The Patriots SHOULD NOT Trade Back in The Upcoming NFL Draft

On Thursday's edition of Zolak and Bertrand, the guys discussed the Patriots top brass going down to the Senior Bowl during this week. This led to Marc Bertrand, and Scott Zolak making the case that the Patriots should not trade down from the 4th overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Thumbnail Photo Courtesy of USA Today Sports.
#nfl #patriots #football

[@jacobhughes9010]

All the idiots who wanted to trade the Drake maye pick last offseason to have a extra first round pick this year seem awfully dumb now huh?

[@kwf484]

Curran was beating that drum even after the draft

[@Rucarlos]

They must be the same people that cheer every year when we trade down and get a bum while the other team grabs an all pro

[@mdb9920]

What how? I still think they should have traded back last year

[@jwheels9876]

Only way the trade would have worked is if it was to go back for JJ and he ends up being great. Then we would have #4 and the Giants #3 because they wanted Maye last draft. We know what every other QB is now but JJ is still a wild card. The real dumb people were the "draft the generational talent in MHJ" folks

[@mpolinsk22]

Not at all. This only works if Sanders/Ward can't play at all or there's no good QB in next year's draft either. They would have their OL mostly solved right now, they'd have a top 5 WR room too. They would have any OT that went from Fashanu to Guyton, Brian Thomas Jr, and possibly McConkey on this team right now and in position to trade up (with their own 4th and a low 20s pick) for one of this year's QBs or, had they run Zappe out there this year, maybe picking 1st on merit anyway.

[@michael_c2]

I mean it's hard to say definitively whether they should or not without knowing how the board is shaking out and what the offers are.

[@prosandconsfilms6933]

Zolak did this last year and said the Pats should take MHJr because he thought they were a star away from competing. Again, he is so, so wrong. They need piecES.

[@jaymic1]

Every year there are 'bad year' and 'good year' statements made. Then we see players who were picked later and became good. We also see higher picks not play so well. It's called player development.

[@SoupThaFisherman]

It is a No-Brainer our worst position group is offensive Line draft Will Campbell . There's no point in drafting a receiver if you can't protect the quarterback to throw the ball to the receiver. If you have a bad offensive line, you can't pass and you can't run. We seen it for 2 years.

[@Mptappin12]

We can address offensive line in free agency

[@carlodangio1724]

Just take one of: Hunter, Carter or Graham.

[@Orcasrule6355]

Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter or Will Campbell. I’ll be happy with any of these guys

[@harrykuehn3894]

My biggest thing when it comes to the draft isn't physical talent. Although that's important. My thing is, when lights are brightest and there is the most pressure. How does the kid perform. As well as his total body of work and durability are also above sheer physical ability.

[@joeysmith5767]

I think we can get Carter or Hunter. Either is a slam dunk

[@tuckerconley3462]

Its gonna depend on a couple QB's going up high

[@NewJerseyJets22]

If they are gone Mason Graham isn’t a bad option either.

[@johnhaversack1634]

What I would do is take the best OT at 4....the cant draft WR/Develop them so get that position in FA...2nd pick round 36..trade down get with the 49th or so and an extra third rounder..have 3 3rd rounders..get the best OL/RB/WR/LB with 4 picks. Get a Cooper Kupp in FA and a RB who doesnt fumble.

[@Enygma_Inc]

ZOLAK IS BACK BABY! COLD?... WHAT COLD?? 😎

[@coreyw2124]

Easy. Hunter or Carter. If they’re both gone, then best available LT. Probably Campbell

[@philiptan5814]

lmao thank god beetle isnt running our team

[@daviddevine8827]

Bad teams panic to get a QB. Even in down years. All 3 teams ahead of Pats need a QB. 2-3 behind Pats need a QB and could panic trade up. I still expect 2 QB taken before #4.

[@paulvierra3902]

STICK AND PICK THATS THE PLAN!!!

