One interesting thing to note is that with the Patriots at 17th overall, many of the teams immediately below them have similar pressing needs along the defensive line and at rush linebacker.
Walterfootball.com lists the needs below the Pats as:
18. San Diego Chargers (3-4 defense)
- Rush Linebacker: Larry English has been a huge disappointment. The Chargers may still give him another chance, but they’ll probably spend a Day 2 selection this April as competition.
- Defensive End: Jacques Cesaire, a declining player, is a free agent. He needed to be upgraded anyway. Cameron Heyward would be a great fit with the 18th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft
19. New York Giants (needs listed as LT, C, RB, SLB)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3 defense but…)
Two Defensive Ends: Tampa Bay desperately needs upgrades at both defensive end positions. The team loves Adrian Clayborn and won’t hesitate to pick him at No. 20 in the 2011 NFL Draft.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (3-4 defense)
- Rush Linebacker: Make it two rush linebackers if the Chiefs can’t retain Tamba Hali. Kansas City had nothing across from Hali, as Mike Vrabel failed to register a single sack all season. Justin Houston is currently the favorite to be chosen with the 21st pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
22-25 are all 4-3 defenses (Colts, Eagles (need OLBs), Saints (need DE, OLBs), Seahawks)
26. Baltimore Ravens (3-4 defense)
- Defensive End: Cory Redding played well against the Steelers – way to be the only player to notice that Ben Roethlisberger fumbled – but he had a pretty pedestrian year overall. Allen Bailey makes sense with the 26th overall pick in April’s draft.
So if the Patriots were to consider trading down from 17 they will have two other 3-4 teams just below them with similar needs who could pounce on a prospect the Pats might like.
Kansas City especially is a team that will be looking for a very similar player to what the Pats are. Reasons like this lead me to believe they actually might not trade down, at least from 17. 33 on the other hand…
