With less than a week remaining before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET, some teams across the league have already made their moves, but the Patriots have yet to get in on the action.
Sitting at 5-3 and firmly in the playoff picture, New England has every reason to explore the trade market and add some much-needed talent to its roster.
After surrendering a 2028 first-round pick for A.J. Brown over the summer, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots' front office may be hesitant to part with another premium draft pick in an effort to win now.
However, there are plenty of potential trade targets who wouldn't require the same kind of return New England gave to acquire Brown.
Whether it's adding depth, addressing a position of need, or bringing in an impact player, the Patriots have options as they look to strengthen their roster for a playoff push.
Here are five trade targets the Patriots could pursue before the deadline.
Jonathan Taylor/Derrick Henry
If the Patriots are looking to make a major splash before the trade deadline, there may be no bigger statement than acquiring an All-Pro running back. Both the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens have found themselves in situations they likely never envisioned when the season began, potentially opening the door for New England to pursue two of the league's best at the position.
The Colts have managed just two wins through the first eight weeks of the season and have struggled to find any consistency. Indianapolis has already traded a pair of All-Pros, sending guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The organization appears to be shifting its focus toward the future and stockpiling draft capital.
While Taylor has been one of the best running backs in franchise history, the reality is that a 27-year-old running back in the middle of his seventh NFL season may not fit the timeline of a team preparing for a rebuild. Taylor has rushed for nearly 1,700 yards and 77 touchdowns during his career in Indianapolis, still, the Colts may have to consider whether moving him now is better than holding onto him through another losing season.
A similar argument could be made for the Ravens, who sit at four wins and have been dealt a potentially season-altering blow with the loss of MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Their situation isn't quite as dire as Indianapolis', but with their season hanging in the balance, Baltimore could begin looking toward 2027 rather than trying to salvage a disappointing campaign.
Henry, meanwhile, continues to defy Father Time. The former Heisman Trophy winner has dominated the NFL since entering the league in 2016 and is still going strong at 32 years old. Through eight weeks, Henry has already accumulated 707 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns, doing much of his damage while playing without Jackson. A running back entering his 11th NFL season would normally be considered a gamble, but Henry has shown little indication that his production is slowing down.
For the Patriots, either player would represent a significant upgrade to an offense that still has plenty of room to grow in the running game. Second-year back TreVeyon Henderson hasn't provided the consistent production New England hoped for, and adding a proven workhorse like Taylor or Henry would give their offense another dangerous weapon.
Even if the move were simply a rental for the remainder of the season, acquiring either back could completely transform the Patriots' offense and give them their best running back since... Corey Dillon?
Khalil Mack
One of the biggest disappointments of the 2026 NFL season has been the Los Angeles Chargers. The pairing of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and quarterback Justin Herbert has failed to live up to expectations, and the team has yet to find its footing.
While the offense has struggled, scoring just nine total touchdowns this season, the defense has been relatively solid, ranking 13th in the NFL in total yards allowed. Mack has also been productive in a somewhat limited role, recording three sacks and 10 tackles while playing roughly 70% of the team's defensive snaps.
At 35 years old, Mack is no longer the All-Pro pass rusher he once was, but his age and expiring contract could make him an affordable trade target. The former Raider and Bear has enjoyed an illustrious career, but a chance to compete for his first Lombardi Trophy could be an appealing opportunity as he potentially approaches the final chapter of his NFL career.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has made it clear that he wants Mack to remain in Los Angeles, saying, "I want Khalil Mack here. Khalil Mack wants to be here. He's one of the pillars of our team." Still, if the Chargers continue to struggle, the possibility of moving the veteran pass rusher shouldn't be completely ruled out.
With a Harold Landry return nowhere in sight, adding a pass rusher with Mack's experience and ability could take an already strong Patriots defense to another level. Given New England's reluctance to surrender another premium draft pick after acquiring A.J. Brown, Mack could be an ideal trade target who wouldn't require a massive investment.
Nashon Wright
While he may not be one of the bigger names rumored to be available ahead of the trade deadline, Wright is an intriguing option for a Patriots team looking to add depth to its secondary.
Wright signed with the Jets this offseason after coming off a Pro Bowl campaign with the Bears in 2025. However, things haven't gone according to plan in New York. Despite the Jets' struggles defensively, Wright has yet to play a single defensive snap this season, making his lack of involvement a puzzling development.
While trading within the division is never ideal, the Jets already appear to be moving on from their offseason addition. If New York is willing to cut its losses, Wright could be available for a relatively modest price.
The Patriots don't have a glaring need at cornerback, but you can never have too much depth in the secondary. And if Albert Breer's reporting is accurate and New England is considering moving on from Carlton Davis, bringing in a player who recorded five interceptions just one season ago makes plenty of sense.
Josh Downs
Coming into the season, the Patriots' wide receiver room looked like it could be one of the team's biggest strengths following the additions of Brown and Romeo Doubs. Instead, the position has quickly become a major concern, with both receivers landing on IR alongside one of Drake Maye's favorite targets, Mack Hollins.
While New England may be hesitant to invest even more resources into a position it believed it had addressed this offseason, the injuries have made it clear that the wide receiver room needs reinforcements.
Enter Downs.
The young receiver has gotten off to a relatively quiet start to the season on a struggling Colts team that appears to be shifting into sell mode. As mentioned above, Indianapolis has already begun moving on from some of its veteran talent, and Downs could be another player worth considering before the deadline.
Downs is in the final year of his rookie contract, meaning the Colts will soon have to decide whether he fits into their long-term plans. If Indianapolis doesn't view him as part of its future, trading him now would allow the team to get something in return rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
His career numbers may not jump off the page, but context matters. The former North Carolina Tar Heel has spent his NFL career catching passes from Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, and Gardner Minshew.
Perhaps the biggest selling point is his familiarity with Maye. The two played together at North Carolina, giving them an existing connection that could help Downs transition into New England's offense. With the Patriots desperately needing healthy, reliable options at receiver, a reunion between the former college teammates could make a lot of sense.
Landon Dickerson
The Patriots have been ravaged by injuries to start the season, and no position group has been hit harder than the offensive line. Both of New England's starting guards entering the season, Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker, are currently sidelined, forcing the Patriots to dig deep into their depth chart to find capable replacements.
Just last week, New England's Super Bowl opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, made a major move to address their offensive line by acquiring Quenton Nelson from the Colts. The Patriots could look to follow a similar blueprint as they try to protect Drake Maye and keep their offense on track.
One potential trade target could be Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson. The Eagles have endured a nightmare season, sitting at just 2-6 while dealing with the loss of starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for the year. With Joe Milton now expected to take over under center, Philadelphia could be approaching a major roster shakeup.
There is also some recent history between the two front offices. The Patriots and Eagles completed a major deal just a few months ago, sending Brown to New England on June 1. That familiarity could make Philadelphia a logical trade partner if the Eagles decide to continue moving veteran pieces.
New England's offensive line struggles were a major factor in its Super Bowl loss last February, and the injuries have only made matters worse this season. Acquiring a 28-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler like Dickerson would give the Patriots an experienced presence up front and could go a long way toward stabilizing an offensive line that desperately needs help.
