Ranking top priorities for Patriots at NFL trade deadline

New England Patriots

The Patriots have several needs, including another running back and an edge rusher.

The 7-2 Patriots have some decisions to make this week.

Even with New England in the midst of a six-game winning streak, it’s evident that there are a few deficiencies across the depth chart that Eliot Wolf and the Patriots’ top brass could shore up ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

“We have to look at everybody and understand how they can help us. We would have to do our homework on somebody. I don’t think that there’s a lot of guys with issues out there,” Vrabel said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Monday. “We never want to disrupt the locker room. We also want to bring in good players that we think could fit. Maybe they haven’t been around our program or we don’t necessarily know them, but we would still welcome them.  

“I don’t know who that is. It would be on a case by case basis,” he added. “So I think we would have to look at everybody that could potentially help us or make us better. I don’t think that that’s a huge concern. If there was a red flag, or somebody was like, ‘This isn’t going to work,’ then we wouldn’t explore it.”

With the deadline now less than 24 hours away, here’s a look at the Patriots’ top needs before rosters get locked in for the second half of the season.

6. Linebacker

Robert Spillane has really elevated his game as of late after a slow start — developing into a key cog on this Patriots defense. But New England’s overall linebacking corps is very thin — and could run into more issues with Christian Elliss suffering a hip injury on Sunday against Atlanta. 

Given that Vrabel and his coaching staff have prioritized smaller, more agile linebackers who can drop into coverage — a former safety-turned linebacker like Vegas’ Jamal Adams could be a worthwhile flier as more of a hybrid player who has been strong when dropping back on plays. 

5. Safety 

The Patriots have largely held their own this season with a new starting duo of rookie Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins — a sizable departure from the previous starting duo of Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger.

Still, this a thin positional group, especially after the team traded away both Peppers and Dugger at various stages earlier this season. If one of Woodson or Hawkins gets hurt, the next men up would be Dell Pettus, special-teams ace Brenden Schooler, and John Saunders Jr. — who was signed off of Miami’s practice squad. 

Even if it’s more of a depth add, another solid veteran would likely be a welcome addition to this group before Tuesday’s deadline.

4. Cornerback

Much like the safety position, the Patriots — on paper — at least have a solid starting unit between an All-Pro CB1 in Christian Gonzalez, a great slot corner in Marcus Jones, and a suitable CB2 in Carlton Davis. 

Even if Davis has been a bit uneven in the first year of his three-year, $54 million contract, the Patriots don’t necessarily have to pay a premium to acquire another CB2 this season. 

But, New England is playing with fire when it comes to the lack of depth in their secondary — as Charles Woods and Alex Austin could be pressed into featured roles if the injury bug bites. Austin impressed last season, but he was leapfrogged earlier this year by Woods as he adjusts to a new defense. 

If the Patriots are looking for value — and are trying to kill two birds with one stone — acquiring a versatile defensive back capable of playing both corner and safety could satisfy New England’s needs to add some depth in their secondary before Tuesday’s deadline.

3. Wide receiver

Adding another weapon for Drake Maye has plenty of appeal, especially when it comes to energizing a fanbase that is already having dreams of New England playing well into January. 

But, if the Patriots are realistically searching for another top pass-catcher to pair with the likes of Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas, it’ll come at a steep price if New England actually wants to pry a game-changing talent like Chris Olave, A.J. Brown, or Jaylen Waddle away from their respective teams.

It seems unlikely that a true Super Bowl contender like Philly would even want to trade Brown despite his discontent, while New England would realistically have to part with a premium draft pick or two to realistically add a true star receiver in their prime like Olave or Waddle. 

Of course, the Patriots could seemingly justify giving up a first or second-round pick if they’re able to bring in an elite talent with years of team control in place. But it remains to be seen if such a deal can realistically be struck — and whether or not New England would be willing to pull the trigger on such a move. 

Even if the Patriots don’t bring in a WR1, Boutte’s hamstring injury does raise some concerns — and perhaps prompts questions over whether or not New England needs to add some pass-catching depth.

2. Running back

New England was able to generate 90 rushing yards on Sunday between rookie TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings.

But, with Antonio Gibson out for the season with a torn ACL and Rhamondre Stevenson currently hampered with a toe injury, the Patriots could use another reliable option to turn to as far as the ground game is concerned.

While it might be a stretch to expect the Jets to trade away one of their top weapons in Breece Hall to the Patriots, New England could find plenty of value out on the market when it comes to running backs better suited for more of a complementary role — similar to Gibson’s projected reps before his injury. 

One name to keep tabs on is Cleveland’s Jerome Ford — who averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry (565 yards off 104 rushing attempts) during the 2024 season while also getting knocked for just one fumble across his 52-game NFL career.

A stable option like Ford would bolster New England’s depth at running back, while other value adds could include Vegas’ Zamir White and Miami’s Jaylen Wright. 

1. Edge rusher

This one is a no-brainer. 

If the Patriots’ want to make some noise later this winter, they’re going to have to bolster their pass-rushing corps and add another game-breaker to this roster.

While New England’s defense has been stout this season when it comes to halting the opposition’s ground game, the Patriots need to put other QBs under duress over a more consistent basis. 

In a one-point win over the Falcons where Atlanta QB Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdowns to Drake London, New England only managed to generate one sack against him. 

In total, New England has 19 sacks through nine games this season — with most of that generated by the duo of K’Lavon Chaisson (5.5 sacks) and Harold Landry (5.5).

Both players have been key offseason pickups for New England, but more help is required in that department — especially with Landry generating zero sacks and just four tackles in his last two games. 

Losing out on Miami’s Jaelan Phillips on Monday (traded to Philly for a 2026 third-round pick) is a tough one for the Patriots, who could have used the potent pass-rusher to wreck opposing drives during critical situations. 

But be it a big name like Hendrickson or a player with ties to Vrabel like Tennessee’s Arden Key, expect the Patriots to be aggressive over the next 24 hours as they try to add some additional pass-rushing talent.  

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.