One week out from the 2026 NFL trade deadline, it doesn't look like the Patriots plan to make any major moves to improve their roster, whether they bring a player in or ship someone out.
There are plenty of spots on the roster they could improve, which makes it easy to put together a list of the most dreamy trades they could make before November 10.
Many stars are rumored to be available, and although they don't have much cap space to make a move of any significance, they can't pass up the chance to inquire about some of the top stars headed for the trade block.
With many weaknesses across the roster, mainly due to the piling up of injuries that have landed 20 players on injured reserve since the start of the offseason, Eliot Wolf has a long list of players he could call about, some of whom would be immediate upgrades that could push them toward a serious playoff push.
Although these 9 players might be long-shot options, they're far too good for the Patriots to sit on their hands over the next week.
9 dream trade targets the Patriots could go all-in for before the 2026 deadline
RB Jonathan Taylor
Although running back might not be at the top of the list of the Patriots' biggest needs, and most fans wouldn't be too thrilled about a blockbuster trade for a player at that position, if someone like Jonathan Taylor were available and could be had, there's no reason for them to pass up the chance to bring him in.
The Colts star has arguably been a top-5 running back of the last five years, and he continues to prove his value in every game. He's the team's most consistent playmaker and thrives no matter who's at quarterback and what the offense looks like.
Adding him to the Patriots' backfield alongside Rhamondre Stevenson would give them the best 1-2 punch in the NFL and would surely erase their current running-game woes.
Taylor would give Drake Maye another reliable weapon to work with, as he is a dual threat who can also make an impact in the passing game, and that's the kind of star power the offense needs if they want to compete for Super Bowls in the immediate future.
WR Stefon Diggs
The receiving corps has been devastated by injuries this season, with A.J. Brown spending four games on injured reserve and missing last week's matchup with the Dolphins, Mack Hollins missing four games, and Romeo Doubs now on IR as well.
That has had many Patriots fans begging for Stefon Diggs' return, whom they never wanted the team to release in the first place. So if he's on the trade block before the deadline, then Mike Vrabel and Co. should make a move.
He was productive for the offense last season and became more valuable as a leader and mentor to his younger teammates. On top of that, he also helped the defense mid-game, something Christian Gonzalez raved about, and that would be a major boost at this stage of the season.
With Terry McLaurin done for the season, the Commanders likely won't want to move Diggs next week, which may be why he's a dream trade. But that shouldn't stop the Patriots from, at least, inquiring.
TE Dallas Goedert
Because Hunter Henry hasn't been as involved in the offense this year as many expected, plenty of rumors have circulated about whether his performance is declining and whether the Patriots need to add another veteran tight end to improve the room.
They're fortunate to have rookie Eli Raridon playing as well as he is, so the TE group isn't a total lost cause, and Henry has stepped it up in recent weeks. But if a player like Dallas Goedert were available, they'd be hard-pressed to pass on the opportunity to make a trade.
The 31-year-old wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade over Henry because of his age, but he has a knack for getting into the end zone that we haven't seen from the veteran this season. In 2025, Goedert scored 11 touchdowns, the most of his career, and he could accomplish that again with Maye.
We've seen how much the quarterback loves to prioritize tight ends on game day, and if Henry is going to miss time after last week's injury, a trade for Goedert would solve a lot of problems.
NT Vita Vea
Some argue the Patriots need help on their defensive line, despite rumors that they want to move Christian Barmore, who has been nothing short of productive so far this season.
They do, however, need a true nose tackle, which makes Vita Vea an intriguing dream trade option.
He looked like he was on his way out of Tampa Bay earlier this season when he wanted a new contract, which the Bucs took a while to agree to, but they might consider moving him in hopes of getting a decent return before he walks away for nothing in free agency.
That's where a dream trade for the Patriots comes in, as they could make a move for arguably the best nose tackle the league has had in recent years. He is stellar against the run, which has been a weakness for the defense this year, and he's not too shabby at getting to quarterbacks, either.
EDGE Josh Sweat
As one of the clearest weaknesses on the current roster, the Patriots need to make a move for a pass rusher before it's too late. Based on the latest rumors around Josh Sweat, he could be their top option.
The 29-year-old wanted out of Arizona earlier this season, but the Cardinals refused to trade him. Now that their season is going down the drain, they could trade him away for some solid draft assets, and the Patriots should be all over it.
He's coming off a season in which he recorded a career-high 12 sacks, and although he's not on pace to replicate that this year, he's still bringing pressure to quarterbacks, and his experience would be a huge plus for the current inexperienced pass rush.
LG Landon Dickerson
With several injuries across the offensive line, most notably RG Mike Onwenu and LG Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Patriots need help to stabilize the group if they want to remain competitive through the end of the season.
Trading for a player like Landon Dickerson, who can play either guard position, would accomplish that right away, which in turn makes Drake Maye's job much easier, as well as the running game, which hasn't excelled this season so far.
The 3-time Pro Bowler has been one of the league's most consistent linemen over the last few years, and the Patriots currently lack that kind of reliability at guard, even if a few backups have proven better than expected.
Installing Dickerson at either right or left guard would not only help the offensive line for the rest of the season, but could also be a long-term solution if they change their mind about Vera-Tucker or pass on re-signing Onwenu in free agency.
DL Alex Highsmith
One of the most apparent weaknesses of the Patriots' linebacker group this season is their missed-tackle rate, speed, and inconsistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
One way to address that is to trade with the Steelers for OLB Alex Highsmith, who has recorded 26 pressures through 8 games this season. Because they chose to extend Nick Herbig to a massive new contract, it's fair to assume Highsmith is available, and the Patriots have plenty of reasons to inquire.
Perhaps the most prominent reason is Harold Landry's uncertain future, as he remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list with no clear indication he will play during the 2026 season.
They need help on the edge and at linebacker, and Highsmith excels at it all. He could be an immediate and long-term fix, and that makes him even more desirable to trade for.
RB Derrick Henry
Imagine the most incredible dream trade possible now that Mike Vrabel is the head coach of the New England Patriots. Is there anything more dreamlike than trading for one of the best running backs in NFL history?
Reuniting with Derrick Henry would certainly kick things into high gear for the Patriots, and it will probably take everything, including the kitchen sink, to convince the Ravens to let him go. But at this point, it looks like their season is a wash now that Lamar Jackson is having season-ending surgery, so they might be more willing to move on from Henry than they usually would.
Although Vrabel didn't draft the superstar, he spent six years with the head coach during his time in Tennessee. That's where he became an undisputed superstar, recording five seasons of 1,000+ rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns.
Henry became the face of the Titans' offense, which isn't the case in Baltimore, but he could return to that form if the Patriots somehow managed to acquire him.
WR Josh Downs
Like the Henry dream, the idea of bringing Drake Maye and Josh Downs back together in the NFL is something Patriots fans have been talking about over the past month. Because the Colts appear to be in the midst of a fire sale, it's fair to assume the wide receiver will be dealt before the deadline.
One of the more sensible landing spots is New England, since the quarterback and receiver excelled in their one season together at UNC. Although the Patriots already have a similar player in DeMario Douglas, the chemistry between Maye and Downs is clear, and having them together this season would only make the offense better.
The 25-year-old has already recorded 30 catches for 330 yards and a touchdown, continuing his rise to the top for the Colts while Alec Pierce is sidelined due to an injury.
Because Pierce received a contract extension last year, and Downs is playing on the final year of his, it would make sense for Indianapolis to move him now when they can get something in return rather than watching him leave in free agency next spring, and that's an opportunity the Patriots could jump on.
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