5 Patriots Who Should Be Traded to Rebuild for 2024

2. Hunter Henry, Tight End

Kendrick Bourne wasn't the only player New England targeted in 2021 to help their passing attack. They also went after two big-name tight ends, signing Jonnu Smith to a four-year deal worth $50 million while also signing Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal that same offseason.

Bourne and Henry are still under contract but Smith was traded to the Atlanta Falcons ahead of this season for a late-round pick.

Smith never turned out to be the threat New England hoped he would as he had just 28 receptions in 2021 and 27 in 2022. Through the first five games in Atlanta, he's been vastly improved with 21 receptions already.

Henry has been much better in New England than Smith with 603 yards in 2021 and 509 in 2022. That could make him very enticing as a trade piece considering the improvement Smith showed when leaving — perhaps another franchise could see Henry as being capable of even more than he's done.

The former L.A. Charger is another player set to hit the open market in 2024 — as will fellow tight end Mike Gesicki. Henry might not be in the plans given his age (he will be 29 in December) making him another ideal player to flip for draft capital.