Trading picks this year for picks next year

[PalladinInNC]

Their problem is that they habitually traded out of the first round for years instead of using those picks. They typically would only use the first 1st rounder, and then instead of using the second 1st, they'd trade out and you just can't do that every year. You have to use the picks.

Doesn't matter! Their picks after the 1st round have been generally bad and that is where you can tell whether their way of evaluating players is successful or not! If you can't hit on lower round players, you are in big trouble which is why Ozzie is one of the best there is!

[Coastergenius]

Their problem is that they habitually traded out of the first round for years instead of using those picks. They typically would only use the first 1st rounder, and then instead of using the second 1st, they'd trade out and you just can't do that every year. You have to use the picks.

Why not? Keep in mind that there is only one first round pick for every team. So, some teams don't even have first round picks. Having two first round picks every year isn't sustainable. Trading out every year and getting another one is basically status quo for the first round, plus having a gift of a 2nd rounder every year for nothing in return (other than missing out on impact players I suppose). I'm not sure how people can criticize the Patriots. They've missed the play-offs once in the past 10 years, won the division nine times in those years, have gone to the Super Bowl twice since spygate, they even had an undefeated regular season. They may not have won the Super Bowl since spygate, but they must be doing something right.