New England Patriots
The Patriots might use upgrades at working again and several other different areas of the depth chart.
For the primary time in a very long time, it’s trying like we’re going to have a authentic soccer season right here in New England.
The 4-2 Patriots are at present sitting in first place within the AFC East, with Drake Maye’s emergence and Mike Vrabel’s stewardship over a retooling roster placing New England able to go on a run this winter.
However, if New England needs to make the most of what seems to be a wide-open AFC this season, Eliot Wolf and the Patriots’ prime brass may need to be aggressive forward of the Nov. 4 commerce deadline as a way to shore up some deficiencies throughout the depth chart.
“I don’t know if that has a bearing on it,” Vrabel mentioned Wednesday when requested if his staff’s file has any affect on how aggressive they are going to be on the commerce deadline. “We’re simply going to proceed to attempt to strengthen the roster each day. Generally there will probably be small strikes, possibly greater ones.
“I don’t suppose proper now, our conversations are centered round what our file is at present,” Vrabel added. “These issues may also help us construct and strengthen us for long-term constant success. And I feel that’s what we must always attempt to do.”
With commerce rumors anticipated to swirl all through the subsequent few weeks, right here’s a fast have a look at 10 potential commerce targets for the Patriots.
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
If there’s one space that the Patriots must improve within the coming weeks, it’s a listless run recreation that ranks twenty sixth within the league with simply 91.5 speeding yards per recreation this season.
An affect again like Kamara can be a welcome addition to Maye’s rising arsenal of weapons.
He is probably not the All-Professional again he was early in his profession with New Orleans, however Kamara can nonetheless carve up opposing defenses each on the bottom and thru the air.
He has surpassed 750 speeding yards in six of his 9 seasons within the NFL, whereas additionally recording 60 or extra catches in six seasons.
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
There’s some danger concerned with paying a excessive worth for a wideout in Olave who has been tormented by concussion points previously.
However, the 25-year-old wideout can also be a authentic downfield risk who would seemingly be coveted by one other Ohio State alum in Vrabel.
As evidenced by his 53-yard snag on Sunday towards New England, Olave can get downfield in a rush. He’s at present on tempo for 111 catches in 2025. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in two of his 4 full seasons within the NFL to this point.
RB Breece Corridor, New York Jets
It stays to be seen if the 0-6 Jets would even contemplate dealing their prime working again to a divisional rival in New England. However, if Corridor is offered earlier than the deadline, the Patriots must be one of many groups that come calling.
Very similar to Kamara, Corridor is a Swiss Military Knife on an offensive unit, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his profession whereas additionally totaling 133 catches for 1,074 yards throughout each the 2023 and 2024 season.
Not like the 30-year-old Kamara, Corridor can also be simply coming into the prime of his profession at simply 24 years outdated — which is able to doubtless increase his commerce worth even greater if the Jets decide to shifting him.
DE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
The Patriots already boast an affect pass-rushing unit and stout defensive position with gamers like Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Harold Landry, and Ok’Lavon Chaisson in place.
However, swinging a blockbuster deal for an All-Professional cross rusher in Hendrickson might be an enormous add.
Hendrickson — who has recorded a whopping 74.5 sacks over his final 86 video games within the NFL — is precisely the kind of addition that places a rising NFL roster excessive come the postseason.
And contemplating that Hendrickson’s preliminary holdout this yr in Cincinnati was rooted in his need for a brand new contract, a franchise flush with cap house just like the Patriots would be capable of accommodate the 30-year-old veteran’s request.
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
Ford is probably not as flashy a reputation as Kamara or Corridor, however the fourth-year again affords each upside and safety to a Patriots running-back group that has been tormented by turnovers and inefficiency to this point this yr.
Ford was a vivid spot on Cleveland’s offense in 2024, averaging a powerful 5.4 yards per carry (565 yards off 104 speeding makes an attempt) whereas additionally getting knocked for only one fumble throughout his 50-game NFL profession.
If the Patriots are searching for one other reliable possibility to fit into the depth chart as each Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson look to seek out their footing, Ford stands as an intriguing add.
CB Roger McCreary, Tennessee Titans
The Patriots have a really sturdy cornerback grouping in place between Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and Carlton Davis. However, if the inevitable harm bug stings this personnel grouping, the depth behind this trio leaves loads to be desired.
And, if the Patriots wish to add one other dependable possibility of their defensive backfield, the 5-foot-11 McCreary makes loads of sense on a cellar-dwelling Titans staff.
Whereas Jones is within the midst of a profession yr, easing a few of his reps and avoiding extra put on and tear can be useful to each participant and staff — which might open the door for New England to focus on a nickel nook in McCreary with three interceptions and 17 cross breakups in his profession.
McCreary additionally has loads of historical past with Vrabel, because the Patriots head coach was nonetheless in Tennessee when the Titans drafted him within the second spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Auburn.
Edge Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins
If the Patriots wish to go for extra of a worth add as they scour the marketplace for pass-rushers, Phillips might make sense as a 26-year-old edge whose recreation has been hindered by accidents.
A former pass-rushing standout who recorded 22.0 sacks over his first 42 video games within the NFL, Phillips has solely appeared in 18 video games during the last three years on account of a number of accidents. He has only one sack to this point this yr with Miami, but PFF has him tabbed with a 75.2 PFF pass-rushing grade with 16 pressures and a 17.7% pass-rush win price.
WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
He’s not an explosive pass-catcher, but when New England needs a low-risk, regular receiving possibility to position alongside wideouts like Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, an outdated pal like Meyers would examine off loads of containers.
Meyers has been as regular as they arrive over the previous couple of seasons as a no-frills slot wideout, dropping simply 5 passes for the reason that begin of the 2023 season.
One of many knocks towards Meyers — who surpassed 1,000 yards off of 87 catches final yr in Vegas — has been his lack of producing yards after the catch. However the 28-year-old veteran is averaging a career-best 5.6 yards after the catch per reception this yr on an underwhelming Raiders offense.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore Ravens
After spurning the Patriots in free company in 2023, might Hopkins make amends as a commerce addition for New England this fall? Whereas the 1-5 Ravens have been an enormous disappointment this season, Hopkins has been a vivid spot.
The 33-year-old wideout and five-time Professional Bowler has reeled in 9 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns this yr, with PFF’s 92.7 receiving grade for Hopkins standing because the second-highest mark amongst receivers to this point this yr.
He’s not the All-Professional expertise he was throughout his days with Houston and Arizona, however Hopkins can be a harmful addition to a Patriots receiver corps already on the come-up.
LB Jamal Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
A Patriots linebacker group that was already skinny coming into this season might use some reinforcements, particularly in terms of an addition that may maintain his personal in protection.
Adams — who has spent a majority of his profession as a bodily security — might match the invoice after changing to linebacker this season with Las Vegas.
The previous All-Professional defensive again isn’t going to be a featured participant on protection at this stage of his profession, however Adams sports activities an 78.7 PFF protection grade and solely 47 yards allowed on 70 protection snaps to this point this yr with the Raiders.
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