The New England Patriots entered the 2019 NFL Draft with 12 selections. Despite competing for Super Bowls year in and year out, the Patriots continue to play the system the best out of everyone. New England has no problems with letting veteran players go when their respective contracts are up. That practice typically nets the Patriots a number of compensatory picks.
As we all know, New England plugs the open position with another player, and doesn't skip a beat. The Pats' dominance of the last two decades, which has resulted in six Super Bowl trophies, is truly astounding. It's just as astounding to see a team that just won the Super Bowl owning 12 draft picks.
Here are a few takeaways from the Patriots' draft over the weekend.
4. Surprise move for a punter
The most surprising move made by the Patriots occurred on Saturday in the fifth round. They agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to move up four spots to acquire former Stanford punter Jake Bailey. The Patriots received pick 163; the Eagles received picks 167 and 246.
The most famous move up for a kicker in recent memory is when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved up into the second round to select Robert Aguayo in 2016.
It's even more surprising to see the Patriots move up. Bailey is a right-footed kicker. Belichick is well known for his preference of left-footed punters. Nonetheless, there must be something they saw in Bailey that they liked. What that means for newly re-signed Ryan Allen remains to be seen.
3. Patriots and Rams made three trades
Both teams from this past February's Super Bowl continued to get to know each other over the weekend. The Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams made a total of three trades together on Days 2 and 3.
In round 2, New England moved up to pick 45 to select former Vanderbilt defensive back Joejuan Williams. It sent picks 56 and 101 to the Rams. The Patriots would get back the 101st from the Rams in the second trade between the two teams.
The Patriots sent picks 97 and 162 to the Rams in exchange for picks 101 and 133. New England used those picks to select former West Virginia offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste and former Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, respectively.
The Rams used the 162nd pick to trade with the Patriots to move up. The Rams acquired picks 134 and 243 while sending picks 162 and 167 to New England. The Patriots used both those picks in separate trades to move up with other teams.
2. New England received great value in the third round
The Patriots wound up with three picks in the third round. With the 77th pick, New England selected former Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich, who had a second-round grade from most teams. Winovich was very productive at Michigan, and some would argue he is better than college teammate Rashan Gary, who was taken 12th by the Green Bay Packers.
At pick 87, New England surprised many by taking former Alabama running back Damien Harris. Running back was not a position of need at this point, but Belichick believed Harris was too good to pass up. With Sony Michel and James White already in the backfield, this is a very solid group of backs in New England.
After trading down a few spots, the Patriots were still able to draft Cajuste at pick 101. Cajuste suffered an injury this offseason during training, but was widely viewed as a first or second-round talent prior to the injury.
1. N'Keal Harry may be the best receiver in this draft class
There were a number of quality wide receivers in this draft class. However, it was hard to determine which one exactly stood out. Former Arizona State WR N'Keal Harry could become that player.
Harry was just one of two receivers to go off the board in round one. Former Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown was the other at pick 25 to the Baltimore Ravens.
It's not like New England to select a receiver with its first pick. However, it's been well known that the Patriots have been searching for a true number one for the past few seasons. A couple of years ago they traded a first and third-round pick for Brandin Cooks. A few weeks into 2018, the Patriots traded a fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Josh Gordon.
Harry can thrive in the Patriots' offense. While he may not possess the speed to separate from defenders, he has the ball skills Tom Brady will love. Harry should have an immediate impact.
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