Regardless of what happens during this weekend's game against the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots should be sellers at the NFL Trade Deadline next week. They're 2-5, and while their Week 7 win against the Buffalo Bills was nice, they're still in last place in the AFC East.
Accordingly, Bill Belichick should be looking to dump some veterans in exchange for draft picks over the next weeks. He does have a few players worth holding onto, however, that he should not part ways with.
Here are three Patriots players who shouldn't be for sale at the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
1. Christian Gonzalez
This one goes without saying, but New England shouldn't dump its 2023 first-round draft pick, even if he is hurt.
Gonzalez wasn't just one of the best players on the Patriots before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 4 -- he was one of the best defenders in the whole NFL. The 21-year-old rookie cornerback was tearing it up over his first 4 games, racking up 17 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 sack and 1 interception.
Not only was Gonzalez great in coverage, but he was also an electrifying playmaker, which is something New England desperately needs more of on its roster.
It's a bummer that he's out for the rest of the year, but Gonzalez showed real promise before going down and looks like a franchise cornerstone for years to come. Belichick's drafts have been terrible lately, but he nailed this pick and shouldn't give up on it so soon.
Gonzalez gave us a fleeting taste of his potential this season, but it was more than enough to convince us that he's worth building around.
2. Demario Douglas
Speaking of promising rookies, Douglas looks like a player worth hanging onto as well.
As an undersized (5'8, 190 pounds) sixth-round pick in the spring, Douglas came into this year needing to prove he belonged in the NFL. We all knew he had speed, but there are a lot of fast players around the league. Would it translate into tangible production?
So far, it has. Douglas hasn't done anything mind-blowing, but he's gradually improved and seems to be getting more comfortable with each passing week.
The 22-year-old wideout struggled a bit early on, losing a costly fumble in Week 2 that quickly put him in Belichick's doghouse. Douglas has worked his way out of it, however, and has emerged as an integral part of the offense.
Douglas' speed gives him big-play ability, which is something the Patriots' offense sorely lacks. He has 197 receiving yards on just 14 catches (14.1 yards per reception) and ripped off a 20-yard run in Week 7. Douglas has gotten some action as a punt returner, too, helping out on special teams.
Belichick loves versatile players who can contribute in multiple areas, and Douglas certainly fits the bill. Whether he's running the ball, catching it or returning it, he's someone who can shake defenders with his agility and pick up big chunks of yardage.
Not bad for a sixth-round pick.
3. Kendrick Bourne
Bourne has been the subject of a lot of trade rumors this season, but he should stay in New England. After all, he's one of the few Patriots receivers who's actually producing this year (along with Douglas, of course).
DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster have been massive busts, and New England sure misses Jakobi Meyers. It could have used DeAndre Hopkins, too, but decided not to pay him.
Fortunately, Bourne has stepped up after an extremely disappointing 2022 campaign. He knew he needed to work harder after managing just 434 receiving yards last year, and the extra effort has paid off.
The seventh-year pro has emerged as Mac Jones favorite weapon this season, leading the Patriots in targets (51), catches (34), receiving yards (370) and receiving touchdowns (3). Bourne is the only wide receiver with a touchdown catch so far and has nearly twice as many receiving yard as anyone else on the team.
That's a guy you keep, not trade away. He's been Jones' security blanket all season, and taking him away would have a negative effect on Jones' performance.
Bourne is probably New England's most valuable trade chip, but Belichick should resist the temptation to move him and instead keep him exactly where he belongs.
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