The NFL trade deadline is less than a week away — Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.
New England is always one of the most active teams in the league just because Bill Belichick is never afraid to make a deal — heck, just look to a few weeks ago when he traded Stephon Gilmore to the Panthers.
The Patriots have traded for players and traded away players at the deadline, so really anything is on the table. Sitting at 3-4, the Patriots are still firmly in the playoff mix, but trading away a depth player wouldn’t be waiving the white flag when it comes to making a run at the postseason.
Word around the league is it’s not expected to be a huge trading period, but we’ve already seen a few trades go down and there likely will be more to come.
From a Patriots perspective, one thing to keep in mind his their salary cap. They currently only have roughly $3 million in cap space, so trading for a big-name player with a decent-sized contract just would not be financially possible.
WHAT COULD PATRIOTS TARGET?
The Patriots have a few positions that could be addressed. Like we said before, players that potentially get added won’t be team-changing players, rather depth pieces that could help down the stretch.
So, don’t count on a No. 1 receiver, but maybe a veteran cornerback, particularly one with experience in the slot.
This is the No. 1 position of need given the depth chart currently has J.C. Jackson, Jalen Mills, Myles Bryant, Joejuan Williams and Shaun Wade. With that being said, the optics of trading for a cornerback weeks after trading away Gilmore would not be great.
Sticking with defense, a linebacker could potentially be targeted. It certainly isn’t a top need, but with a number of veterans dealing with injuries, another body wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Then on the other side of the ball, running back has to be at the top of the priority list, especially someone who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Following trading away Sony Michel and losing James White for the season, Brandon Bolden, Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor have been asked to play key roles. While Bolden had a tremendous game last Sunday against the Jets as the Patriots’ leading receiver, that’s not sustainable. If a versatile running back is available, the Patriots should be looking into it.
Wide receiver could be another position to target, but they are pretty much set besides a true No. 1 option. Addressing that will likely need to wait until the offseason.
WHO COULD PATRIOTS TRADE?
With all that being said, the Patriots could just as easily trade away one of their own players to pick up a future draft pick.
In terms of players the Patriots wouldn’t mind getting something for, wide receiver N’Keal Harry and Williams are up there. Both are barely playing and could maybe benefit from a change in scenery. It’s hard to see there being a market for either of these players, but you never know.
The Patriots have some depth on the defensive line, so teams who are seeking defensive line help should be calling. Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux and Carl Davis are veterans who could help a team looking to boost its defensive line in advance of a playoff run.
Teams could also look at the offensive line, especially on the interior. When everyone is healthy there is some depth there, but currently that isn’t really the case. The Patriots probably wouldn't want to trade Ted Karras, Shaq Mason or James Ferentz.
LIKELIHOOD OF A TRADE HAPPENING
Never say never with Belichick, but at this point it doesn’t feel like a trade will happen. The team brought in a few veteran cornerbacks to the practice squad this week and really do not have much cap space to work with. And in general, from an optics perspective it really wouldn’t look right trading for any player after trading Gilmore.
And then it doesn’t feel like the Patriots have many players other teams would truly be interested in. The defensive line is probably the exception, but the Patriots would probably like to hold on to those guys.