Patriots: What would a trade with the Panthers for the No. 8 overall pick look like?
The New England Patriots trading up in the NFL Draft, from a historical standpoint, is fairly unlikely. The organization doing so to get into the top-five is even more unlikely, given the expected prohibitive cost.
But what about into the top-10, specifically the No. 8 overall selection? It’s potentially on the table.
According to the latest reports, the Carolina Panthers have “had conversations with other teams about trading back in the draft.” They hold that pick while the Pats sit at No. 15.
We’ve seen mocks that had New England moving up to No. 10 in a deal with the Dallas Cowboys and parting with next year’s first-rounder. Moving up to eight may cost a bit more, but it could be in Bill Belichick’s best interest.
Carolina Panthers have had conversations with other teams about potentially trading back in the draft from pick No. 8, per source. There are all sorts of ongoing trade conversations between teams, let’s see what next week brings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2021
Jumping seven spots still might not be enough to snag one of the top quarterback prospects, which is what the Patriots need most, but it certainly puts them in a better position should a team ahead of them change course, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Time and time again, we’re surprised on draft night.
But let’s just say all of Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Mac Jones and Trey Lance are all off the board by the No. 8 pick (or a combination of the prospects the Patriots had favored over whomever their fifth-ranked prospect was). That’s still OK. Belichick can get his hands on an elite talent. And that above price of a first-round pick and more might not even be what it takes.
Just look back at the Titans-Browns first-round trade back in 2016, which featured Tennessee moving up to No. 8 from No. 15.
In 2016 the 8th overall pick and the 176th picks were traded by the Titans to the Browns for the 15th overall pick, 76th and a 2017 second-round pick. https://t.co/QNM5n9ak6U
— Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 12,198,438 (@patscap) April 20, 2021
To move up those seven spots, all it cost the Titans was a third-round pick that year and a second-rounder the following year. With all of the assets the Patriots boast in 2021, that’s hardly a loss. And we all know Belichick can recoup a second-rounder with some of his wizardry — he does it with mid-round selections all the time.
Anyway, on top of the cost (based on the last instance of this exact trade) being reasonable, the Pats could boost their wide receiving corps with Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, which is a near-flawless Plan B. Why wait around at No. 15 for the rest of the teams ahead of them to dictate who they might be able to select? Part with some unneeded assets and put it in your control as best you can.
Given the superior talent in this year’s draft, it might not be that cheap as the 2016 trade we just referenced, but if it means giving up a bit more to land a surefire Day 1 starter who can change the complexion of the offense, it simply has to be done.
