3 Dream Patriots Trade Targets This Offseason

This offseason is a real sink or swim moment for the New England Patriots. New England has the third-worst cumulative record in the NFL over the last two seasons and is coming off of the departure of head coach/general manager of 24 years, Bill Belichick. The team has looked like a shell of the franchise that cemented itself as perhaps the NFL's greatest dynasty run.

On the glass half full side, New England heads into the offseason with the third-most cap space in the league with nearly $70 million available to spend. The Patriots also possess the number three overall pick, New England's highest draft pick since 1993.

New England needs to pursue any and all avenues to enhance their roster talent both, for 2024 and beyond. Whether it be through free agency, the draft, or trade acquisitions. Looking at the trade route, here are three dream targets for the Patriots this offseason.

3. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears essentially have the entire draft board in the palm of the hands, with three legit options in front of them. They could 1. trade the first overall pick for king's ransom, 2. draft quarterback Caleb Williams, or 3. draft a player at another position with their first pick (presumptively Marvin Harrison, Jr.).

If the Bears ultimately decide to draft Williams, then Justin Fields would be rendered expendable and quickly find himself on the trade market. It is difficult to envision any scenario where there is a quarterback competition in the Windy City and Fields backs up Williams or vice versa.

Fields, the eleventh overall pick in 2021, has 40 NFL games under his belt. He owns a 60.3 percent completion percentage, 6,674 yards passing, and 40 touchdowns to 30 interceptions. A dual threat, the 24-year-old has added 2,220 yards and 14 scores on the ground.

Senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson polled seven NFL executives in December, all of whom generally agreed that the Bears should move on from Fields and draft Williams. Five of the seven executives also pegged Fields' value in the neighborhood of a third-round pick (the remaining two said a second-rounder would suffice).

"The GMs offered a multitude of reasons to trade Fields and pick Williams: the considerable talent Caleb Williams brings to the table, his more refined acumen as a passer, the opportunity to reset with a rookie quarterback contract, needing to make a fifth-year option decision on Fields this spring, when it appears more data is still necessary"

- Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports

So, if Fields becomes available, could New England be interested? Patriots insider Phil Perry floated one such hypothetical trade, suggesting New England could acquire the Ohio State product for the 68th pick. Perry laid out his rationale:

"He would be a bridge quarterback with some upside. He would be the kind of player who'd help you navigate what could be a difficult 2024 with a shuffled offensive line and a playmaker group loaded with question marks. He has the athleticism and arm to create out of structure for a first-time offensive coordinator, too."

- Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston

If the Patriots hold firm at the third overall pick, they will have their choice of either Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. It's as simple as that.

However, New England should remain incredibly cautious of drafting a quarterback just for the sake of it. This doctrine has sunk countless NFL franchises and left them in a never-ending cycle of underwhelming quarterback play.

If they aren't in love with anyone at three, then they could be enticed by the possibility of acquiring a younger quarterback that is more of a known commodity.