The 2024 trade deadline is right around the corner, and who might be on the trade block is already beginning to be a hot topic for the Patriots. Although they are from a winning team, they are in the midst of a rebuild. They could benefit from trading some players for draft capital, especially since building the roster through incoming rookies appears to be the new regime's preference.
That alone makes New England a presumed seller over the next week and they have a few players that could easily be on their way out.
There is certainly an argument to be made that they should be bringing in talent rather than shipping them off, and to a degree, that is probably more accurate than the alternative. However, players who aren't part of the bigger plans moving forward and might be considered desirable by teams around the league would be worth the return for the Patriots' long-term plans.
Because of that, a few names come to mind when considering who the team might be willing to part with by November 5.
3 Patriots players who won't last through the end of October
LB Joshua Uche
One of the players who has been part of trade talks over the past two years is unlikely to escape that fate this season. Linebacker Joshua Uche was re-signed in free agency and took a pay cut to remain with the team compared to what others offered, but it was only a one-year deal.
That makes him an easy player to move on from if a team like the Lions is willing to offer decent draft compensation, even more so because he hasn't had the productive year that the Patriots were hoping for.
Because the linebackers have become a liability in recent weeks, Jerod Mayo made changes to the lineup, including seeing Uche spend more time on the bench than on the field. If that's any indication of his status, it's fair to assume he might be traded shortly.
WR K.J. Osborn
The receiving corps was one of the priorities throughout the offseason, mainly in the draft, but the Patriots made sure to sign a capable veteran to help make up for the loss of Kendrick Bourne, who was expected to miss the start of the regular season.
That played a significant role in their decision to sign K.J. Osborn, besides his impressive production during his time with the Vikings, playing behind Justin Jefferson.
He hasn't replicated that performance in New England thus far and was rumored to be a healthy scratch in Week 7 until Javon Baker was unable to play. That created some controversy on social media due to Osborn's Instagram post, and based on his response to the drama, it doesn't seem as though he wants to be on the Patriots much longer.
CB Jonathan Jones
This is a bit of a tricky one and not necessarily the best move for the Patriots secondary, but Jonathan Jones has been consistently named in trade proposals since the start of the 2024 offseason and that could mean he's on his way out by the trade deadline.
The 31-year-old has been a solid part of the team's cornerback group since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2016. His versatility and experience with some of the best Patriots teams during the second half of the dynasty are invaluable and make him a top candidate for opposing teams to want to trade for.
If the new regime wants to continue with the roster-building motto they seem to have adopted, then moving on from an aging cornerback who could bring them a good draft pick in return wouldn't be surprising.