As they sit atop the AFC East with a clear-blue sky of cap space above them, it makes all the sense in the world for the Patriots to get aggressive ahead of the Nov. 4th NFL trade deadline.
But keep in mind: the big names still, by and large, move in the offseason. We’re a long way away from 1989, when Herschel Walker became a Viking. Moves like Christian McCaffrey to the Niners, (2022), and Von Miller to the Rams, (2021), still happen, but they’re major headlines for a reason.
With all that context, here’s where the Patriots could find some help:
RUNNING BACKS
New England lost a major rotational piece when Antonio Gibson tore his ACL in early October, and the run game has struggled through most of the season.
Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns): Ford’s usage has dwindled while rookie Quinshon Judkins offers the Browns their most explosive offensive option. Ford went from being on the field for 54% of snaps in Week 1 to just 24% against the Patriots in Week 8. He’s just 26 years old and less than two years removed from an 800+ yard season. He’s also a dual-threat, having posted 225 receiving yards last season, and 319 the year before.
Remaining contract: $972,222 through 2025
Keaton Mitchell (Baltimore Ravens): Predicting what the Ravens will do next week is like trying to forecast New England weather. A 2-5 record spells doom for most teams, but they’re in a weak division and still seem to expect Lamar Jackson to return to himself…at some point. Injuries have largely kept Mitchell out of the Raven’s rotation since his 2023 rookie season. He broke out with a 25-yard rush in Week 8’s bizarre win over the Bears, but he’s still not an obvious depth piece for Baltimore behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill – even if John Harbaugh told media the plan is to get him more involved. Mitchell, a former undrafted free agent, is fast and shifty when he’s on the field.
Remaining contract: $572,222 through 2025
Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints): Despite the Saints’ losing record, Kamara does not want to be traded. He recently told ESPN’s Katherine Terrell if he got word of a trade, “I'm going to go drink a piña colada somewhere.” But Kamara’s production, veteran experience, and receiving capabilities are worth mentioning. The Patriots would also benefit from having his pass protection skills in the short-term, while TreVeyon Henderson gets up to speed. However, considering with his future money, this one’s a bit of a longshot.
Remaining contract: $12.97 million through 2026
DEFENSE
New England started the summer with what looked like a supercharged secondary, but they’re close to a house of cards if just one guy goes down, (as seen with Gonzalez’s hamstring). Their pass rush ability has also grinded to a halt after fast starts from Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
Cam Taylor-Britt (Cincinnati Bengals): The Bengals blew a 14-point lead to the Jets in Week 8 and look ready to cruise to Cancun after Halloween. Taylor-Britt, a former second-round pick, has slid down the Bengals’ depth chart to the point of being inactive in Week 7. He’s three years removed from a standout season and has allowed a rough 137.1 passer rating when targeted through six games of 2025. On the plus side, he grabbed three interceptions in 2024 and is just 26 years old. The Patriots may consider him a short-term insurance policy.
Remaining contract: $2.03 million through 2025
Arden Key (Tennessee Titans): Key never played for Mike Vrabel, (he was drafted by the Raiders in 2018), but his explosive play style could bolster the Patriots’ pass rush. He’s a high-effort player who would also fit into New England’s stout run defense.
He’s tallied 1.5 sacks through five total games this year, but had 6.5 total last season, as well as a career-high 24 solo tackles.
Remaining contract: $3.61 million through 2025
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Patriots’ receiving corps has outperformed all expectations, but there’s one interesting possibility if he’s on the trade block.
Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas Raiders): Meyers’ relationship with the Patriots ties back to current offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He maintained his public support for McDaniels after things ended poorly in Vegas, and has since requested a trade, before the start of the 2025 season. His production isn’t quite where it was in 2024, but he has posted the best yards-after-catch stats of his entire career through six games, (4.9, compared to 3.4 average last year). Questions worth asking: does it make sense to take on the rest of his contract, assuming a new, Patriots-friendly deal could be worked through in the offseason? And, is there enough room in the depth chart to justify this move, basically inserting Meyers as a third option behind Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte?
Remaining contract: $5.83 million through 2025