One of the keys to New England’s dominance over the past 16 years has been their machinations in the draft. The Patriots draft moves have been masterful. From trading players, to understanding the free agent compensation system, Bill Belichick has used the draft to add established players like Wes Welker, Randy Moss. He’s found gems in the bottom half of the draft like Julian Edelman (and a guy named “Tom Brady”).

The Machinations of the 2017 Patriots Draft

The 2017 NFL draft is now just three weeks away. Here’s as brief a summary as I can give as to how the Patriots stand in terms of this year’s draft.

The Patriots traded their first pick, and the third round selection they got in the Jamie Collins trade to New Orleans for Brandin Cooks. The Patriots also got a fourth round pick from the Saints, that they then forfeited due to Roger Goodell’s witch hunt.

They traded their second round pick (#64 overall) to the Panthers for Kony Ealy and a third round pick (#72 overall pick). So in effect they got Ealy for the price of eight draft positions. As it stands right now, the Patriots first pick in the draft will come with that #72 selection

The only one of their original picks they haven’t traded away yet is the #96 selection in the third round.

The Late Rounds

In the fourth round, they have pick #131 that they got from the Seahawks in a 2016 draft day deal. They gave up a fifth round pick in last year’s draft and their seventh rounder for Seattle’s 2016 7th round pick, and 4th rounder this year.

Their original fourth round pick (#137) was traded to the Colts for tight end Dwayne Allen and a sixth round pick.

In the fifth round, they have the Broncos selection at #163 that they got in exchange for tight end A.J. Derby (originally a 6th round pick in 2015). {UPDATE, THIS PICK WAS SENT TO BUFFALO AS COMPENSATION FOR RESTRICTED FREE AGENT MIKE GILLISLEE}

They dealt their original fifth rounder (#175) to the Cleveland Browns for Barkevious Mingo.

New England also has the #183 pick in the fifth round – that they got as compensation for Akiem Hicks leaving for the Chicago Bears last offseason. They got Hicks for Michael Hoomanawanui (most famous to Pats fans for the eligible / ineligible play in the 2014 Divisional Playoffs against the Ravens. So this is essentially a free pick the Patriots got for a low-risk free against signing five years ago. If you want to know why Belichick rules the salary cap era, this is a pretty good example.

In the 6th round, they have the #200 pick from the Allen trade.

Belichick traded their original 6th round pick to the Lions for Kyle Van Noy and the Lions seventh round pick (#239). Again, in exchange for 21 draft places, they got a key contributor to a Super Bowl run. By the way, they’re thrilled for him in Michigan.

Finally, their original 7th rounder, #250, was traded to the Lions for tight end Michael Williams back in 2015.

Free Agent Compensation

One of the more mysterious and poorly understood concepts in the NFL is the free agent compensation system. There’s a secret formula that the NFL uses to dole out compensatory draft picks. You receive compensatory selections based on the difference in number and quality between the number of unrestricted free agents you lose and those you sign. Players who are cut by other teams are not counted in this system.

Belichick has used this system masterfully; signing players who were cut by other teams (like Chris Long) to one-year low risk contracts, letting them perform and earn free agent deals elsewhere. The waiver claim on Michael Floyd could have the same result. When you look at Belichick’s deals, understanding free agent compensation is key.

Tom Brady picked with a compensatory selection. Others include Patrick Pass, David Givens, Nick Kaczur, Cameron Fleming, Vincent Valentine and Elandon Roberts – just to name a few. Obviously you aren’t going to hit on all of them, but the more bites you get at the apple, the more chances you have to hit on a big one.

Hitting on Late Round Picks

Brady aside, a number of key contributors in the Belichick era have come in the fourth round or later. Only one of the Patriots offensive starters last year was actually picked in the first round (Nate Solder).

A surprisingly large number of major contributors to the Patriots Super Bowl LI championship. You’ve got Malcolm Mitchell (2016), Trey Flowers and Shaq Mason (2015), James White and Cameron Fleming (2014), in addition to kicker Stephen Gostkowski (2006.)

In addition, older 4th round stars include Asante Samuel (2003), Jarvis Green (2002), Maurice Hurst (1989) and Tim Goad (1988).

Special teamer extraordinaire Matthew Slater was a 5th rounder in 2008. As was long snapper Joe Cardona in 2015, tackle Marcus Cannon in 2011, and center Dan Koppen in 2003. In 1975, the Patriots selected Kansas quarterback Steve Grogan with their 5th rounder.

Nate Ebner in 2012 and Elandon Roberts in 2016 join Brady as the Patriots best modern 6th rounders. In 1961, the Patriots snared defensive end Larry Eisenhauer (though back then, that made him the 42nd overall pick).

The 7th Round and Later

Looking at the late rounds of Patriots draft history, Julian Edelman was a 7th rounder in 2009 (#232 overall.) They also got quarterback Matt Cassel in the 7th round in 2005. Tully Banta-Cain came to the Pats in the 2003 7th round. Receiver David Givens was a 7th-round selection in 2002.

Fullback Patrick Pass was a 2000 7th Rounder. Going back further pre-Belichick, they got running back Craig James with their 1983 7th round pick, and tackle Tom Neville with their 7th rounder in 1965.

Troy Brown was an 8th round pick in 1993 (#198). So was fullback Sam Gash in 1992; Safety Ronnie Lippett was also an 8th rounder in 1983; and special team legend Mosi Tatupu in 1978. Sugar Bear Hamilton was a 14th round pick in 1973. Patriots Hall of Fame Running back Jim Nance was a 19th-rounder in 1965. They got Hall of Famer Nick Buonoconti in the 13th round of the 1962 AFL Draft.

After the Draft – Undrafted Players

Malcolm Butler is the most famous undrafted player in Patriots history – but he’s hardly alone in that regard. Current center David Andrews was an undrafted free agent in 2015. So was Brandon Bolden in 2012.

Going back further, Adam Vinatieri, Lonie Paxton, Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Stephen Neal, and Ryan Wendell all came to the Patriots as undrafted free agents.

Going Forward

The one thing we can be sure of, is that the Patriots will make multiple deals between now and the end of the draft. They’ll move up, and move down in the draft. They’ll look to add picks in future drafts.

That, and the draft experts will have no idea who Belichick will actually select. Watching the Patriots draft over the years, you know Mel Kiper will always be wrong in his mock drafts for New England.

Three weeks to go, and the show’s about to begin.