The roster retooling in Foxborough may continue this season as the New England Patriots look to revitalize their offense and defense after three years of missing the playoffs. This offseason has brought plenty of new faces to New England, notably WR Stefon Diggs, LB Robert Spillane and Harold Landry, and CB Carlton Davis. In addition to free agent signings, the Patriots have brought in a lauded draft class that has lived up to expectations this preseason.
The Patriots don't appear to be settled on their roster, though. After the 53-man rosters are set, there will be some tinkering with both the main roster and the practice squad, but if VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf is to be believed, the Patriots may be looking to add a much more impactful piece in the short term.
Patriots GM's Latest Remarks Reveal Big Change from Bill Belichick Era
In speaking with the media, Wolf stated that the Patriots would be open to trading a first or second round pick for the right player. That's a major departure from the Bill Belichick era of value hunting. Belichick rarely went "big game hunting". His biggest pick for player trades were Wes Welker, Corey Dillon, and Randy Moss, never ceding more than a second-rounder.
As depth charts around the league finalize, there may be a mad scramble to trade some assets rather than cut them and get no value in return. Front offices tend to use 6th and 7th round picks to trade for those players, knowing they may be able to sign them anyway. It would be odd for the Patriots to offer a high-value pick for someone on the roster bubble around the league.
That means turning their attention to players who have requested trades or are in contract disputes. That would have the Patriots looking for Trey Hendrickson, Terry McLaurin, or Micah Parsons. Fans might be holding out hope for a blockbuster trade, but those happen to be positions of depth for the Patriots.
Bringing in Pro Bowl-level talent should be something that the Patriots invest in, but the current market doesn't suggest that this is a screaming priority for the Patriots. The players mentioned heavily in trade rumors would be great additions, but outside of Parsons, may not bring back the right value of a first or second round pick/. It seems like, unless something else develops, Wolf is simply placating fans, and this likely doesn't alter the Patriots' plans.