the Pats became dominant when they struck gold with Brady and have drafted good lineman in the early to mid rounds and then bought/traded for their receiving talent.
However, it is their defense that has made them consistently a great team over the past 8 years and that is what they have built through the draft and it has been built by high first round picks in the front 7.
Richard Seymour - 1st round, 6th overall
Vince Wilfork - 1st round, 21st overall
Ty Warren - 1st round, 13th overall
Jerod Mayo - 1st round, 10th overall
How many 1st rounders have the Bills invested in their current front 7? 0.
trading down is fine. but to be a consistently good team in the NFL you need a great defense and to have a great defense you need elite talent. We need elite talent. If we can trade down and get comparable talent, fine. If not, don't do it.