Trade show: Patriots, Eagles ready to make their moves

No team manipulates the NFL draft better than the Patriots. They usually wield so much power that coach Bill Belichick should sit on a throne, TERA Gold wearing a crown and holding a scepter. He controls not only New England’s destiny but that of so many other teams.

Whether it’s due to a plethora of picks, a cunning ability to outwit their rivals or just plain chutzpa, the Patriots always seem to mold the draft in their favor. It should be no different in this year’s draft, which kicks off at 8 p.m. Thursday with the first round.

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are never afraid to wheel and deal when it comes to the NFL Draft. (AP Photo)The Patriots have three of the first 33 picks (Nos. 17, 28 and 33) and six picks overall in the first three rounds. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them deal the 28th pick for a chance to move up or, more likely, move down and accumulate more picks. RIFT Platinum Teams desperate for a quarterback — and there are plenty of them — might want to try to acquire the 28th slot rather than risk waiting until the second round to try to get their signal-caller.

“There definitely seems to be a lot of interest in our draft picks (from other teams),” Belichick said recently. “And as you know, we’re not afraid to trade them.”

Here are three other teams who could be power players in the draft.

Eagles. They have a history of making draft trades: 29 in the past eight years, 16 in the last three and six last year. Philadelphia holds the 23rd pick in Round 1, which is about the time some of the second-tier quarterbacks could start being taken. rift gold Don’t be surprised to see the Eagles wheel and deal again.

“We’re open to exploring any options that we think make us better,” RIFT Platinum general manager Howie Roseman said, “and whether that’s moving up or moving down, we’re definitely open.”

Chargers. They’re another team blessed with multiple picks in the early rounds — two in both Round 2 and Round 3 — and they have five of the first 89 overall.

Saints. Rift Gold They have traded up in the first round three times in the past eight years. If they feel there’s a player in the middle of the round who can help them make another Super Bowl run, they won’t hesitate to give up picks to move up from No. 24.