Trading places: On New England’s recent draft moves

By Os Davis  |   Friday, June 13, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

New England Patriots
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It takes three years of hindsight, runs the cliché, in order to properly judge the success of an NFL team’s draft performance in a given year. So what’s the statute of limitations on judging draft trades? There isn’t one? Fantastic!

During a draft in which a record 34 trades were made, the New England Patriots cemented their reputation as the only team capable of making more moves than yours truly playing a round of drunken Madden. (And Bill Belichick & Co.’s machinations and maneuverings are just marginally less confusing than those of Os Davis’ Las Vegas Invaders.) Has any non-virtual team ever been this freewheeling with first- and second-round draft selections?

New England’s presumed success in trading draft picks – idealized in the Randy Moss acquisition last year – gives the football world just one more reason to despise the Pats.

With the distraction of the NBA Finals in the background, featuring beneficiaries of the two biggest snow jobs in sports since Babe Ruth was traded for tickets to “Cats,” thoughts turned to the Patriots’ perceived success on draft weekend. But how have they fared recently? A brief look at the major draft deals of recent years.

2006: New England trades Nos. 52 and 75 overall to the Green Bay Packers for overall No. 36. Well, this one didn’t turn out so great for the Patriots. While the Pack snagged WR Greg Jennings and OL Jason Spitz, respectively, New England had made this trade to snatch up … Chad Jackson.

In fact, this trade makes for a nice encapsulation of the simultaneously frustrating and fascinating aspects of the NFL draft. At the time, Jackson was “thought by many to be the best wide receiver in the draft” and “More help for Tom Brady.” Though Cheeseheads may have been a bit disappointed in 2006 that the Packers didn’t land Jackson, Green Bay had to be cheered by landing a terrific pass catcher and a steal for the offensive line. Everyone wins, right?

Well, it’s about speculation, isn't it? The stunningly young Jackson (who was 20 at the time) ended up catching 13 passes and returning three punts – for the season, mind you – while Reche Caldwell played alpha dog. In 2007, Jackson spent the great majority of the season physically unable to perform. That “more help for Brady” would have to wait.

Meanwhile on the Frozen Tundra, Jennings and Spitz were contributors from Day 1 and both are at the top of the depth chart in their positions for 2008.

Take solace, Patriot Haters: They got taken on this one.

2007: New England trades Nos. 60 and 238 overall to the Miami Dolphins for Wes Welker.

You may now begin seething again. Even during the draft, some (ahem) were incredulous at this giveaway by Miami. Sure, Cam Cameron was allowed to do things his way, but couldn’t the front-office guys imagine how deadly Welker would be catching passes from Tom Brady out of the slot? Incidentally, too, the Dolphins got two pennies for a half-dollar from a Super Bowl-contending divisional rival. Not even the Invaders and their obliterated owner make this trade so easily.

The picks by Miami became OL Samson Satele and DE Abraham Wright. Satele, to Miami's credit, has the makings of a franchise center. As for Wright, here’s his career for the Dolphins in haiku: Quickly on IR / Just waived by the club last month / Have a good one, dude.

2007: New England trades No. 28 overall to the San Francisco 49ers for No. 110 overall and first-round selection in 2008.

For those of us still trying to figure out what in Montana’s name happened with the 2007 San Francisco 49ers, the draft makes things more confusing. After all, despite the fact that the Patriots would ultimately land a blue-chip prospect for the ‘D’ and the best wide receiver in the game right now because of this trade, the 49ers did well in picking up Joe Staley. Staley immediately started at right tackle and didn’t miss a snap for the offense – one of the few bright spots in San Francisco last season.

Staley aside, however, New England managed to come out ahead on this one. Waaaaaaaaaaay ahead, of course, thanks to the generosity of Al Davis ...

2007: New England trades No. 110 overall to the Oakland Raiders for Randy Moss.

Cornerback John Bowie, the Raiders' pick at No. 110, notched one tackle while seeing action in two games, while Moss ... oh, forget it.

2008: New England trades Nos. 7 and 164 overall to the New Orleans Saints for Nos. 10 and 78 overall.

This translated to DT Sedrick Ellis and OT Carl Nicks for LBs Jerod Mayo and Shawn Crable. And with all the wonderful optimism that is the NFL offseason, right now this trade looks fantastic for both teams. Mayo is the man the Patriots wanted and Crable has reportedly been superseding expectations early on; this tandem could be the heart of the Pats’ LB corps for years to come.

On the other side, who would pass on the monstrous, ultra-talented Ellis (except, apparently, the Patriots)? Nicks appears to be a bit of a gamble, but if that unrefined potential can be harnessed, this OT would make for a much-needed addition to a questionable line in New Orleans.

Of course, this is all speculation and will have to wait through months of tantalization before ever getting the first bits of real data. But that’s the fun and frustration of the draft, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, the Invaders need a fullback in Round 2 ...

Judging strictly but fairly throughout the year at RealFootball365.com
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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