New England Patriots
“They’re getting ready to make what they believe is a second-half run.”
The Patriots could use some reinforcements in the run game this fall, given that New England ranks 26th in the league in rushing yards per game.
But could Eliot Wolf and his staff pull off a blockbuster and bring in one of the top running backs of this generation in Derrick Henry?
The five-time Pro Bowler was once again expected to be a key cog on a Super-Bowl caliber Ravens team this year — especially coming off a 2024 season where the former Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 1,921 yards and a league-leading 16 touchdowns.
But the Ravens have imploded this season, with several critical injuries having Baltimore mired near the bottom of the AFC with a 1-5 record.
Dealing away the 31-year-old Henry for a haul of picks could allow the Ravens to retool on the fly.
And — given New England’s evident need for a go-to running back, their standing as a team on the upswing in a wide-open AFC, and the abundant resources available for Wolf and Co. in terms of draft picks and cap space — the Patriots would make sense as a viable destination for Henry.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons breathed more life into such a scenario while mapping out potential Patriots trades on Monday during a new episode of his podcast.
“What pick would get their attention?” Simmons said of the Ravens. “Like our second? What if our second and Rhamondre [Stevenson]? They got to take Rhomandre; they need a running back. You know who used to work together? Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel. Yeah, they used to have a really great relationship once upon a time.”
But during an appearance on “WEEI Afternoons” on Tuesday, longtime ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter threw cold water on any talk of the Ravens trading away
“No, it’s not going to happen,” Schefter said on WEEI on Tuesday. “I can tell you, I spoke to people in Baltimore. They’re getting ready to make what they believe is a second-half run. Now, my guess is if Baltimore comes back from the break and loses two games back-to-back and falls to, at that point in time, 1-7, then that last week, maybe all bets are off.”
Despite Baltimore’s struggles, Henry has largely been as advertised this season with the Ravens, rushing for 439 yards (5.0 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns.
Even if the Ravens plan on holding onto Henry, the Patriots could pivot to several other intriguing running backs expected to hit the trade market — including Saints standout Alvin Kamara.
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