Ty Warren, while the Bears land Michael Haynes (now with the Jets) in the first round, and did not pick in the 193rd spot, as that pick was likely part of another deal.
Patriots acquire Denver's 2003 fourth-round pick (120) for a 2003 fourth-rounder (128) and 2003 fifth-rounder (157). The team picks cornerback Asante Samuel, while the Broncos draft defensive end Bryant McNeal and center Ben Claxton.
Patriots trade a 2003 third-round pick (78) to the Dolphins for their 2004 second-round pick (56). The Patriots end up trading the 2004 second-round pick to the Bengals for running back Corey Dillon. The Dolphins take center Wade Smith.
Patriots trade a 2005 sixth-round pick (175) to Oakland for a 2005 seventh-round pick (230) and 2006 fifth-round pick (136). The Patriots wind up with quarterback Matt Cassel and offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan. The Raiders draft defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne.
