NFL Draft 2011: Bill Belichick and the Pats Will Draft for Value, Not for Need

When you read up on Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots' drafting style and strategy, you will find the word "value" over and over again.

At each and every selection, Belichick and company select the player with the most value to the Patriots rather than drafting the best player at a certain position which is considered a team need. 

In a recent interview on NFL.com regarding the Patriots' plans and preparation heading into the 2011 NFL draft, Belichick states right off the bat how much they emphasize preparation and the magic word "value":

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"Hopefully we're well-prepared on the draft board and we'll try to find a spot where we can get good value for our pick."

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When Belichick states "value," he means the player with the most value to the Patriots, as Belichick explains more:

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"If it happens to be at a position we'd like, great, but as long as long as it's a good player that will be the type of person and player we want in our program, then I think we'll be happy with that pick."

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In nearly every single draft, the Patriots make a selection that may cause a few eyebrows to raise and will cause many fans to scratch their heads.

Entering the draft last year, many expected New England to draft a pass-rusher with their 22nd overall pick, but the Patriots did what they always do: draft for value. Belichick made a two trades and wound up with the pick No. 27.  

At that point of the draft, pass-rushers like Sergio Kindle and Koa Misi were both available, but the Patriots decided to go with cornerback Devin McCourty. Every single ESPN and NFL Network draft analyst didn't have McCourty as a highly rated defensive back, and most didn't even have McCourty going in the first round—but Belichick drafted for team value.

McCourty went on to to have a stellar rookie season which earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii—meanwhile, Kindle and Misi went onto record a combined total of five sacks.

Every single Patriots writer, including myself, have been producing mock drafts like crazy over the past few months, but it's almost pointless to do so.

No one knows what Belichick and the Patriots are thinking and no one knows how highly valued each prospect is for New England—mocking the Patriots is like a guessing a game.

New England will enter Thursday's first round with the 17th and 28th overall selection—the only team with two picks in the first round. The Patriots will be shopping those picks, like always, to see how much value they can get by trading them, and if the value is too low, they'll select the prospect who offers the most value to the Patriots at that point of the draft. 

Belichick and the Patriots are so difficult to predict when it comes to the draft, but the lone thing that I can guarantee is that they will be selecting the player with the most value for each and every draft choice. 

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @      TonySantorsa.