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The New England Patriots should sell at the deadline

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 11: Nelson Agholor #15 of the New England Patriots looks on during warm ups ahead of the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 11: Nelson Agholor #15 of the New England Patriots looks on during warm ups ahead of the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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With their loss on Monday night, and their quarterback uncertainty, the Patriots should consider selling at the trade deadline.  The uncertainty brewing in New England with their quarterback situation should prompt the team to sell at the deadline.

I think if the team were to have won on Monday night and Bailey Zappe played reasonably well, the conversation would be different.  I, for one, think that Zappe might have something in him.  However, it’s way too early to tell, and the odds of a mid-round pick and undersized quarterback turning into a franchise quarterback are very, very low.

The quarterback situation in New England should prompt the team to be sellers at the deadline.  I do think the team can get to 5-4 at the bye week, but their second half schedule is brutal, which includes both divisional games against the Dolphins, two games against the Bills, and a game against the Bengals.

I just don’t think the Patriots have a ton of firepower on their roster to continue scratching and clawing their way back in and out of the playoff race.  It might be smart for the long-term to sell off a few players to get some draft capital and re-tool.  Thankfully, the team does not have a ton of glaring holes on their roster.

The Patriots also do have some moveable players including Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Isaiah Wynn.  There is no need for a fire sale, but trading a player or two should be on the table.  Draft picks are king in the NFL, and the team has an avenue to acquire some more.

The quarterback situation is a different story, but the situation should prompt the team to tell.  Being that I think the three most likely candidates to be sold are on the offensive side, that makes it more likely that we see them moved.

Both Bourne and Agholor could help teams who might have a struggling aerial attack.  Offensive play is down across the league, so perhaps they could be of service elsewhere.  Isaiah Wynn has struggled this year, but could see a career revival somewhere else, and the league is always looking for competent offensive line play.

Something has to prompt the Patriots to buy or sell at the deadline, and I think this is it.

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