Patriots Just Got Gifted Perfect Trade Opportunity to Boost Defense

The New England Patriots had a myriad of things go wrong for them in 2024 — especially on offense. Try as they might, the Patriots struggled to consistently generate points regardless of who they played, resulting in their finishing the season with the third-worst offensive grade (63.2) on Pro Football Focus.

While the offense was a constant source of headaches among Patriots fans, the team's defense was far from the worst. Sure, a 64.7 defense grade (24th) isn't much to write home about, New England still ranked above average when it came to tackling (74.9, 2nd) and coverage (68.8, 15th).

Assuming they want to improve across all defensive categories, the Patriots are in luck because the perfect trade target was made available earlier this week.

Patriots Should Target Bengals LB Germaine Pratt

On Wednesday, NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals. Rapoport hints that the Bengals' decision to fire defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo — who was close to Pratt — factored into the request.

Pratt, 28, has been one of the Bengals' most impactful defenders in recent years. The former NC State defender proved that fact during a productive 2024 campaign where he paced his teammates with 80 solo tackles while adding six defended passes, two defended passes, and a pair of interceptions in 17 appearances.

Although he's solid in multiple areas, Pratt truly excelled at stopping opposing running backs last season, ending the year with a 70.1 run defense grade on PFF — the 37th-best effort among 86 eligible LBs.

For reference, the Patriots finished with the fourth-worst run stoppage grade (62.1).

Pratt is entering the final season of the three-year, $20.25 million contract he signed with the Bengals, and will carry a $7.9 million cap hit in 2025, per Spotrac. That number is extremely digestible for the Patriots, who lead the NFL with about $123.5 million in cap space this offseason.

As for the price the Patriots may have to pay, landing Pratt likely won't cost an arm and a leg. The veteran defender is on an expiring contract, meaning New England might only have to pay a Day 3 pick or two to pry him from Cincinnati — especially since a trade opens $5.6 million in cap space for the latter.

Pratt is the type of impact player who can help the Patriots take one step closer to a postseason return next year. Having said that, a potential trade can't take place until the new NFL calendar officially begins on Wednesday, March 12.

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