The Patriots

The New England Patriots are probably a more talented team now than they were when they won Super Bowl LI. That's especially true if they can retain linebacker Dont'a Hightower and tight end Rob Gronkowski can get and stay healthy. This isn't great news for the rest of the league.

The Patriots improved their overall talent in just a couple of days the old-fashioned way. Trades. There once was an NFL with no free agency. The main means of player movement in those days was trades. There are still several transactions of that sort but it's more of an afterthought these days. Free agency rules. The Patriots are bringing trades back. In just a couple of days the champs have done the following.

Trade with the Colts
Colts get: Patriots 4th round pick
Patriots get: tight end Dwayne Allen and Colts 6th round pick

Trade with the Panthers
Panthers get: Patriots 2nd round pick
Patriots get: defensive end Kony Ealy and Panthers 3rd round pick

Trade with the Saints
Saints get: Patriots 1st and 3rd round picks
Patriots get: receiver Brandin Cooks and Saints 4th round pick

Before going any further I have to say that I really like the way that the Patriots get a pick when they trade a pick(s) for a player. Picks are prized commodities to Bill Belichick no matter where they sit in the draft. Getting one when he's giving one has always been important to him.

It should also be noted that the 4th round pick that the Patriots are getting from the Saints in the Brandin Cooks deal will be forfeited as the continued pathetic punishment for the ball deflation nonsense.

The trade with the Panthers for Kony Ealy is amazing. The Patriots are only dropping back eight draft spots and adding a promising pass rusher. The Panthers clearly thought Ealy was expendable with their re-signings of ends Charles Johnson and Mario Addison. The Patriots benefited and give up muchto get Ealy.

Through three trades the Patriots added
Dwayne Allen
Kony Ealy
Brandin Cooks
3rd, 4th (forfeited), and 6th round picks

Forfeiting the 4th only means that they are keeping their own 4th. So it can still be seen as an addition.

All three players are young, talented, ascending players. Cooks is arguably the most talented receiver that Tom Brady has had since Randy Moss.

The Patriots made a couple of offseason moves the new-fashioned way. They signed some free agents.
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Lawrence Guy, DE
Those additions make up for the loss of corner Logan Ryan and defensive ends Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long.

No team is handed a Lombardi Trophy for the work that they do in the offseason. Even if you're not a fan of the Patriots, and many absolutely hate them, it's kinda fun to watch Belichick and his pals work the offseason. Especially the way that they are bringing trades back.