The New England Patriots head into the 2024 NFL Draft with eight scheduled draft picks. Starting with the third pick they own one selection in each round, plus an extra pick in the sixth round after trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, the Patriots likely won’t end up drafted at all eight assigned draft slots. They’ve made at least one trade in every draft going back to 2000, with the exception of 2004.
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This year, there’s been as much speculation around the Patriots making a trade as any. Whether it’s moving down from the third overall pick, up or down from No. 34, etc., it seems like a trade-friendly year.
When trying to project these trades, one tool can be the trade value chart. Each NFL team has its own chart that values each pick at a certain point value, with the idea being to find trades where the points on each side are at least close to even. Some of those charts have been estimated and can be found on the internet.
However, the trade chart isn’t always a perfect predictor. That’s especially true at the top of the draft, where trading for a quarterback can skew the values.
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Instead, the more reliable predictor of future trades can actually be past trades. Looking at what similar picks went for in recent drafts – especially in similar situations – can be a big help.
So, with the draft a week out, what former trades from recent years should Patriots fans be aware of? Let’s take a look, focusing on trades where a pick at or very close to a scheduled selection was the main or one of the main assets dealt (so we won’t include trades where the 231st pick was thrown in with multiple first being dealt).
We’re not including trades that involved players, or picks that were dealt in previous years. There are some trades here that the Patriots don’t have all the capital to pull off, but most are within adding one or two Day 3 picks, which could be done before the draft or in the earlier stages.