The New England Patriots are one of the hottest teams in the National Football League right now. They're riding a four-game winning streak, sitting atop the AFC East, and standing on a 5-2 record after seven weeks.
Even so, good things can always be improved. Considering that, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf will look to add more firepower to the roster before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. And with the Miami Dolphins struggling to stay afloat, the Patriots might want to reach out to their divisional rivals for some pass-rushing help.
The Dolphins just fell to 1-6 on Sunday, and they have another tough challenge in Week 8. They will stay on the road to face the Atlanta Falcons' physical pass-rush, and another loss could open the door for them to trade away EDGE Jaelan Phillips.
Patriots Must Trade for Dolphins DE Jaelan Phillips ASAP
This is a perfect opportunity for the Pats to swoop right in and get him, as they will face the Falcons in Week 9. Phillips could make his debut right away, as he would already be prepared to face Atlanta for the second time in as many weeks. Considering how some trade deadline acquisitions need time to adjust, an early move would be in New England's best interest.
Interestingly enough, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Dolphins are fielding calls for Phillips, while mentioning that the Patriots want to add firepower to their pass rush department.
"The Dolphins are getting lots of calls on pass rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips," Russini wrote. "The Patriots are not making calls for a running back, but they have talked to teams about pass rushers. They’re fielding calls on several of their own players as well."
It's not usual to see teams do trades inside the division, but judging by the way things are shaping up for the Dolphins, they might not even care at this point. They're likely heading toward a long and winding rebuilding road with a different general manager, so it's not like they will be competing with the Patriots for a divisional title.
Besides, Phillips is on an expiring contract, so Miami might prefer to get a draft pick back rather than deal with a return-free exit in March, even if it's from a division rival. His injury woes (19 games played since 2023) and lack of individual accolades will cap any potential price. Perhaps a fourth-round pick plus a future Day 3 selection would be enough to convince the Dolphins; however, the Patriots shouldn't overpay beyond that point.
Despite his team's struggles, Phillips has been pretty good at his job. Through seven gams, he's up to 19 total tackles (11 solo), four QB hits, two tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and one fumble recovered. He also has 25.0 sacks throughout his career, which could provide a boost to New England's pass rush.
The Patriots' defense has already been solid this season, and adding a dynamic defender like Phillips before the deadline could put the unit over the top.