[@drose212]

If abdul or Travis are still available I say they should go for it but if neither of them are available pats should either get the best o line in the draft or trade the 4th pick for more picks

[@oldernu1250]

DL, RB, find a CB. Bottom line: gotta coach em.

[@eriks.uperpatriot5817]

Stop with Will Campbell already. They’re saying he is a T-Rex & will be a Guard. You do not draft a freaking Guard at 4th overall.

[@bianconi207]

Id be fine with them taking in 3 o linemen out of the first 4 rounds, protect maye and running game honestly helps more than free agent wr right now

[@marquisehicks2677]

Dude we have draft receivers nobody wanna come to New England

[@soundnessofmind7196]

Rebuild the offencive line ...and get a good running back..if carter is at 4 .. Take him

[@Mark-wo9yt]

I agree - take Campbell at #4 if they can't trade back while staying in the top 10. A rookie WR will do nothing on this team if Maye continues to have no time to throw. I can't believe so many ignoramuses are bleating "take a WR at 4!" ... this OL stinks - no pass protection, no run blocking...a rookie WR with a line that can't pass block AT ALL will finish the year with about 400 yards, no TDs... and these same ignoramuses will be calling him a bust.

[@mdb9920]

If I am the Patriots, here’s what I do. At 4 I am taking Carter or Hunter. If there gone, that means Ward or Sanders are there at 4. Trade back with the Raiders and take a player at 6 and you also get the Raiders 1 next year.

[@Mu5icPr0ducer]

I agree except I’m only taking Carter if he’s there. Not sure about Hunter at either position. Then I would take Jeanty at 6 or whatever they get. Vrabes would love another Derrick Henry to open up the passing game. And either Stevenson or Gibson could focus on being a third down back.

[@jwheels9876]

Chicago would be the team at #10 because they have TWO 2nd round picks. You're only getting like #39 and #10 for #4. Gets you 3 players in the top 50 instead of 2 then you have 69-77 in the 3rd round as well. If you can't get at least 3 players that contribute right away out of that draft then you should be fired ASAP. And before any delusional fan comes in and says you're getting way more than that, no you're not, the pick is worth a 500 point difference and pick 39 is worth 510. Maybe you get a future pick next year but it won't be anything good

[@jacobhughes9010]

Tet McMillian is who they should pick

[@CKLego]

Wait if you have the 4th pick you are guaranteed top 4 player in the draft? Brilliant quote by that meathead Zolak

[@eriks.uperpatriot5817]

Tetairoa McMillan is a possession WR. I would take Mason Graham before McMillan.

[@colesturgill]

Draft experts say Campbell is pretty much fail-proof. He is projected to be an outstanding OL for a long time. Just depends on if its OG or OT. But he should be a starter and a potential team capitan for a long time

[@Urfeelingsdontmatter]

Fail proof as a guard. You would be insane to draft a guard at 4

[@Bigchupapi1]

We have like 7 guards already

[@colesturgill]

@ I didn't say he'd be a OG no doubt. Hes been a tackle in the SEC for 3 years and has crushed it. He will be fine

[@colesturgill]

@ How many are any good

[@Orcasrule6355]

@@Bigchupapi1But are they any good? No

[@seang34ify]

I don’t believe Carter or hunter will be there when they pick so I could see them trading back with Vegas and maybe trading back a second time with the Saints at 9 you have the two defensive guys out of Georgia there would be the running back gentry even that normally I don’t believe in taking a running back in the first round you’d have Will Johnson worst case you take banks, and you move them into right guard since Mike seemed to struggle at guard last year move him back to tackle

[@jamesmcpartlin4847]

Ward and Sanders need to go top 3 ideally. If Carter and Hunter are gone it's McMillan.

[@KevanBrose]

Graham is elite too

[@jamesmcpartlin4847]

@@KevanBrose DT is just deeper than edge, wr/cb.

[@Spartan888able]

Id only trade back if their top choices are gone. But I'd stick at 4 and pick up Mason Graham unless Travis Hunter or adul carter is available. Graham would be a nice upgrade to the dline. Give them a potential cornerstone defensive player to pair with González. Id go WR only if they wif on getting a stud WR. But id personally go Graham barring one of hunter or Adul carter fals to them.

