Patriots: 3 draft trades that could change NE’s first round
By Mike Luciano
No. 1: Miami moves up ahead of No. 15
The Dolphins are a true wild card when it comes to projecting them for next year. They did just narrowly miss the playoffs despite rotating Ryan Fitzpatrick and No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa in and out of the lineup, but it could be hard to sustain that success given the improved AFC East.
If Miami wants to trade up in order to secure some of “their guys,” the various trades they have made over the years make them uniquely qualified to offer a ton of picks in order to secure another elite selection. Stealing players from New England is one thing, but doing so and preventing those players from landing in the division is another.
The Patriots could worry about the Dolphins on NFL Draft Day.
While the Buffalo Bills look ready to do some damage, there are some questions about Josh Allen sustaining his production from last year. The Jets have a nice foundation, even if they are a year or two away, and Miami looks ready to potentially be a force in the division for years to come behind Tagovailoa.
The Patriots trading up is as much a preventative measure as it is an offensive one. The Patriots, who are in a win-now mindset, can’t afford to let one of their main competitors potentially add the skill position player that could’ve been the difference between New England making the playoffs and watching the tournament at home on TV.
