We're all well-aware of the Patriots' drafting ways over the years: stock picks, only to trade them away until the next season.
But that didn't happen this time around -- quite the opposite actually. They traded up for Syracuse DE Chandler Jones, and then again for Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower.
Mind. Blown.
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Consider the moves a bit of a pleasant surprise to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, too. Kraft was obviously in the war room with other Patriots front office staff, and got on the phone with Hightower shortly after the decision was made.
In typical Kraft form, he notes something about Hightower that won't show up in the stat sheet, while also letting him in on a well-known secret about the organization.
"Dont'a, welcome. It's great to have you as a Patriot," Kraft said to Hightower, in a video posted by Patriots.com. "I know you were Captain of the Crimson Tide for two years. What I love in reading reports about you is how respectful you are of your mother. It really means a lot. It says something about the kind of guy you are. I know that Alabama Coach Nick Saban praised you. So we're excited to have you up here. We don't trade up too often. So I look forward to meeting you and seeing you here."
Hightower is set to be at Gillette Stadium in the "Place that Kraft Built" Friday. Chances are he'll be more impressed with Kraft, than Kraft is with him.