Patriots operating as if they will trade Jimmy Garoppolo or Malcolm Butler?

The New England Patriots currently do not have a pick in the first two rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, but the way they are preparing has led many to believe a significant trade is coming within the next week.

Bill Belichick has always strived to prepare for every possible situation both on and off the field. But there’s a difference between extensive preparation and wasting time. On Thursday, the Patriots held a private workout with former UConn defensive back Obi Melifonwu. After he blew scouts away at the NFL Combine last month, Melifonwu is expected to be drafted somewhere in the late-first or early-second round.

At the moment, New England doesn’t have a pick until the third round (72nd overall). Teams are only allowed to hold private visits with 30 players before the draft, and the Patriots have hosted top talents like Melifonwu, Florida defensive back Teez Tarbor and Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk. As Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com notes, Ramczyk is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the draft and a lock to be taken in the first round. The same can be said of Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham, who spoke at length with Belichick at Vanderbilt’s Pro Day.

Again, Belichick prides himself on preparation. That said, the only way some of the players the team has met with and spoken to would ever end up in New England is if the Patriots acquired a first- or second-round pick. How would they do that? The most likely avenue would be to trade Butler, which one reporter thinks is likely. Garoppolo could also still be dealt, though all indications have been that there is no chance of that happening (read more here).

No matter how you look at it, meeting with some of the best players in the draft makes little sense if your highest pick is No. 72. It sure seems like the Patriots don’t expect that to be their highest pick.