Win-Win! Patriots Draft Christian Gonzalez, Block New York Jets
When it comes to the NFL Draft, 71-year-old Bill Belichick still has his fastball.
Just ask the New York Jets.
In a week in which the Jets received countless bouquets upon trading for four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the New England Patriots were shoved to the back burner of the AFC East. The six-time Super Bowl champions were universally ignored and predicted to finish last in their division this season.
Leave it to Belichick to stick it to the Jets. While, of course, sticking his landing.
The Patriots are receiving high marks for their drafting of Christian Gonzalez. The Oregon star was considered a Top 10 pick, even the best cornerback in the draft. Belichick maneuvered from 14 to 17 and still got him, while acquiring an extra fourth-round pick and reminding the Jets that the Pats have beaten them 14 consecutive times.
Seeing several of their "targets" falling in their lap at No. 14, the Patriots traded down to 17 with Pittsburgh. They picked up the Steelers' fourth-round pick in the swap. Pittsburgh made the move up because it was eyeing Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who was considered the last of the top-tier tackle prospects left in the draft.
Problem for the Jets? They also needed a tackle, and likewise coveted Jones. But with him snatched out from under them - with an assist from Belichick - New York at No. 15 was left to reach for Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald, who some experts believed would last until the second round.
It was a master class in not only strategy - but revenge - for Belichick, who of course spent a hot minute with the Jets in the past.
Even sweeter for the Patriots is that the Jets’ failed pursuit of Jones revolves around Rodgers. The Jets swapped first-round picks with the Green Bay Packers as part of the trade, moving them down from No. 13 to No. 15.
A sampling of the league-wide reaction:
New York Post: “Bill Belichick wasted little time conspiring against Aaron Rodgers."
ESPN: “Screwed by NE, who bailed out of 14 so PIT could draft OT Jones.”
SNYtv: “That’s a blow for the Jets. They wanted an OL bad.”
Belichick didn't speak to the media after the first round, leaving it to director of player personnel Matt Groh.
“We keep tabs on all the teams, not just our division rivals,” Groh said with a smirk. “With the trade that transpired here this week, the Jets going from right in front of us to right behind us certainly shifted things. There started to be a little bit of a run there on the tackles. That position group was thinning out. If you wanted one of those guys, you’d have to come up and get him.”
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