Patriots Rumors: Trades on the way before 53-man roster deadline?

The New England Patriots proved that their pass rush is a force to be reckoned with during their final preseason game against New York Giants, as starters like Matt Judon and Josh Uche pressured Daniel Jones all night long. Even backups like Bill Murray, Montravius Adams and Akeem Spence had their moments.

Unfortunately for some of the players on the back end, the Patriots will need to get their roster down to 53 players before Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and that means some of their defensive line standouts will be unable to make it to Week 1.

With high-priced free agents like Judon and Davon Godchaux in addition to veterans like Lawrence Guy locks to make it onto the roster, there aren’t many spots remaining. Bill Belichick may be looking to offload some of those players in exchange for draft capital.

Per Albert Breer, the Patriots have started to field offers that may see them part ways with Spence and Adams. Considering how they have performed in the preseason, this represents solid value for whomever decides to make the trade.

The Patriots might trade some of their defensive linemen.

After spending the length of his rookie contract in Tampa Bay, Spence has become a bit of a nomad, seeing time in Detroit, Miami, and Jacksonville. He recorded nine tackles for New England last year, serving as a veteran backup that can eat some space on the interior of the defensive line.

A former top prospect out of Auburn, Adams never quite found a home with the Packers, recording just 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks during his four seasons in Green Bay. Adams has looked like a much more explosive pass rusher during his brief stint in New England, and that can be illustrated by his pressures against New York.

The trade for Shaun Wade shows that Belichick is more than willing to make some deals to either acquire draft capital for a player he doesn’t believe will make the roster or secure the rights to a player another team is undervaluing.

With Christian Barmore coming into his own, Uche and Judon looking ferocious off the edge, and new additions like Godchaux finally starting to look like the player the Patriots thought they were getting, Adams and Spence have become expendable.

At least the Patriots could potentially recoup a draft pick or two if they cut them loose in this fashion.

Patriots: Dont’a Hightower gives Josh Uche promising comparison

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