Patriots: 3 huge missed opportunities at trade deadline

2. Call Giants About Matt Peart

During the 2020 NFL Draft, Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart was on the Patriots’ radar, but the New York Giants swiped him in the third round (99th pick). New England waited too long.

Before Week 5, Peart had played in just 19 snaps this season. Last year, he appeared in only 11 games and saw 22% of the snaps. He’s taken on a bigger role since left tackle Andrew Thomas hit injured reserve with multiple injuries.

Long story short, Thomas should be back relatively soon, the Giants lost another game and won’t be going to the playoffs this year, and the Patriots need help on both ends of the offensive line. Isaiah Wynn isn’t exactly what you’d call a franchise left tackle and Trent Brown has played just seven snaps in 2021.

Perhaps the Patriots like their new OL alignment with Wynn at left tackle, Ted Karras at LG, David Andrews at center, Shaq Mason at RG, and Michael Onwenu at right tackle. But is this the long-term plan? Poaching a guy like Peart, who is being underutilized on a bad Giants team, would’ve at least been worth a call given how he can help the Pats in 2021 and beyond.

He could start at either tackle position, and you know how much Belichick values versatility. Maybe the Giants didn’t want to get rid of him, but it’s not like they’ve convinced us of that with the way they’ve used him over his first two seasons.