If there’s one thing we learned about Bill Belichick this offseason, it’s that he has every intention of competing in the playoffs again after he missed out in 2020.
While the de facto general manager has morphed the New England Patriots back into a playoff-caliber team, they have a lot of room for improvement before we can even think about vaulting them into the championship conversation.
However, that could change if they made a few more blockbuster moves, and there’s still plenty of time remaining in the offseason for that to happen.
The only question the Patriots have to ask themselves is which player(s) would take them over the top.
You’d be surprised how many players in the league are disgruntled with their current teams. In other words, the Patriots should have no shortage of targets, especially considering they still have close to $15 million remaining in salary cap space.
Luckily for them (not really), we’ve taken the initiative and identified some potential players Belichick and Co. should pursue via trade.
Here are three trades the Patriots could make with their leftover cap space.
3. Help Odell Beckham Jr. Become a Star Again
The only reason Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t fall higher on this list is because he’s been linked with a move to the Patriots for years and nothing came close to materializing. However, the sheer intrigue behind such a blockbuster trade is impossible to ignore.
Anybody who watched the Browns last season knows their offense functioned more efficiently without Beckham, who had his year cut short due to a torn ACL. The 28-year-old superstar has never really fit in Cleveland’s system since they acquire him via trade two years ago, and the Patriots should look to free him from his situation.
Beckham has been adamant in declaring his allegiance to the Browns and that he cares about winning more than individual accolades. However, something tells us he’d much rather star in an offense than be a passenger who pops off for the occasional big game.
Odell Beckham Jr. would complete the Patriots’ offense.
That could change with the Patriots.
Beckham has three years left on his contract with an average of $14 million in annual salary, so the Patriots would have no problem absorbing that onto their payroll. And for all those fans claiming he’d be a poor cultural fit, do you really think Belichick wouldn’t put him in his place?
We all know New England’s offense is lacking a game-breaking wide receiver, and acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler via trade would put those concerns to bed in swift fashion. Again, we’re not sure it’s in the realm of possibility, but Beckham’s evident lack of chemistry with Baker Mayfield proves his future in Cleveland is anything but a sure thing.
2. Pluck Jordan Hicks Out of Arizona
The Patriots will welcome the return of Dont’a Hightower with open arms after he opted out of last season following the birth of his son. There were rumors he could retire, but he ultimately nipped those in the bud and will assume his place in the middle of the defense.
With that being said, however, the Patriots linebacking corps leaves a lot to be desired even following the re-signing of Kyle Van Noy. There’s reason to believe Hightower lost a step after missing a full season, and the options behind him don’t inspire much confidence.
After all, Ja’Whaun Bentley isn’t a proven commodity, the jury is still out on Raekwon McMillan, and the likes of Anfernee Jennings and Terez Hall, both of whom entered the fold after last year’s draft, lack the required experience.
Jordan Hicks could fortify the Patriots’ linebacking corps.
Taking that into account, the Patriots could absolutely justify targeting Jordan Hicks, who was granted permission by the Cardinals to seek a trade after they drafted Tulsa standout Zaven Collins with the No. 16 overall pick last month to replace him as the starter.
This gesture, for lack of a better term, was viewed as a surprise among analysts, and understandably so, given that Hicks was invaluable over his two seasons in Arizona.
During that span, Hicks appeared in all 32 games and played 96% of the defensive snaps, registering 268 tackles (22 for loss), four interceptions, 10 passes defended, eight quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and 12 total pressures.
When you consider the Cardinals conceded all of their leverage by granting Hicks permission to seek a trade, the Patriots might be able to acquire him for a relatively cheap haul. With that in mind, the least they could do is get Arizona on the phone.
1. Trade for Julio Jones
The Patriots wide receiving corps underwent a facelift this offseason, but any sane fan would admit it still pales in comparison to some of the best the league has to offer.
As things stand, New England currently has a trio of possession-based WRs, including free agent acquisitions Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, as well as 2020 breakout star Jakobi Meyers, who led the team in every major category last season.
In other words, the Patriots need a clear-cut No. 1 option. Luckily for them, the Falcons are reportedly fielding offers for Julio Jones, who, despite entering his age-32 season, is still arguably the greatest single mismatch at the position.
The Patriots should inquire about a trade for Falcons star Julio Jones.
Jones would fit perfectly in New England for a myriad of reasons. Not only is he a soft-spoken superstar (meaning he’d embrace the culture) who would make their offense a legitimate juggernaut, but his contract wouldn’t cripple them financially, either.
Whether it be a hamstring, ankle or foot issue, the former No. 6 overall pick is seemingly always dealing with an annoying injury. However, despite being limited to just nine games last year, he’s appeared in at least 14 games in every seasons dating back to 2014.
The only financial hoop the Patriots would have to jump through to make his three-year, $66 million extension work is converting some of his $23 million salary into a signing bonus. As long as Belichick is cool with that, he shouldn’t think twice about pursuing Jones.
We haven’t addressed the impact he’d make on new England’s offense, but that kind of goes without saying at this point in his career, right?
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