Is it time for the Patriots to trade up in the first round of the NFL Draft?

With a desperate need for playmakers on offense, it’s time for the New England Patriots to trade up in the first round to get a weapon.

Sitting at the 23rd pick, a handful of mock drafts have the New England Patriots taking an edge rusher, such as A.J. Epenesa or Yetur Gross-Matos.

While the Patriots are in need of a quality defensive end, serious consideration should be put into a move up in the first round to snag a player with a higher overall ceiling.

While he doesn’t do it all that often, Bill Belichick has traded up within the first round four times in his Patriots tenure — most recently in 2012.

Obviously it takes two to tango though, so let’s first look at who could be willing to trade down.

The Lions at No. 3 are a popular pick to trade down, but if they do, the pick will go to a team who will select Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. As cool as it would be to see Tua in a Pats jersey next year, it’s not going to happen. Let’s move on.

The Jets at No. 11 could look to move down to get more picks in the draft. It’s highly doubtful that Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert falls past the Chargers at No. 6 or the Jaguars at No. 9, but if he’s still there at No. 11, I think the Patriots could be one team chomping at the bit to move up and take the Ducks QB.

Even if Herbert is gone by the 11th pick, this will likely be early enough for the Pats to take their pick at any of the wide receivers in this extremely deep class. The question is: Are there any prospects that Belichick is in love with enough to make the move up to No. 11?

A smaller jump up to snag one of the lower-ranked first-round receivers such as Tee Higgins or Justin Jefferson is also welcome. Moving up four or five spots is much less costly, and if Belichick falls in love with someone who he doesn’t think will fall to the 23rd pick, expect a trade up in the first round for New England.