A 3-4 team with a bunch of draft picks? Holy crap. Interesting idea to think about it isn't it?
Let me update you on what's been happening the last 24 hours with the Patriots. After a trade with the Broncos fell through, Matt Cassel and Linebacker Mike Vrabel ended up getting traded to the Chiefs for the 34th pick in the NFL Draft. It's pretty much a free trade to be honest with you. They don't need another QB. They have Tom Brady and they're confident he can come back and be even better than before. And trading Mike doesn't hurt them that much. They've been needing youth at their linebacker core for a long time, while the Chiefs desperately need a sense of leadership and experience in the locker room.
The trade clears up over 14.5 million dollars in their salary cap. Without that aspect a deal with the Panthers wouldn't be possible. Even if this deal doesn't happen, it still gives the Patriots a pretty good cushion to make a few good FA signings before all the good players are signed to other teams.
The 2nd round pick they received in the trade gives the Patriots four picks in the first two rounds: #23, #34, #47, #58. They have a lot of room to make a good trade, and trading a 1st and 2nd round pick to pick up Peppers and Lucas could really help their team fill in at needed positions while not hurting their draft status all that much. For the Panthers on the other end, it will clear them of two big contracts and might allow them to make a move on the remaining defensive linemen still out there like Jason Taylor or one of the defensive tackles still floating around.
What do you guys think? Will the Patriots make the call?