Here are three trades the Patriots can make before the deadline to bolster their playoff push.
Fans in New England who were chomping at the bit to see how the team would respond following its demoralizing loss to Kansas City last Monday night — the Pats remained competitive for three quarters despite woeful quarterback play — unfortunately did not have that luxury this weekend.
After announcing a fourth positive COVID-19 test, the Patriots’ matchup with Denver, which was initially scheduled for Sunday, was postponed until Week 6. In the grand scheme of things, that decision can almost be viewed as a fortunate turn of events as it increased the chances of signal caller Cam Newton returning for that game.
On top of that, none of the Patriots’ other games were reshuffled as they were originally supposed to serve their bye in Week 6. Speaking of which, fans should be hoping that head coach and de facto Bill Belichick is using this unexpected layoff to closely examine the flaws of the roster.
Broncos-Patriots game is being moved to next Sunday, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
Broncos were supposed to play Miami; that won’t happen. That game is being rescheduled.
After all, only two weeks remain until the 2020 trade deadline and the Patriots could really prove to benefit from making some additions. In terms of their biggest weaknesses, we would point to the front seven, wide receiver and tight end positions.
With that in mind, let’s highlight some trades Belichick can pull off before the cutoff. It might surprise you, but there are several players who could be made available by their respective franchises.
3. Trade for AJ Green
The Patriots passing game could really use an injection of dynamism.
As much as we commend Newton for publicly stating that the Patriots don’t need to trade for a wide receiver — Tom Brady probably would have said otherwise — it doesn’t change the fact that the team’s aerial attack desperately lacks a dynamic dimension.
N’Keal Harry is a big-bodied target who could prove to become a red zone monster, but he doesn’t flaunt a ton of speed. The same can be said for Julian Edelman, who is more shifty and slippery than he is agile. On top of that, the 34-year-old vet has also continued to struggle with drops, with his latest resulting in a backbreaking pick-six against the Chiefs in Week 4.
Further, the emergence of Damiere Byrd has been a nice story, but he simply has no business being the No. 3 wideout on a team with playoff aspirations. All of these glaring flaws at the WR position should prompt the Patriots to trade for Bengals star AJ Green, who could really use a change of scenery at this point in his career.
We obviously want to know the extent of the hamstring injury Green suffered in Week 5 before we commit to the Patriots striking a deal for him, but our guess is that it isn’t too serious. The fact of the matter is that the seven-time Pro Bowler has struggled to develop a rapport with rookie gunslinger Joe Burrow, registering 14 receptions for 119 yards (34 targets) through five games.
This could force Cincinnati to make him available via trade ahead of the deadline, and the Patriots shouldn’t think twice about getting the AFC North bottom-feeders on the phone. Playing eight seasons on the Bengals would slow any superstar down and we couldn’t think of a better place for Green to turn his career around than New England.
2. Trade for Ryan Kerrigan
The Patriots’ pass rush has been the very definition of average this season.
Losing the likes of edge rushers Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy to free agency was always going to hurt the Patriots’ pass rush. However, the task to replace their production became all the more difficult after linebacker Dont’a Hightower opted out of the 2020 season.
The Patriots’ efficiency at rushing opposing quarterbacks has unsurprisingly suffered the consequences as they currently rank 25th in the NFL with just 1.5 sacks per game through the first month. For added context, Belichick’s group also ranks 15th in total QB hurries (58) and 16th in QB knockdown percentage (7.6%).
That’s precisely why trading for Ryan Kerrigan is a great idea. For starters, he’s currently in the final year of his contract, so Belichick can decide based on his play whether or not he wants to sign him to a short-term extension. The four-time Pro Bowler has become an afterthought on Washington’s stout defensive line, and you can bet that he’s clamoring for more playing time in a contract year.
Kerrigan is a consummate professional, so he might not push for a trade, but he should at least let his frustration known to head coach Ron Rivera and the front office. Injuries have been a concern for the 32-year-old vet of late, but he also went the first eight years of his career without missing a game while being remarkably productive.
Since his rookie year in 2011, Kerrigan has logged at least 8.5 sacks in every season except 2019, when he missed four games due to injury. To say that he would change the entire dynamic of the Patriots’ front seven would be an understatement and he could be theirs for nothing more than a late-round draft pick.
1. Trade for Jack Doyle
The Patriots have zero excuse not to trade for a tight end ahead of the deadline.
It’s been regurgitated countless times throughout the offseason and across the first month of the 2020 campaign, and it’s unfortunately as relevant as ever: The Patriots need to equip Cam Newton with a competent tight end. The 31-year-old quarterback has clearly exceeded expectations so far, but he simply won’t reach his full potential without having a reliable security blanket to target in the middle of the field.
Since the Patriots’ ceiling is obviously contingent on Newton’s play, it would only make sense for them to bolster the position ahead of the trade deadline. Ryan Izzo is currently getting most of the snaps, but he’s failed to register a catch in each of the last two games.
The Patriots used a pair of third-round picks on Virginia Tech star Dalton Keene and UCLA standout Devin Asiasi back in April. However, the former has yet to be active and the latter has played an average of 14 snaps (or 16%) per game. In truth, many players would serve as an upgrade at TE for the Patriots, but Jack Doyle comes to mind as a perfect fit.
Not only is he signed through the 2022 season, but his annual salary (~$5 million) should appease Belichick as it fits right in his region of preferences. Doyle has taken a step back following Andrew Luck’s retirement, but he was one of the most productive tight ends in the entire NFL with Luck under center. We’re sure Newton can help him out.
Throw in the fact that Doyle would only accentuate the Patriots’ elite rushing attack, and we really see no reason why they shouldn’t trade for him. At 30 years old, he still has plenty left in the tank.
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