Making Sense of the Chandler Jones Trade

We all knew it was coming.

Chandler Jones was bound to leave New England at some point or another. With Jones, Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and Malcolm Butler all also due for an extension, Chandler found himself as the odd man out this week when he got news he was being traded to Arizona. In return for the elite and versatile speed rusher, the Patriots received offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (7th overall pick in 2013 draft,) and a second round pick in this year’s draft.

With next year being the last year on his contract, Jones — we all expect — would want Olivier Vernon money for an extension and with Collins, Hightower and Butler still due big money, and a low salary cap as is, that’s something the Patriots just couldn’t afford to give him right now. In return for Jones, the Patriots get a potentially huge upgrade to the offensive line with Cooper.

Cooper was a first-round pick in 2013 and figures to improve a Patriots offensive line that struggled to protect Brady in this year’s AFC Championship Game loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. He’s started off his career with an injury, and struggled to find a place in the Cardinals’ offensive line. Change of teams, city, and coaching might be exactly what this highly scouted guard needs to jump-start his career.

The Patriots also received Arizona’s second round pick in this year’s draft. Which just so happens to be right after their original second round pick. Now the Pats have the 60th and the 61st pick in the draft. Should be interesting to see who or what Bill Belichick and crew do with those picks.

Some people were worried about the Patriots’ pass rush after this trade, a very noble thought, but a thought you need to worry about no more. The Patriots signed Chris Long to a one year deal. A likable veteran whose stats the last couple years have undoubtedly declined.

Some of you may be thinking how is a one year deal with a veteran defensive end going to save the Patriots’ pass rush? Well let me break it down for you.

1) Gives us depth at defensive end to rotate in with Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard.
2) You now have the ability to extend Sheard’s contract and show him he’s the future of our pass rush.
3) Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers, our 3rd and 4th round picks from last year, now have one more year and one more veteran to help improve and polish their skills in hopes of becoming key players on this defense in future years. If theres one guy who’s good at blossoming players, it’s Belichick.

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So here’s what I think: Long will have four to five sacks this season and Belichick will draft a future star with the draft pick he acquired from Arizona.

In Belichick We Trust.