If the Patriots want to re-tool and sell at the trade deadline, here’s what Bill Belichick needs to do.
The New England Patriots are below .500 this late in the NFL season for the first time in 18 years, and though there are unfortunate circumstances that have contributed to that, it’s not crazy to see Bill Belichick selling a bit at the trade deadline in order to re-tool, grab draft picks, and get ready to really make a splash in 2021.
If Cam Newton returns to form, this team will be in great shape. All New England needs is a receiver and a tight end to reclaim contender status, but there are a few players the Pats don’t necessarily need at the moment if they’re not gunning for a Super Bowl in 2020.
A lot of teams out there will be looking for stability all over their roster given this uncertain season, and the Patriots have a lot of guys at key positions that can get Belichick a nice return in any deal.
We know this is hard to fathom, because when are the Patriots ever sellers? But in a year in which they’re clearly far from among the best in the AFC, Belichick think it’s a better idea to re-tool for next year. Here are three players the team should trade if they do unload at the deadline.
3. Rex Burkhead
The Patriots have too many running backs and Rex Burkhead could be a solid trade chip.
With the returns of Damien Harris and James White, coupled what we’ve seen in short bursts from JJ Taylor, the Patriots should easily be able to get by with that running back corps if Burkhead is sent packing. He won’t fetch a top pick, but some team would perhaps cough up a fifth-rounder at best for his services.
He’s dynamic out of the backfield, averaging 4.1 yards per rush as well as 8.4 yards per catch on the year. He averages nearly 50 total yards per game and provides a great change of pace for any offense. At worst, he’s a really good third-down back.
He’s making $2.9 million this year, so it’s doubtful teams will be hesitant when looking at that price tag. On the other hand, it’s money the Patriots just don’t need on the payroll at the moment. They can free up around $1.5 million when Burkhead is dealt and move on with the aforementioned backs plus Sony Michel, whenever he returns.
Trading from a position of surplus is the name of the game, and this is exactly that.
2. Joe Thuney
The Patriots could get a lot in return for Joe Thuney.
It’s rare we’d advocate for trading offensive linemen, but if the Patriots aren’t contending and there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to keep Joe Thuney beyond this season after the two sides failed to agree to an extension this summer, then why keep him when you can probably get a high draft pick in return?
Plus, if the Patriots were never keen on paying him in the first place, they won’t be this offseason, considering his value continues to skyrocket. Thuney, after mostly playing guard for his first four NFL seasons, is now playing center and tackle in 2020, and he’s doing a damn good job. His agent will certainly be using that as a bargaining chip in free agency.
By the time the deadline arrives, the Patriots should have the necessary reinforcements returning to action to absorb a potential Thuney trade. David Andrews just returned. Jermaine Eluemunor could be back in three weeks. And Mike Onwenu has been a revelation.
New England has been playing with a makeshift offensive line for a good portion of the season, so this won’t be anything new anyway. You have to think Belichick has a couple of solid guys on the practice squad ready to contribute if things get really bad, too.
Also, getting rid of Thuney’s big salary (over $14 million) could give the Pats an excuse to spend more this coming offseason.
1. Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore should be the Patriots’ top trade chip.
It’s tough to trade the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, but when you have a deep secondary like the Pats do, you can handle the loss, go with the guys you have, and free up some cash to pay someone like JC Jackson, who’s going to command more money in the offseason.
Gilmore’s under contract through next season, so teams in need of a top cornerback (who isn’t?) would be even more inclined to talk about a potential trade. At worst, Gilmore should fetch a second-round pick (but probably a first), and we only say that because he hasn’t been top-notch in 2020 and he carries a $17 million cap hit for 2021.
For as good as Gilmore is, Belichick’s defensive scheme continuously succeeds without bonafide stars. There’s no doubt this unit would be able to hold down the fort and remain competitive the rest of the year with Jackson, Jon Jones, Jason McCourty, Devin McCourty, Joejuan Willians, Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger.
This isn’t a knock on Gilmore, it’s just that there’s no need for a player of his caliber and price tag if the Patriots don’t think they can make a deep run in 2020. And there will be a fairly deep cornerback class in free agency this offseason, so if Belichick feels he needs another defensive back, he can easily get one with all of the Patriots’ cap space.
Still, the Pats do most of their heavy lifting through the draft, and a potential big haul for Gilmore would do wonders in getting the franchise back on track for 2021 and beyond.
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