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Carter may be there at 4... Tenn said they're taking Hunter. Spending this 4th pick on DEFENSE when their offense needs to be COMPLETELY overhauled is the height of stupidity. Not sure if you're aware but you need to SCORE points to win, and that is done with OFFENSE, not defense. And NE has arguably the WORST offense in football. Fix the O-line or Maye won't make it to mid-season.

[@Spartan888able]

@Mark-wo9yt I'm fully aware of this. There's still FA which happens before the draft. And I expect them to attack the offense in FA. If they wif on the online or wr then yes draft them

[@marway99]

THIS IS OUR CHOOSE IN FIRST PICK! THIS THREE PEOPLE! TETAIROA MCMILLAN 6’5 GOODHANDS HE CAN JUMP NEXT MIKE EVANS. OR ASHTON JEANTY FASTEST RUN HE CAN HELP PATRIOTS LOTS OF TOUCHDOWN! MOVE LIKE SAQUAN BARKLEY. OR BEST TE TYLER WARREN 6’6 GOODHANDS MAYBE NEXT GRONKOWSKI. THATS IT. BECAUSE TRAVIS HUNTER IS GONE. IF HIS AVAILABLE DRAFT HIM TOO.

[@elizabeth9674]

Jeez Zolak is coming across as an asshole in this episode… Talking about hazing sending food back low tipping. Lovely guy.

[@damienfallon8980]

Where is everyone getting this crap that the QBs wont go high? You just started watching the draft if you don't think by the end of the combine QBs are not slotted to go #1 & #3. Pats will have to choose between Carter or Hunter. If either is already taken that means Sanders is still on the board and the Raiders will probably offer a trade.

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Wrong. Unless Tenn is lying, they said they're taking the 'generational talent' - which can only be ONE guy: Hunter. After that, all bets are off because NEITHER QB is worthy of a top 15 selection, never mind top 3. Of course, it's possible a team like the Giants panic and take a QB, maybe Cleveland too, but if they do not have them ranked that high, they too may look to trade back.

[@DJInsanity645]

They should stack up in free agency

[@Mark-wo9yt]

NE did that 3 years ago - dropped $163M in free agent signings. How'd that work out? Answer: not good. Most of them stunk and did little or nothing. FA money squandered as the team continued is decent into the NFL basement

[@tedtucholski-u2w]

The Patriots 100 % should trade down, unless Abdul Carter is there. Otherwise trade down to no lower than 11 and draft OT Kelvin Banks. Pats could get an extra 2nd and 4th rounder. Bertrand is clueless here. The draft is solid thru 4 rounds, accumulate picks . What would you rather have, Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks and an extra 2nd and 4th round picks. Duh !!! And Banks is better than Campbell.

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Who the hell is "Maggie"?? His logic to NOT trade back is counter intuitive. There aren't many 'blue chip' players - maybe 10 - so if you're drafting 4th, you should trade back to make sure you DON'T get one of those blue-chip guys. How dub. First of all. what they do will be dictated by what happens with the three picks in front of them. IF by some miracle one of the QBs is still there at 4 - and a team wants him (Vegas for ex) OF COURSE you trade back - particularly if you're certain one of the two guys you have targeted will still be there. The Giants will definitely reach for a QB at 3, and it's possible Cleveland takes a QB despite being on the hook w/ Watson for a few more years. If NE gets a the top tackle at 4 - that is the best possible outcome. If Maye has no time to throw - and he doesn't - a rookie WR isn't going to do anything for this offense. FIX the OL first - then you won't need to take a WR in the top 4 -

[@shawnPATSFAN]

Stick to the basics figure out who will be the future all pros and pick as many of them as possible

[@lilbbgun280]

Yall thinking too deep NE will be get Travis or Carter simple. Even if the titans get Carter or Travis the browns will not miss on cam bc they would want him over sanders if they had to get a qb. Which then means the giants get sanders and who ever is left between Travis and Carter they will get. I think if the titans don’t get a qb I feel they will get Carter but if the do go qb and the browns go qb as well then the NE will get Carter bc the giants will get Travis

[@randomflagg7331]

justr stick with travis hunter. if there ever was a patriot that embodies what we are it is travis hunter because he can do multiple positions. and that is our calling card.

