Trade destinations for Patriots’ players who can be traded
The New England Patriots could be sellers at the trade deadline. What would be the best landing spots for players who could be traded? The team is at the bottom looking up unfortunately, and their next game might make the situation even worse.
The trade deadline is on November 1st, so we’ll get the next week of games totally out of the way before teams decide whether or not to hold firm, sell, or be buyers. It’s not likely that the Patriots are going to be buyers, but rather more likely that they traded a player or two.
Among the players on the team that could be traded, which destination makes the most sense? I am not saying that all of the players in this article will be moved, but rather the spot that might make the most sense.
New England Patriots who could be traded
Isaiah Wynn, OL
Isaiah Wynn is a clear favorite to be traded. He’s had a brutal 2022 season, beginning by essentially being demoted to right tackle, where he has not played well, and has effectively been benched for Marcus Cannon. Wynn is a former first round pick and is playing on his fifth year option.
He most definitely not be re-signed by the team, so getting a draft pick for him is the smart route here. The most obvious destination in my opinion is the Los Angeles Rams, who have a window open to compete even if they are enduring a down season. They seem to be so far into the window and extremely willing to part with draft capital.
Their offensive line has been abysmal this year and has battled injuries. Wynn could come in and immediately start for them at most spots along the line. The Rams simply need something resembling a reinforcement along the offensive front.
The NFC is weak this year, and the NFC West is still wide open, so making a smart move like this that would not cost a lot makes sense.
Kendrick Bourne, WR
After an 800 yard year one in New England, Bourne has seemed to have fallen out of favor in New England. Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor, and Hunter Henry all have more receiving yards than Bourne, who is on a $15 million contract.
He’s a solid 2 or high end 3 type of player who can definitely find more snaps on a new team. Given the bit of surplus the Patriots have in this room and the potential development of Tyquan Thornton, trading a receiver makes sense, and I think the team could get a mid-early late round pick for him.
The team that sticks out the most the most to be just traded a receiver, and that’s the New York Giants, who are somehow 6-1 and are in dire need of another pass catcher. Bourne could see most of the offensive snaps in New York and would likely have a much higher volume in the passing game.
Nelson Agholor, WR
The next player who could be moved is Nelson Agholor, who is in a similar boat to Bourne. Signed for more money than Bourne before the 2021 season, Agholor only managed 473 receiving yards and three touchdowns, much less yardage than Kendrick Bourne, who is signed for half the cost.
Agholor still has value and is a veteran receiver with consistent production in a WR2.5/WR3 type of role. He has value to a contending team who might need a little boost in the passing game. I don’t think it would make much sense at all to send him to a rebuilding team that needs a weapon like the Chicago Bears.
Nelson Agholor is on the last year of his deal and will not be re-signed by the Patriots, in my view. With the recent news of Ja’Marr Chase needing to miss several weeks, why wouldn’t the Bengals take a stab at Agholor?