How important is it for teams to protect their information/strategy before and during the NFL Draft? Well, as it turns out, it can be the difference between getting a cornerstone player and losing him by just a couple picks.
The New England Patriots almost didn't get the opportunity to acquire left tackle Matt Light in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
The Pats were at pick No. 50 in Round 2 and the rival New York Jets were just ahead of them at pick No. 49. The Jets wanted Light, but as former Patriots exec Scott Pioli revealed on NFL Network this week, New York didn't do a good enough job hiding their interest in the Purdue offensive lineman.