The New England Patriots haven't been as dominant as they were last season, but they're far from a bottom feeder. They can still win the division, and they have the talent to make another deep postseason run in the second year of the Mike Vrabel era.
However, it takes much more than just talent to go the distance in this league. Football is a physical game, and injuries are a part of it. The Patriots have learned that the hard way this season, and no team gets healthier as the season advances.
That's why Eliot Wolf and company should be working the phones to ensure this team's thin depth doesn't hold them back in the second half of the season. With the trade deadline looming large, it's time they make some moves.
4 roster spots the Patriots should address before the trade deadline
Wide receiver
A.J. Brown's addition hasn't made the impact the fans hoped for. He's barely played because of injuries, and even when he's been on the field, he hasn't been much of a factor. Romeo Doubs is also on Injured Reserve, and Mack Hollins missed time as well.
While this wide receiver corps is better than some fans give them credit for, they don't have a clear-cut go-to guy when Brown isn't on the field. Maybe they can target George Pickens after another disappointing Cowboys season, or perhaps Brian Thomas Jr. or Jerry Jeudy.
Secondary depth
The Patriots have a true superstar at cornerback in Christian Gonzalez, but they're otherwise pretty regular. Carlton Davis III and Charles Wood have been banged up, and their pass defense ranks right in the middle of the pack (217.2 passing yards allowed per game, 13th).
Kevin Byard hasn't been the elite, game-changing addition they hoped he'd be at safety, and this team could be one injury away from a defensive catastrophe. They don't need a superstar, but they definitely need more bodies there.
Running back
Rhamondre Stevenson has struggled with ball security for most of his career. He's had only a couple of fumbles this season, but it always feels like it's only a matter of time before he puts the ball on the floor again.
With TreVeyon Henderson also dealing with a complex illness, the Patriots should be extremely active in the market for another workhorse running back. They rank 12th in the league in rushing yards per game (123.1), and adding a veteran like Tony Pollard should only help drive that number up.
Pass-rushing unit
While young players like Gabe Jacas and Elijah Ponder have shown flashes this season, this team lacks a blue-blood headhunter to lean on. They were tied to Maxx Crosby in the offseason, and Khalil Mack also makes perfect sense as a potential trade target.
The Patriots' pass rush has been much better than the names on that unit suggest, but one can only wonder how long they can be sustained. Super Bowl champions are elite at keeping quarterbacks on their toes.
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