The Bears obviously wanted to move out of the No. 4 pick to add an additional first round pick. After failing to reach an agreement with the Patriots, they moved on to the Jets, who dealt the 13th and 22nd picks to Chicago for the fourth overall choice.
The Jets likely made the move to grab top-rated defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, although it's possible they could grab either cornerback Terence Newman or a wide receiver. The timing of the move was mildly surprising because Houston has reportedly expressed an interest in also moving down in the draft from its No. 3 spot.
Generally, a trade such as this would take place once the Bears were on the clock at No. 4 so that the Jets would know the player they want is available. The possibility exists, of course, that New York has one of two players targeted and feels certain it will get one of those two by moving into the fourth spot, especially since the Bengals are locked into Carson Palmer at No. 1.
If the Jets have a specific player in mind – say Robertson – it remains possible that either the Patriots or even the Dallas Cowboys could jump up in front of New York and steal its thunder.
Many mock drafts have Dallas taking Newman with the fifth pick, but some published reports have indicated that Bill Parcells would rather draft a defensive lineman. If Robertson is that player, it probably won't take much for the Cowboys to move up two spots to leapfrog the Jets.
It is widely assumed the Patriots also will target a defensive tackle with their first choice, but the possibility remains that they could move up into the top 10 looking to grab cornerback Marcus Trufant out of Washington State. After all, starter Otis Smith will be 38 in October and Ty Law's cap number continues to grow up near $10 million, meaning something will have to be done with either him or his contract next year at the latest. Tyrone Poole, 31, is the other experienced cover man but is considered a No. 2 or No. 3 corner. Trufant could be the choice if the Patriots are looking for Law's heir, and it may not take both first rounders to move high enough to select him.
New York acquired the 13th pick from the Redskins as compensation for restricted free agent wide receiver Laveranues Coles.
The trade doesn't have much of an impact on New England since the Jets were slated to pick ahead of the Patriots anyway, but does force the Patriots to look to another team if they also hope to move up on Saturday afternoon.
