New England Patriots
The NFL trade deadline is on Nov. 4.
The Patriots’ focus ahead of the trade deadline doesn’t seem to be on improving the talent around Drake Maye.
New England isn’t calling teams searching for a running back, but it is talking to teams about trying to add an edge rusher, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported Saturday. The Patriots have also expressed interest in acquiring a cornerback, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
The Patriots’ reported lack of interest in acquiring a running back ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline might seem like a bit of a surprise. Their running game hasn’t had the effect that many thought it would, with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson each rushing for fewer than four yards per carry this season. New England also ranks 27th in rushing yards per game this season, and its depth took a hit when Antonio Gibson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5.
But the Patriots’ desire in wanting to improve their defense is certainly understandable. They’ve been one of the worst teams at defending opposing quarterbacks this season, ranking 25th in passing yards allowed per game. Opposing quarterbacks also have a 103.8 passer rating against New England this year, which is tied for the seventh-worst mark among all defenses this year. The Patriots have also recorded just four sacks in their last four games.
From a personnel standpoint, the Patriots are relatively healthy at both spots. However, they’ve dealt with injury concerns with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson at points during the regular season.
Still, getting extra depth at either spot wouldn’t hurt. But some of the top names that were thought to be available might not be moved. The Bengals aren’t expected to trade edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, and the Titans don’t want to trade defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Russini reported.
The Dolphins have taken calls on edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, though, according to Russini. Chubb has four sacks this season as he’s been considered one of the league’s better pass rushers for a bit, while Phillips has one sack this year as he’s in his first full season back since tearing his Achilles in 2023.
Elsewhere, Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Titans edge rusher Arden Key have been speculated to be possible trade deadline candidates. Thibodeaux, who the Giants took with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has 2.5 sacks this season, while Key has 1.5 sacks in five games. Key and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel only spent a season together in Tennessee, with the veteran recording six sacks in 2023.
Chubb and Thibodeaux are both under contract for the 2026 season, which might force the Patriots, or any other team, to give up more than they would for a rental player at the deadline. Key and Phillips are both set to become free agents in March.
At cornerback, Riq Woolen of the Seahawks, Rasul Douglas of the Dolphins, and Alontae Taylor of the Saints are among those speculated to be trade candidates. Woolen led the NFL in interceptions as a rookie in 2022, but his play has taken a dip over the last couple of seasons. He’s allowed nine touchdowns to three interceptions since the beginning of the 2024 season, per Pro Football Focus.
Douglas, meanwhile, has been a standout for the Dolphins despite signing in late August. He’s allowed just 145 yards in coverage this season, according to PFF. Taylor’s allowed 200 yards and three touchdowns in the Saints’ first six games.
Woolen, Douglas, and Taylor are all set to become free agents at the end of the season, with Woolen and Taylor reaching the end of their respective rookie contracts.
As the Patriots enter their Week 7 matchup against the Titans 4-2 and in first place in the AFC East, Mike Vrabel recently said the team would be looking to add ahead of the deadline regardless of their record.
“I think we’ll just continue to try to strengthen the roster each and every day. Sometimes those are small moves, maybe bigger ones,” Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday. “But I don’t think that, right now, those conversations are centered around what our record is currently.”
Sign up for Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season.
