Day 2 is the Most Important Draft Day of Patriots' Recent History

After weeks of speculation that the New England Patriots were plotting a blockbuster trade to shoot up the first round of the NFL Draft to select their quarterback of the future, we didn't hear a peep from Bill Belichick and Co.

When the dust settled, the only action the Patriots were involved in was trading out of the first round. Given the current state of the franchise, that was probably the best move.

However, that deal now makes Friday into New England's most important day of drafting in their recent history.

The Pats entered the 2020 NFL Draft with a heap of needs, perhaps as many as they've had in at least five years. Given the surplus of talent still available entering the second and third rounds, accumulating as much capital as possible could pay immediate dividends -- but only if the organization hits on the picks.

Thursday's trade with the Los Angeles Chargers sees New England with FIVE selections on Day 2, including the No. 37 overall pick, plus four more between Nos. 71 and 100.

This gives Belichick a plethora of options: He could simply make all five picks straight away or brainstorm a package featuring some of those later selections and really make some noise.

The last time the Patriots traded out of the first round? 2013, when they went on to nab edge rusher Jamie Collins and cornerback Logan Ryan. It's fair to say that worked out, as the former won a Super Bowl ring and made a Pro Bowl in New England, while the latter won two championships in a Pats uniform (interception against Tom Brady in the 2019 playoffs notwithstanding).

Fans in Foxborough had better be hopping that their team strikes similar gold this time around. If that doesn't end up being the case, well, it will send the organization back another year.