New England Patriots fans need to learn to expect the unexpected when it comes to Bill Belichick’s draft strategy.
Anytime it seems Belichick has been figured out, he changes the script. No one expected the Patriots to trade up to grab defensive end Chandler Jones in 2012. And after years of selecting short, shifty cornerbacks, the Patriots shocked the world by taking 6-foot-1 Ras-I Dowling in 2011.
That’s why reports that the Patriots are interested in trading up for a wide receiver shouldn’t come as a shock. Sure, the Patriots have never drafted a wideout in the first round under Belichick, but they hadn’t taken a pass rusher in the first round before Jones, either.
Listen to NESN.com’s first Patriots podcast of 2014 to hear Doug Kyed and MassLive.com’s Nick Underhill discuss the team’s draft possibilities. Logan Mankins also explains how the Patriots’ offensive line can improve in 2014, and former University of Washington running back and potential second-round pick Bishop Sankey explains why he believes running backs still should be drafted in the first round.
