Looking for a takeaway from the New England Patriots draft?

Bill Belichick is going to be coaching this team in 2019.

For all the drama that the Patriots have gone through the last six months, with the reported discord between Belichick, owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom Brady, and a Super Bowl loss that questioned Belichick’s coaching, it sure seems like Belichick is planning for the future.

This year the Patriots did what the Patriots do in the draft – trade, trade and then trade some more. Eight in all.

This time they traded out of the third and fourth rounds, and picked up a second- and third- round pick in 2019.

Based on my Twitter mentions, it was a frustrating draft for fans who wanted to see Brady’s successor selected, or a linebacker, or an edge rusher. Or simply anybody at any position.

But there’s got to be a plan, right? Why else would they do that if Belichick wasn’t planning on being here in 2019 to coach those picks?

Or is it as simple as they didn’t like this draft?

Methinks Belichick will be here.

This wasn’t a sexy draft; none ever are when you’re not picking in the top 10. But it was a typical Patriots draft.

They made some picks that caught many by surprise, simply because no one figured the Patriots would make that selection at that point. But that’s also one of their draft traits: You never know what to expect from the Patriots.

The Patriots didn’t draft Tom Brady’s successor – unless Danny Etling of LSU (seventh round, 219 overall) turns out to be as driven as Brady (sixth round, 199th pick) – but they did address their biggest need with their first-round selection of Georgia tackle Isaiah Wynn with the 23rd pick. At 6-foot-3, 313 pounds, he looms as the successor to Nate Solder, the left tackle who departed as a free agent to the New York Giants. Even though the Patriots picked up offensive tackle Trent Brown from San Francisco for a third-round pick late Thursday night, Wynn should be the starter at left tackle.

He played left guard and tackle for the Bulldogs, and is considered an exceptional pass blocker and nasty run blocker. He should be solid on the line for a long time. His versatility is a plus, especially if the Patriots want to play Brown.

From there the draft got interesting. A running back with their second first- round pick at 31, not a linebacker?

Sony Michel, who happened to be Wynn’s roommate at Georgia, became a Patriot at that slot. With six running backs already, no one expected the Patriots to take one at that point. Maybe in the second round, maybe the third.

But Michel is considered a game- changer, with 3,638 yards in his college career and 33 touchdowns. He averaged 7.9 yards a carry as a senior. He’ll be another matchup nightmare.

They drafted a cornerback, Duke Dawson of Florida, a guy New England targeted early and traded up to get in the second round. He’s physical, athletic and should fit in well as a slot corner.

After missing out on the third and fourth rounds, New England did draft two linebackers, Ja’Whuan Bentley of Purdue (fifth round, 143 overall) and Christian Sam of Arizona State (sixth round, 178 overall). Both are effective run stoppers – former Patriot linebacker Rosevelt Colvin tweeted that he saw Bentley cause “at least nine fumbles in three games” – but neither is considered effective in the pass game.

Bentley was Purdue’s first three-year captain and the Patriots value leadership roles. They also value the clutch receiving skills of receiver Braxton Berrios of Miami – taken in the sixth round (210 overall) – and the ball security of a quarterback like Etling, who threw two interceptions in his senior year .

Cornerback Keion Crossan of Western Carolina (seventh round, 243) had 165 tackles in his career. The Patriots love defensive backs who can tackle. Tight end Ryan Izzo of Florida State, New England’s last pick at 250, is considered a strong blocker. Again, the Patriots value blocking at that position.

Each player selected in the sixth or seventh round had a trait the Patriots value. Whether they’re on the field next fall remains to be seen.

But this draft had the look of the future. And it certainly looks like Belichick has his hand in it.

Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or:

mlowe@pressherald.com

Twitter: MikeLowePPH

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