The New England Patriots have a winning record (4-2) and seem to be on the rise for the first time in a long time. And after defeating the MVP-led Buffalo Bills, the Patriots should consider being active shoppers and sellers at the NFL trade deadline.
According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, there are three players on his list coming out of New England that are candidates to be traded by the deadline on Nov. 4. Schefter identified Anfernee Jennings, Kyle Dugger, and Keion White as possible candidates to be moved by the Patriots.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see these three veterans on the proverbial trade block after an offseason of change that saw very little holdover from the previous regimes before new head coach Mike Vrabel took over in New England.
Anfernee Jennings, Kyler Duggar Reportedly Candidates to be Traded
The systematic changes across the board are the driving factor in each of these players losing a starting role and sliding down the depth chart as the season progresses.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Patriots tried to move on from these players before the start of the season, but they were unable to find a willing trade partner at the time.
When it comes to trading Dugger, it’s hard to justify the contract that is attached to him, as he's one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL on a four-year, $58 million contract that was signed just over one year ago.
Dugger has the fourth-largest contract on the team. That deal has the second-highest cap hit on the team at $15,274,786. Dugger has shown to be more of a hybrid box-safety rather than a traditional coverage safety, and it’s not what Vrabel wants from that position in New England.
I find it surprising that the desire to move on from both White and Jennings is as strong as it is. They provide depth at an already thin position, but they are also just good football players who possess the physical and aggressive qualities that Vrabel wants on his defense.
White and Jennings were both starters on this team last year. In fact, just last week, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said that he still views White as a starter and has high expectations for him.
There’s also something to be said about moving on from these three specific defensive players, as they were all drafted by Bill Belichick. It would align with the way Vrabel moved on from many of the longest tenured players and team captains when he was named head coach in January.
If the Patriots do end up making a trade, they’ll be in the market for a running back, another defensive end, and a safety. It’ll mostly be for depth purposes, especially if a trade of Dugger, Jennings, or White goes through.