Patriots trade rumors: A Michael Thomas revitalization in New England
Ready for a New England Patriots explosive offseason? Well, Bill Belichick will look to upgrade his team in some key positions through free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft, but don’t be surprised if there is a head scratching or blockbuster deal or two in the mix.
In addressing the teams desperate head for a skilled playmaker, a blockbuster deal with the New Orleans Saints for wide receiver Michael Thomas would certainly turn some heads around the NFL.
But is Thomas even available?
NFL.com writer Adam Rank believes he should be available in his recent article “Five NFL stars who SHOULD be traded this offseason,” and here is his reason why:
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"“The NFL’s top receiver in 2019, Thomas had the worst season of his career in 2020. But the Saints still ended up making the playoffs. And this isn’t a Taysom Hill problem, either. Thomas had at least 84 receiving yards in three of Hill’s four starts. And I feel like Thomas, who’s on the verge of his 28th birthday, still has a lot of juice. But the Saints are in salary cap hell, and while moving Thomas doesn’t solve all of their problems, the team needs a reboot of sorts.”"
Rank went on to note some tension between Thomas and the Saints as further suggestion that these two sides need a change and this is exactly the type of situation where Belichick should make a phone call and get an elite player at possibly a lower price given his performance in 2020.
As Rank also points out, this is a deal that would most likely have to take place post-June 1 due to the dead-cap ramifications the Saints would take, but if you are a Patriots fan you don’t mind waiting giving Michael Thomas is just 28 years old and in a new situation can get back to the level, he was playing at in 2019 when he set the NFL ablaze with 149 receptions for 1,725 yards.
Wouldn’t Michael Thomas look great in a New England Patriots uniform?
In every way, Michael Thomas would be that dream outside target the New England Patriots have been looking for since the day they actually had a franchise quarterback.
In fact, who the Patriots do bring in to start under center in 2021 may have a say in this type of deal. Think Randy Moss prior to the 2007 draft. If the Saints are really disgruntled or frustrated with Thomas, a third rounder and/or player could be enough to entice the Saints to move on.
Give the relationship between Saints head coach Sean Payton and Belichick, this is a possible trade that could be more realistic than most fans may think. The two teams have engaged in trades in the past.
The Patriots sent a first-round pick to the Saints for Brandin Cooks in 2017. In 2015 they acquired Akiem Hicks from the Saints in exchange for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui. Hicks went on to revitalize his career with the Patriots and earned himself a big contract with the Chicago Bears.
But Thomas is a more established talent than both of those players were, so shouldn’t the asking price be higher?
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If this deal is taking place after the NFL Draft, a player and a 2022 first-round pick could be a starting point. But, if the Patriots want to dangle Stephon Gilmore or throw in N’Keal Harry, the draft compensation could be lower.
In any event, Thomas would not only give the New England Patriots a legit No. 1 wide receiver, but they would also be getting an elite NFL talent looking for a revitalization. Given Belichick’s history with those kinds of players, this is a deal that needs to happen.