Patriots work over the NFL yet again, acquire four former first-round picks in 36 hours

There's a reason the New England Patriots are at the top of the NFL ranking year-in and year-out. Despite not having a first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft thanks to the DeflateGate punishment, the Patriots found a way to acquire OL Jonathan Cooper (7th overall, 2013), signed DE Chris Long (2nd overall, 2008), RB

There's a reason the New England Patriots are at the top of the NFL ranking year-in and year-out.

Despite not having a first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft thanks to the DeflateGate punishment, the Patriots found a way to acquire OL Jonathan Cooper (7th overall, 2013), signed DE Chris Long (2nd overall, 2008), RB Donald Brown (27th overall, 2009) and LB Shea Mcclellan (19th overall, 2012), per CBS Sports.

While many of these guys didn't pan out in their respective locations, Bill Belichick and Co. have a way of finding the best possible spots that players other teams believe have fizzled out — except of course Albert Haynesworth, but who's counting?

Add in the second-round pick the Patriots acquired in the deal to send Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Cooper, and New England is one of just six teams to have four selections in the top 100 picks. And as the Patriots have shown over the past decade or so, they're one franchise that historically gets a pick correct and knows the proper value for players in the draft.

With Belichick and the front office intact, don't bet on this group falling apart anytime soon.

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