This could be the perfect year for Belichick to move up to grab a difference maker, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him do that. But his history says he is more likely to package picks to trade down, and move at least one pick for a selection in a higher round in 2012. Given the flexibility he has—he could do all three.

The great advantage the Patriots have over most organizations in the draft game is they are not looking at the draft as a way to stop bleeding. They are looking at the draft as a way to make the muscle bigger. Theirs is a long-term program, and the way they keep multiplying picks is a self perpetuating process.