[@Mark-wo9yt]

You been paying attention? Tenn said they're taking him at #1. Maybe they're lying...trying to get some other team who desperately wants him to trade with them, who knows. BUT - if they weren't lying - Hunter goes first. After that, it's possible both QBs go since Cleveland and NYG both need a QB - both panic and badly reach for below average QB. NE will take Campbell and be the start of re-building the OL which is long overdue

[@HoziTube]

take the best guy available not just at 4 but for the whole draft and free agency. This team needs talent. And if ladd mcconkey is sitting there dont trade the freaking pick you idiots.

[@seangoodwin3046]

Will Campbell at 4, sign a Tackle at FA and now all of a sudden you only have three turnstiles on your offensive line and not five.

[@elijahtalksball]

Maybe onwenu loses some weight and Andrew’s come back then maybe sow or strange actually play average

[@polandfresh101]

@@elijahtalksballcounting on Andrews at this point is fool’s gold. He should retire.

[@KDirt]

@@polandfresh101based on what? This is the first time I’ve seen anyone say he needs to retire.

[@DMKFACTOR]

Will Campbell would be a major mistake! He is at best a 10 year mid starter. His biggest weakness is pass blocking! He is rated lower than Vederian Lowe! At 4 if Carter and Hunter are gone you pick Mason Graham!

[@petermarshall6577]

@@elijahtalksball Andrew's has missed 1/2 the games in the past 3 years. He HAS to be replaced.

[@KevanBrose]

Vrabel will take abdul carter if hes not there take mason graham.

[@Mark-wo9yt]

Ridiculous. The offense is arguably the worst in all of football. All they have - literally - is a 2nd year QB and that's IT. The entire OL needs to be upgraded or Maye will get KO'd by week 4. The OL can't pass OR run block, their WRs are a bunch of WR4s, and they have ONE RB who fumbles too much...and YOU think NE needs to spend on DEFENSE. Ridiculous. The D is WAY better than the offense. It ain't rocket science - fix the OL - priority #1 before you get your only good offensive player killed

[@KevanBrose]

@Mark-wo9yt gotta wait til after free agency. Hopefully pats can snag tee higgins and or ronnie stanley. My thing is you can't force picks. I'm not sold yet on cambell or banks at tackle. Gotta wait for combine and measurements. Tet McMillan would be the only other player on offense going in top 10 on paper. Again I gotta see him at the combine. He played against lesser competition and half his tds came in one game. I think he will be a better version of Michael Pittman jr. Not positive tho, is jayden higgins in rd 2 that far off? All I'm saying is the best players right now are on defense. Travis hunter Abdul carter and mason graham. Hunter is generational carter is a Micah parsons clone and in a loaded dline class graham was the only one that graded above 80 in pass d and run d. He's a freak. Could be the next aaron Donald. And when vrabel was asked he said he wants to build in the trenches. Different style of D he's bringing in. Less 2 gap more A gap attack style on dline. He wants to get to the qb with 4 in a 4-2-5 base d. Smaller faster LBs lastly I'd say there's some decent depth on the oline too there's some players in the 2-4 rd range that will be good. We'll see

[@KozyKool2287]

They have so many holes on both sides of the ball. They're not going to get fixed with the 9 picks they have already. Unless they bring in a bunch of UDFA's into camp. I don't see how all the issues get fixed.

[@kingsteven7]

Take McMillan

[@dmurphy1578]

Zo is so dumb. I used to think he had inside info but now….

[@thomasallen7614]

Cmon guys if you can’t get Abdul tmac or hunter trade down and draft a lineman or top tier running back Stevenson has regressed too much since he broke 1000 yards