The New England Patriots are coming off a massive win over the Buffalo Bills. This puts them in a prime position to make another trade to maximize their potential this season.
Not only did they lose A.J. Brown to injury, but Mack Hollins also went down on Sunday. They desperately need to add another playmaker at receiver. They could take a big swing on somebody like Marvin Harrison Jr. or Brian Thomas Jr., or make a lower-level trade like going to get Stefon Diggs back.
Either way, they need to add somebody, ideally somebody who can be an outside “X” receiver in the absence of Brown and Hollins. If they get a high-potential player like MHJ or BTJ, they would have an arsenal of weapons when Brown returns.
Could the Patriots also look to the edge rusher market to get some help in the pass rush? Let’s dive into how New England could attack the trade market.
The Patriots are back, now is the time to go all-in for another WR
The Patriots shook off the rust and look to be back to form. Drake Maye is back to lighting it up, the defense looks suffocating (even with Christian Gonzalez and Christian Barmore injured), and they look to have their juice back as an entire team.
Obviously, when New England plays like this, they are a clear playoff team, and with Maye on a rookie contract, now is the time to load up the roster. They obviously made a massive move getting Brown to Foxborough, but with multiple injuries, it’s time to acquire another weapon.
Some fans are making the case for a reunion with Diggs or Kayshon Boutte, but I would love to see a trade for upside. Harrison Jr. or Thomas Jr. could both use a change of scenery to rejuvenate their careers. What better place than with a 24-year-old quarterback coming off an MVP runner-up season? If New England can acquire one of these weapons for reasonable draft capital, I’d pull the trigger immediately.
Either MHJ or BTJ could be the primary outside receiver until Brown returns, and when he does, Josh McDaniels will have a weapon he can move all around the formation, with Brown taking over the “X” receiver duties. There has been a lot of speculation about the Patriots looking into the trade market for another receiver, and fans should be very excited for the potential of another weapon to help Maye.
Will the Patriots look to add more pass rush help?
The Patriots have some good pieces at the edge rusher position. Rookie Gabe Jacas has shown some serious flashes of being an absolute stud, Dre’Mont Jones has been a strong presence when he’s been healthy, and Elijah Ponder has shown that he can be a serious contributor on this defense.
However, three players aren't enough for a sturdy edge room, especially since Jones has already missed some time with injury. With that being said, the Patriots should 100% be looking into edge rushers on the trade market. I wrote last week about a potential reunion with K’Lavon Chaisson, who could add some real fire to the pass rush, and would likely not cost much in a trade. But the player I have been all in on for New England is Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
A former top-five pick, serious size and athleticism, and the burst off the line that could make him an absolute weapon in this defense. Dropping him into a defensive line consisting of Milton Williams, Barmore, Jacas, and Jones would be quite a bit of fun to watch, not to mention the defensive mastermind of Zak Kuhr calling plays who could scheme up some favorable matchups.
Overall, New England should be aggressively exploring the market at the edge rusher position, and I believe Thibodeaux would be the perfect fit.
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