New England Patriots
“We’re eight games into what we feel like is a program that we want to build.”
“We all we got, we all we need” has been a rallying cry for the Patriots after wins this season.
And after Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline came and went, it looks as though New England’s front office echoed a similar approach when it comes to targeting outside help.
New England opted to stand pat at the trade deadline, moving forward with the same roster that has jumped out to a 7-2 start this season.
The Patriots’ inactivity comes over a stretch of days where several other teams across the NFL reeled off blockbusters and addressed multiple needs, with the Jets dealing away two franchise pieces in CB Sauce Gardner and DT Quinnen Williams and the Eagles acquiring edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins.
If anything, the Patriots opted to shed players off their roster before Tuesday’s deadline — with the team dealing away Keion White and Kyle Dugger last week.
Even though both White and Dugger struggled to carve out key roles on Mike Vrabel’s defense, it further hampered the depth on a Patriots team that — while in the midst of a six-game winning streak — is operating with a limited margin for error if the injury bug stings.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that New England was not one of the top suitors for elite talents on the trade market like Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle, Jets RB Breece Hall, or Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson.
While reeling off one of those trades could have given this current team a major boost, Vrabel and Co. have been candid about this year being the first of many seasons where the franchise is looking to build a sustainable contender.
Parting with first or second-round picks — especially in order to snag players on expiring deals or stars 30 years or older — would stand as a case of selling out future years for the hope of maximizing a 2025 campaign where the Patriots have exceeded expectations.
“Again, I’ll remind you, we’re eight games into what we feel like is a program that we want to build, and we have to continue to find ways to improve, figure it out and get it right. And that’s all we’re trying to do,” Vrabel said last Wednesday. “Whether that’s having success early on in the season, midseason or after the trade deadline, whatever that may be, I think we just have to continue to take that approach.”
Even if the Patriots didn’t want to part with a first-round pick or a key Day 2 selection, New England could still run into issues later this season as a result of not at least adding some depth across their roster.
Running back, pass-rushers, and the secondary were three areas where New England could have added some help.
New England’s running back room is hampered as Rhamondre Stevenson deals with a toe injury and Antonio Gibson is out for the year with a torn ACL. While New England gained almost 100 rushing yards on Sunday against Atlanta by relying on TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings, the Patriots could have used another pass-catching back for the stretch run.
New England’s pass-rushing capabilities could have also used a spark, as the Patriots have only generated 19 sacks through nine games this season. In Sunday’s one-point win over the Falcons, New England only sacked Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. once.
The Patriots do have a strong secondary with players like Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones, but injuries could expose New England’s depth this winter. New England’s next men up at cornerback are Charles Woods and Alex Austin, while the backup safety position is headlined by Dell Pettus and special-teams ace Brenden Schooler.
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