ESPN maps out Patriots trade where Lions get their ‘revenge’

Because the Patriots proceed to evaluate their choices forward of Tuesday’s roster cutdown day, the way forward for Anfernee Jennings in Foxborough stays unsure.

The 28-year-old veteran has said all of the right things about wanting to stay in New England as of late, with the 2020 third-round choose additionally producing on the sphere throughout preseason motion (three sacks towards Minnesota). 

Nonetheless, the truth that Jennings was taking part in properly into the fourth quarter of a number of preseason video games doesn’t bode properly for the pass-rusher relating to how he meshes with Mike Vrabel’s revamped defensive unit. 

However, moderately than decide to only lower Jennings earlier than Tuesday’s deadline, might New England try to recoup some belongings by sending him to a workforce that might use his companies?

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell mapped out several trade proposals throughout the NFL on Monday, together with one swap the place New England trades Jennings to the Lions.

Nevertheless, the return for the Patriots could be minimal, as Barnwell maps out a deal the place the Patriots ship Jennings and a 2026 seventh-round choose to Detroit in trade for only a 2026 sixth-round choose. 

Shifting up barely within the 2026 NFL Draft is best than simply chopping Jennings outright on Tuesday, nevertheless it’s not precisely a string haul again for a participant in Jennings who might nonetheless assist out a protection like Detroit’s. 

However, Barnwell mapped out some parallels between his proposed commerce and one which New England struck just a few years again that plucked an influence participant away from Detroit on a budget.

“There was a time when New England as soon as looted the Lions for a proficient, two-way linebacker who didn’t match their system and landed an underrated participant in Kyle Van Noy. The Lions are right here to get their revenge,” Barnwell stated. “A former third-round choose by earlier Patriots coach Invoice Belichick, Jennings is a stout run defender on the sting who had 9 quarterback knockdowns final season throughout 831 defensive snaps. 

“He isn’t an important cross rusher, however he can nonetheless be a priceless a part of a roster as an early-down edge defender.”

The Patriots paid the same worth to amass Van Noy from Detroit in 2016 — buying the then-Lions linebacker and a seventh-round choose in trade for a sixth-round choose in 2017. 

A former second-round choice by Detroit that wasn’t becoming in with the Lions’ defensive scheme, Van Noy thrived in his new environment in Foxborough — changing into a key cog to a protection that gained two Tremendous Bowl titles throughout the 2016 and 2018 campaigns. 

Throughout two stints with New England (5 seasons), Van Noy recorded 316 mixed tackles, 21.5 sacks, 19 cross breakups, and 7 compelled fumbles. 

It stays to be seen if Jennings would orchestrate the same profession renaissance with a workforce like Detroit. However, the writing is on the wall that Jennings’ time with the Patriots is probably going coming to a detailed. 

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.