Whether you love them or hate them the New England Patriots have been a team to reckon with in the AFC East since Tom Brady took the team reigns over in 2001. Of course what sets the Pats apart from so many other teams in the league is they clearly know how to trade and draft players. With their deals they end up with a roster that comes in well below the salary cap and yet still win even the biggest games. Some how New England really has a knack for getting lots of mid range draft picks and for using those picks to find solid players that really have a heart for the game.

In this years draft many marveled that the Patriots had 8 picks in the first three rounds. Of course none of these picks were in the first round but with eight they were able to get several solid players as opposed to other teams, which took one high priced star player and two solid players on average. Those that grade teams and how they did in the draft have gave the team a B+ with a couple of the players a little questionable since they do have hurdles to overcome. But then who would have guessed that a unknown quarterback taken in the 8th round in 2000 would give New England one of the best players to ever wear a Patriots helmet and one of the best passers in the league.

The Patriots get so many picks because they know when to let go of high priced players. These players are still performing well but are taking up lots of room on the teams salary totals. The recent trades of Ellis Hobbs and Matt Cassell cleared lots of room for them to work under their salary cap. But there are those who are concerned if Tom Brady gets hurt again since Cassell is not there to back him up. Other than that the Pats are surely looking to building for the future while they are still one of the best teams in the league.