Could the Patriots be Preparing to Trade for Peppers?

Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald, brings up an interesting piece of speculation involving the New England Patriots and Carolina's disgruntled DE Julius Peppers.

Julius Peppers has said publicly for the last few months that he would like to try playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive alignment, and would have likely had that opportunity as a free agent, had the Carolina Panthers not hit him with the franchise tag.

Peppers also went public that he would only agree to a trade to certain teams: two teams from the NFC South, the Dallas Cowboys and an unnamed AFC Team.

The New England Patriots on the other side of the coin have just recently opened up a spot at OLB with the trade of Mike Vrabel and have four draft picks in the first day of the draft (23rd, 34th, 47th and 58th overall picks), so they have negotiating room for a trade.

If the Carolina Panthers refused the trade, Bill Belichick may be arrogant enough to go the offer sheet route as the Patriots also recently created a large amount of cap space in the Vrabel trade by including QB Matt Cassel and his $14.7 Million contract. If the Panthers were unable to match the offer the Patriots would have to send pick #23 this season and their first round pick next season, but a talent like Peppers' under the tutelage of Belichick may be worth the obscene asking price.

Too many of the pieces fit together for it to not happen, and if it does NFL teams watch out the already dangerous Patriots could become unstoppable.