NFL Trade Rumors: Patriots Must Try to Trade Up to Land Mark Barron

The New England Patriots need to go for broke and make the bold move to trade up for Alabama safety Mark Barron. 

This will go against the Patriots recent draft philosophy of trading down to hoard picks. They have done this with such success and regularity that it would seem their goal is to one day have every pick in the first round. 

However, it is time for them to turn those picks into elite players. Their Super Bowl window that comes with having Tom Brady at QB is closing. They need to do everything they can to win now, and Barron will help them do that.  

Tom Curran, of CSN New England, reported that the Patriots are thinking along these lines. Curran:  

"

I am hearing from multiple sources that if the Patriots were to make a move and move up in this draft it would be for Mark Barron of Alabama. He’s a safety, but he’s a guy the Dallas Cowboys with the 14th overall pick might be making a run at.

"

Looking at What it Would Take to Trade Up

The Patriots first pick in this draft comes at No. 27. If Curran is right, then Barron will not slide past the Cowboys. That means the Patriots would have to jump up to at least No. 13 to snag him. 

Let's get a feel for what this jump would cost by checking out the NFL draft-pick value chart. 

The No. 13 pick is worth 1150 points. The Patriots No. 27 pick is worth 680. That leaves the Patriots with 470 more points to come up with to make this equal. 

To hit that mark, they could package pick No. 48 (420 points) and another later round pick. This certainly doesn't mean that the Cardinals, who currently sit at No. 13, would be obligated to accept this, but it gives us an idea of what it would take. 

The key here is that New England should be able to swing this trade and still hold onto their other first round pick. This would be a huge boost to a defense that needs it—especially in the secondary. 

Why the Patriots Must Make This Move

The Patriots finished 31st in pass defense with a patchwork secondary. They need a player back there that they can build around, and Barron is exactly that. 

Barron is the prototypical NFL strong safety. He has the size and toughness to move up into the box and challenge the run, and he has the instincts and footwork to hold down his zone or go man-to-man with tight ends. 

He would be an instant upgrade over James Ihedigbo, and his ability to impact the run and pass defense would make the entire defense better.