{"id":51992,"date":"2020-04-24T01:02:06","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T06:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=51992"},"modified":"2021-08-29T06:28:17","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T06:28:17","slug":"lazar-best-players-available-for-the-patriots-after-trading-out-of-first-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=51992","title":{"rendered":"Lazar: Best Players Available for the Patriots After Trading Out of First Round"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a draft that didn\u2019t see a trade until the 13th selection, the first time since 2015 that every team in the top ten stayed put, Bill Belichick traded out of the first round on Thursday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The move comes as no surprise to anyone as we\u2019ve discussed for months the Patriots bridging the gap between their first selection (23rd overall) and their next pick in the third round (87th).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots acquired the 37th overall pick from the Chargers and an additional third-rounder (71), and now have five picks on day two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we have discussed, this draft is particularly robust for the Pats on day two due to the depth at certain positions such as wide receiver, offensive line, and quarterback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the value at New England\u2019s top positions of need, such as tight end and linebacker, is on day two, where need aligns with talent rather than reaching in the first round on a player.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the trade, ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter said during the draft broadcast that New England feels like they\u2019ll get the same player they wanted at no. 23 with the fifth pick in the second round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio shed some light on the move during a call with reporters early Friday morning, referencing the tier system New England uses in the draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots will sort players into pockets or tiers where they feel that one player isn\u2019t significantly better than the other, and Caserio said there\u2019s a large pocket of players on day two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with resetting our Patriots big board and New England\u2019s 13 selections over the next two days, we\u2019ll try our best to predict who that player might be that Schefter referenced in his report:<\/span><\/p>\n

DL A.J. EPENESA, IOWA\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n
\n

Some team is going to get a good interior rusher with A.J. Epenesa. Stout play-side DE on early downs, but kick him inside on passing downs. <\/p>\n

Favorite snatch move on the left guard. Get those inside hands locked in, pull him towards you, go right around for the sack. #Patriots<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GHyRjGuYxc<\/a><\/p>\n

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 26, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n