The New England Patriots are in a great position after upsetting the Bills in Buffalo in Week 5. With their next four games coming against likely zero playoff teams in the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and the Atlanta Falcons, Mike Vrabel's team could easily find itself sitting at 6-3 or even 7-2 at the Nov. 4 trade deadline. This would almost guarantee that the Patriots will be buyers as they look to upgrade the roster in positions of need.
A Patriots win on Sunday would signal the exact opposite for the Saints. It will push them to 1-5, and will undoubtedly make them sellers at the trade deadline. As an old and expensive team that is not going anywhere, New Orleans will almost certainly look to move some of its pieces with trade value. This could present an opportunity for New England.
Patriots May Have a WR Trade Opportunity with the Saints After Week 6
Where an opportunity could present itself is at the wide receiver position. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed continue to be productive despite playing in a less-than-ideal QB situation with Spencer Rattler under center. Olave has 33 catches for 244 yards, and Shaheed has 22 catches for 288 yards through five games. Shaheed's contract expires after this season, and Olave has only one more season on his deal after the Saints picked up his fifth-year option, meaning that they could both walk as free agents sooner rather than later. Instead of letting valuable players sign elsewhere in free agency, the Saints would be wise to make them both available at the trade deadline.
Olave and Shaheed are already creating trade buzz, alongside star running back Alvin Kamara. The Saints are just beginning a long and painful rebuild, and getting as much return as possible for veterans who will likely not be a part of the next great Saints team makes sense.
Considering his age and upside, Olave should be near the top of New England's list. He has obvious health concerns after suffering four known concussions in his three-and-a-half seasons in the NFL. When he has been available, however, he has been a 1,000-yard receiver.
Stefon Diggs has proven to be a WR1 so far this season, but the depth behind him in New England is questionable. Kayshon Boutte has emerged as a solid option, but the Patriots need another high-upside receiver, especially considering Diggs' age. Olave could come in as the WR2 and push Boutte to a WR3 role that fits better for him.
A mid-round pick should get the job done for Olave, but whether the Patriots' front office aggressively pursues such a move remains to be seen.