I looked at the draft order pretty closely today, looking for opportunties to move around on Thursday. I really only came away with one scenario I saw as viable - and I do believe there's potential for this to actually happen.
Many pundits are saying Mark Ingram will slide into the 2nd round. I'm a big believer that teams' big boards have nothing to do with what these guys are saying, however, and I think that both Miami and New England have their eye on him. New England is in prime position to take him with the 1st pick of the 2nd round if he does in fact slide, but knowing this, will Miami allow that to happen? RB is as big of a need on that team as any.
Or does Julio Jones slip, who would also be a huge boon to Tom Brady and the Patriots going forward? Obviously if he's available at #13, the Rams would be ecstatic to get him at #14. With the ammunition the Patriots have this year (6 picks in the first 3 rounds, 2 per round) and both Brady and Belicheck beginning to age, I think now is the time they pull the trigger and trade up in the draft.
Consulting the trade value chart in the draft, a mid round 3rd is fair compensation for moving back from #13 to #17. I'm a huge Prince Amukamara proponent, and if he's there, I take him. If not, however, I think the Patriots will be looking to move up regardless. They have two 3rd round picks, and also already possess two 2nd rounders, giving them even more ammunition to move back if they want, or sit pat and take more quality players. In that case, we could move back and take arguably one of the top 3 corners, Jimmy Smith, while adding a 3rd round pick which, in the mock draft below (very rough, I'm aware) would translate into back to back picks netting us Bruce Carter and Clint Boling.
This is basically a dream scenario for me, outside of Amukamara being available, which I'm not counting on. The rest of the mock below is just for fun.
Trade w/NE (#13 for #17 and #74)
1. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (from NE)
2. Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois
3a. Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina (from NE)
3b. Clint Boling, G, Georgia
4. Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii
5. Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
7. Anthony Sherman, FB, Connecticut


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