The move makes sense for a number of reasons. First, the Patriots have two first round picks, #17 from Oakland in the Richard Seymour trade and their own pick at #28. The team is in a great position to leverage those picks and move up into the top 3. And expect teams to be willing to trade those high picks for multiple picks because this draft has a lot of depth, but few no-brainer, impact players.
Second, the Patriots wide receivers are getting older. Wes Welker will be 30 in May and Deion Branch turns 32 in July. They need some young legs in their receiver corps. Also, they need a player with size on the outside, who can stretch the field. Flexing tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski is effective, but they aren't fast enough to clear out defenders.
Third, Green is by far the best wide receiver in the 2011 draft class. He would be an instant upgrade at the position and he wouldn't cost as much as a high-priced free agent like Sidney Rice.
If the rumors are true, the Patriots are smart in their thinking. Green is a playmaker who will do very well with Tom Brady throwing to him.
