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Patriots: AFC East makes noise in a variety of ways – Metro US

Patriots: AFC East makes noise in a variety of ways

Bill Belichick once again treasured quantity over quality in the draft. Bill Belichick once again treasured quantity over quality in the draft.

A year after the Patriots traded up in the NFL Draft to select defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont’a Hightower, head coach Bill Belichick reverted to his typical draft day form Thursday, trading out of the 2013 first round.

New England traded the No. 29 pick overall to the Vikings for the 52nd overall pick (second round), the 83rd overall pick (third round), the 102nd pick (fourth round) and the 229th overall pick (seventh round).

The Pats’ AFC East rivals, however, made some noise on the first night of the draft as the Jets grabbed cornerback Dee Milliner at No. 9, likely in an effort to immediately replace Darrelle Revis, who was traded to Tampa Bay earlier this week. New Jets GM John Idzik stuck with the defensive trend a few picks later, nabbing Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson at No. 13 overall.

Also within the division, the Dolphins traded with Oakland to move up to the No. 3 slot to grab Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan.

The Bills stunned many by tabbing Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel at No. 16. Manuel was the first QB taken.
Meanwhile the St. Louis Rams were in the market for a wide receiver after losing Danny Amendola to the Patriots in March and they addressed the issue by selecting West Virginia’s Tavon Austin. The Rams moved up eight spots due to a trade with Buffalo to take Austin.