The New England Patriots have been known for two things under Bill Belichick: moving all around the draft board and taking fliers on talented but troubled players. Well, three things if you count winning.
Belichick has the opportunity to cover the first two when the NFL Draft begins tomorrow. Grantland's Bill Barnwell lays out a hypothetical trade scenario that would see the Pats send the No. 32 overall pick plus a second and a fourth-rounder this year to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the No. 19 overall pick and wide receiver Josh Gordon. This trade is highly unlikely but Barnwell's explanation does make it seem at least slightly plausible.
"Belichick has built his defense around athletic big men along the defensive line, and with Vince Wilfork gone, he needs to replenish what was once New England's defensive core. Malcom Brown is the sort of run-stuffing interior lineman Belichick craves, and he could slot in next to 2014 first-round pick Dominique Easley in the years to come.
"Belichick also loves taking shots on troubled players with talent, and he gets one here in Gordon. The draft picks included in this deal imply that Gordon is valued as about a fifth-round pick, and while he certainly has the talent of a first-rounder, the Browns likely want to move on from their oft-suspended wideout. With little leverage, the Browns could avoid cutting him by sending him to New England, where the Patriots will surely hope he's their next Randy Moss. Trading down would leave the Browns in line to grab a new receiver at No. 32, amid a group that could include USC's Nelson Agholor and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong."
Again, this trade is a big long-shot, especially since Gordon is expected to be suspended for the entire 2015 season. But New England would be able to rebuild its defensive line in this scenario while getting Gordon back when he's still just 25-years-old next year. The Pats have been linked to big name receivers such as Larry Fitzgerald and Vincent Jackson in the recent past, after all.
It likely won't happen but it's fun to think about.
