2023 NFL Draft ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for the New England Patriots

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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays the text ‘ON THE CLOCK’ for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT /

DON’T

Trade out of the first round

Belichick is known for trading back or even trading out of the first round over the years, but this is not the year to do that.

Trading back? Sure, get some more picks. Trading out completely? Not a good idea.

New England has so many holes that must be addressed that trading entirely out of the first round would not be ideal.

Because some of their most significant needs (cornerback and offensive tackle) happen to have some of the best prospects available in the first round, Belichick and co. should take advantage of their prime position at 14 and fill one of them those needs ASAP.

Of course, precedence is put on being a first-round talent, and often it’s not always warranted. So if the Patriots were to take good players in a later round, it doesn’t negate the potential production they could bring to the team, nor does it determine their fitness within the team.

But who doesn’t want to see them get a highly-touted player on night one?

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