NFL Draft 2011: Patriots Set to Reap the Benefits of 2009 Richard Seymour Trade

Shockwaves were sent throughout New England a full 19 months ago when long-time Patriot Richard Seymour was traded to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

Seymour, an eight year veteran at the time of the deal, was nearly 30 and without a contract for the 2010 season. The Patriots jumped at the chance to turn their aging 2001 sixth overall pick into a 2011 first rounder.

Many analysts and fans alike applauded the move, not expecting much out of the 2010 Raiders. Oakland hadn't produced a winning season since losing Super Bowl XXVII in 2003 and the team had become the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in seven straight seasons in 2009.

The Raiders surprised most of the league and probably themselves a bit, going a perfect 6-0 against their AFC West division rivals. The team only added two wins against their 10 other opponents, however, and ended the 2010 season with an 8-8 record. 

Their surprisingly successful season resulted in the 17th designation in the 2011 NFL Draft which was probably a bit later in the round than what New England had expected and hoped for when they agreed to the deal. Still the 17th selection is far earlier than what the Patriots could have expected to pick from based off of the season record.

The last time the team had a selection better than the 21st was in 2008 when they selected Jerod Mayo 10th overall. The team had lost its original selection in the first round that year as a result of the league imposed penalty for the Camera-gate scandal. The Mayo selection was made with the San Francisco 49ers' designated pick as a result of an earlier trade between the two franchises.

The last time New England owned a pick of their own so early in the first round was back in 2003 when they selected Ty Warren 13th overall. During the Belichick era the Patriots have picked on average from the 21st slot (20.7 average for the 10 first round selections made since 2000) so the 17th selection is still relatively new territory. 

Today the Patriots get the opportunity to reap the rewards of the Seymour trade and a grade on the deal can finally be determined or at the very least discussed.

Seymour's absence on the defense certainly wasn't a good thing for the front seven for the past two seasons, but the team graded out rather well without the four-time All Pro selection. As I've discussed previously New England's defensive rankings against the run have actually improved every year since Seymour's departure.

The team ranked 15th in rushing yards allowed per game in 2008 with Seymour, Warren and Vince Wilfork. In 2009 that ranking jumped to 13th and in 2010 the Patriots ranked 11th best against the run and they accomplished that without both Warren (IR) and Seymour.

Seymour has experienced his own levels of success in Oakland as well. He's compiled 95 tackles and 9.5 sacks in his two years with the Raiders and was selected to his sixth career Pro Bowl in 2010.

In February he agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension which made him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.

Since the trade the Patriots have yet to unquestionably fill Seymour's leadership role and position at defensive end, however, and there's a very good chance that they will address that need with the selection received in the trade almost two years ago.

In my humble opinion it's a waste of time and breath to speculate on whom the Patriots might select with their first pick because it's extremely likely they won't be staying put at that spot. The 2011 NFL Draft is expected to be trade heavy, especially throughout the first round. 

"I think there will be more trades this year than people have seen in the history of the NFL draft," said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock yesterday.

 "Had an NFL executive tell me yesterday he thought there'd be more draft movement than ever, up and down the board, today." Wrote Albert Breer, also from the NFL Network.

The Patriots are in fact rumored to be interested in the sixth overall pick, currently owned by the Cleveland Browns. A league source has reportedly told the Boston Globe that the Patriots have been in with the Browns about moving up. The target likely being DE/OLB prospect Robert Quinn.

Keep in mind that many other prospects at other positions such as wide receiver and defensive end could be in the mix if New England does successfully move up. All of the speculation will be a moot point shortly after 8:00pm tonight, so stay tuned folks: This year's draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in Patriots history.

Interested in reading more by this Columnist? Check out more of Aaron Dodge's work on Bleacher Report and on SportsHaze.com/Boston.

 Vince Wilfork Moving Back to Nose Tackle, Team Expected to Draft a Defensive End